In the U.S., supermarket sales of prepared refrigerated foods reached $9.5 billion in 2001, according to Food Spectrum, Martinsville, N.J., a consulting and research organization. The company anticipates growth to over $12 billion by 2005.
“Much of the growth in this market can be attributed to prepared component products that significantly reduce meal preparation times,” says Casey Roberts, vice president of market research, Food Spectrum. “We see more retail products that offer a unique point of difference by integrating refrigerated components that help consumers prepare fresh, home-made meals in a fraction of the time.”