The frozen products sector held steady, closing 2023 with 645 thousand tonnes of domestic consumption, an encouraging figure especially when compared to 2019, recording growth of 9.4% (589 thousand tonnes).
It is the photograph taken by Iias - Italian Institute of Frozen Food in view of the 'Frozen Food Day' on March 6th.
A figure slightly down by 1.2% compared to 2022, however expected after years of record growth and the many economic difficulties.
"2023 was a year with many difficulties - comments President Giorgio Donegani - from the problems with the supply of raw materials, recorded in the first months of the year and caused by extreme climatic events, to the critical issues encountered by logistics and transport at global, until inflation continues, especially in the food sector".
Among the most consumed products are vegetables with 215 thousand tonnes (+1.1% on 2019), potatoes with 110 thousand tonnes (+35.8%) and natural and breaded fish with 92 thousand tonnes (+2.25%) .
Also worth highlighting in 2023 is the boom in frozen ready meals, which increased by 34.3% between 2019 and 2023. A separate discussion for the frozen pizza sector where, in the face of double-digit increases in 2020-2021, There has been an adjustment due to the recovery in out-of-home consumption.
Finally, the offer has become increasingly varied, with the introduction of new formats and ingredients, the use of wholemeal or kamut flours and gluten-free versions, to also meet the needs of consumers.
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