The popularity of Basmati rice continues to grow

by jellybean creative - 17/02/2010

"According to Mintel’s last Rice, Noodles and Pasta report1 there was a massive 22.5% rise in retail sales in this category between 2007 and 2009, but the highest value growth has come from rice, up 32% against 21.4% for pasta and 11.5% for noodles. "

Of course there are several factors to be considered but you only need to look into the detail to see that the popularity of Basmati is continuing to grow with consumers, as are other speciality rices such as Risotto and Thai Jasmine.

We are still a nation of spud-lovers, but the trend is changing...

Stay ahead of the game by matching your menu offering to the changing tastes of the consumer; you should be offering more rice as the adventurous British palates are discovering the different varieties, but especially Basmati. The following table2 shows how the monthly consumption of rice, noodles, pasta and potatoes has changed over the last four years.

         2004 (g)        2005 (g)         2006 (g)         2007 (g)        % change 2004 - 2007
Rice         79         90         87         94         +19
Pasta         81         89         87         92         +14
Noodles^        1         1         1         1         -
Potatoes ^^ 822         842         810         781         -5

^ Includes takeaway noodles
^^ Includes fresh and processed potatoes

The biggest sub-category within dry rice is Basmati, accounting for over half of all rice eaten in the UK, yet many out of home menus feature long grain, if rice features at all. Meals eaten out of home with rice as a key ingredient amount to only 2.3% of total meals consumed!3 Couple this with the fact that branded rice out-sold own label rice in supermarkets during 20081 and it is clear that the consumer understands the benefits of eating a high quality, premium rice. In fact, of 940 people surveyed4 aged 16+, who eat rice,

More Details: http://www.foodindustrycareers.co.uk