In January 2024, Conagra Brands, Inc. entered into a strategic partnership with global entertainment icon Dolly Parton to develop a range of Dolly Parton-named retail foods, including frozen, refrigerated, grocery, and snack foods in the Duncan Hines mix line. The move will help the company expand its portfolio and gain a higher share in the frozen bakery space.
In October 2023, Kellogg Company finished separating its North American cereal business, creating two standalone, public companies, including Kellogg Company and WK Kellogg Company. The business portfolio of Kellogg Company comprises snacking, cereal, noodles, frozen breakfast, and plant-based foods.
In September of 2023, Grupo Bimbo stated that it plans to invest USD 100 million to add capacity to its Pilar bread-producing line in the Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The move will enable the firm to grow overall revenue and augment its frozen baker portfolio in Latin America.
In August 2023, General Mills revealed an investment of USD 49 million to increase its frozen dough plant capacity in Missouri, the United States. The plant is expected to be finished in early 2024, and the addition of the facility will allow for the production of nearly 1 billion pounds of frozen dough products annually. The plan will add more than 30,000 square feet of plant space and help meet the increasing demand for frozen bakery products in the food service channel across the U.S.
The frozen pastries industry has undergone significant change from its humble beginnings of frozen dough. Nowadays, it's a vibrant industry powered by innovation, convenience-driven consumer demand, and an increasing appetite for high-quality gourmet products. Recent trends in technology, sustainability, and diversity of products have transformed the market, making frozen pastries more sought after than ever.
New Technological Developments in Freezing Methods
One of the most important recent developments in the sector is the technological improvement in freezing. The old ways of freezing used to disrupt the texture and flavor of pastries, but innovations like blast freezing and cryogenic freezing have swept the process off its feet.
These new techniques allow for rapid cooling, which keeps foods fresh, flavorful, and textured. This means pastries retain their layered crusts, dense fillings, and authentic flavor from the moment they're baked until they're eaten fresh at home. The result is a product that's not just convenient but of higher quality.
Today's consumers are healthier and more adventurous than ever before. This trend has resulted in a high demand for healthier frozen pastry products, such as gluten-free, vegan, and organic products. Manufacturers are now innovating with new ingredients such as plant-based fats, whole grains, and superfoods to satisfy these demands.
The future of frozen pastries is bright, and continued innovation is expected to drive the industry even further. Clean-label products, functional ingredients, and sustainable packaging are trends that will continue dominating the market. As consumer patterns shift, so will the industry, offering products that meet both taste needs and health-driven requirements.
According to Coherent Market Insights (CMI), the will grow at a 4.8% CAGR during the period of evaluation and the overall industry size will be estimated at US$ 3,168.6 million by 2032. This reflects the sector's flexibility and ability to get better in response to changing consumer needs.
Source:
E-commere Platform: ET Hospitality, Food Engineering Magazine.
