New Purchasing Habits for Ready and Semi-Ready Meals in the U.S. Mean Significant Business Opportunities for the Food Industry

The Food Sector Can Seize the Moment and Take Advantage of Favorable Conditions to Enter a Market Projected to Quadruple Online Sales by 2023

Numerous Indicators Signal a Growing and Unprecedented Shift in American Food Preferences

Traditional Italian Dishes are Blending With American Habits and Tastes, Opening Vast Opportunities for Restaurateurs and Ready-Meal Producers

Italian Agri-Food Exports to the United States Are on the Rise From the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco: Between January and October 2018, total sales of Italian food products in the United States reached approximately $4.3 billion, marking a +9.5% increase compared to 2017. Olive oil, pasta, cheese, mineral water, wine, and balsamic vinegar remain the leading sectors driving Italian food exports to America. Italy reaffirms its global leadership as a top supplier to the United States. In the first 10 months of 2018: Exports of Italian ice cream, baked goods, and coffee to the U.S. grew to $220 million   Italy reclaimed its position as the third-largest supplier of processed meats to the U.S., reaching $47 million in exports   Italian wine exports to the U.S. rose to $1.65 billion, reflecting a +9.3% increase compared to 2017

As consumers increasingly seek ways to simplify meal preparation, supermarkets are responding with a growing selection of highly convenient products—ranging from fresh ingredients to partially prepared meals and even full-service ready-to-eat options.

This shift in food trends in the U.S., particularly in major urban areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, is once again driven by Millennials, who are playing a crucial role in reshaping American eating habits and lifestyle choices.

Let’s look at the impact of the specialty food sector in America: in 2017, approximately two-thirds of U.S. consumers spent a substantial $140.3 billion on specialty food purchases across retail and foodservice channels, marking an 11% increase compared to 2015 (Source: 2018 State of the Specialty Food Industry Report - Specialty Food Association in collaboration with Mintel).

Retail sales of plant-based foods in the U.S. have grown by 17% over the past 12 months, with total sales surpassing $3.7 billion, according to Nielsen and the Good Food Institute. Additionally, Technomic forecasts a significant rise in the sales of meat-free food products in the restaurant sector throughout 2019.

A New Purchasing and Consumption Trend is Emerging in the U.S., Favoring Traditional Ready and Semi-Ready Meals With a Preference for Plant-Based or Meat-Free Options, Often Available Via E-Commerce

Another strong indicator of this shift in consumer preferences is the recent acquisition of Plated by Albertsons.

This move marks one of the latest strategic plays as the California-based supermarket chain seeks to establish a foothold in the rapidly growing ready-meal delivery niche, where sales are continuously rising in the U.S.

Several other retailers have launched their own meal kit offerings, which typically include pre-measured ingredients required to prepare a recipe for two to four people. The American supermarket chain Kroger Co., headquartered in Cincinnati, is rolling out its Prep+Pared meal kit line, while Laxeland is following suit with its Grembiuli line.