What is the reason for the increase in demand for frozen foods? Explaining industry needs and new trends in the food market

In recent years, the frozen food market has expanded rapidly. Behind this is a variety of factors, including changes in consumer lifestyles and advances in food freezing technology. So, what are the actual factors influencing trends in the frozen food market?

In this article, we will explain in detail why frozen foods are attracting attention, the needs of the food industry, and the latest trends.

Why is frozen food soaring in popularity?

In recent years, the popularity of frozen foods has skyrocketed. Why are frozen foods becoming so popular? Here we will explain why frozen foods are so popular.

Increased demand for frozen foods based on data

According to the `` Internet Survey on the Use of Frozen Foods'' conducted by MyVoicecom Co., Ltd. in 2022, the number of users of frozen foods accounted for approximately 85% of the total. More than half of them pick up frozen foods at least once a week. Approximately 30% of people feel that they have started using frozen foods more often due to the influence of the new coronavirus.

Many users cited the benefits of frozen foods as ``long-term storage,'' ``fast preparation,'' and ``simple procedures.''​

Other responses include ``It can reduce cooking time'' and ``It can be used in small amounts.'' Approximately 70% of people are particularly concerned about flavor and cost when purchasing, and the richness of flavor is likely to be a key factor in further promoting usage.

Find out why frozen foods are so popular

If you look at reviews about frozen foods, you'll see many comments such as ``delicious,'' ``easy,'' and ``easy to use.'' In particular, regardless of gender or age, there is a tendency for food to be popular because it ``saves the effort of cooking'' and ``can be used in small amounts.''

As people are refraining from eating out more and more people are spending more time at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, the need for "easy cooking" is increasing. It can be said that frozen foods are highly rated for their excellent shelf life and the convenience of being able to take out and cook only the required amount.

On the other hand, there is also a strong demand for delicious food. In recent years, thanks to advancements in refrigeration technology, the number of high-quality frozen foods has increased, and word-of-mouth feedback suggests that customer satisfaction is increasing. The key point will be to continue pursuing deliciousness while promoting ease of use.

Latest trends and featured products in frozen foods

Frozen foods that are easy to prepare are becoming more popular due to the coronavirus pandemic. The frozen food market is steadily growing, and the proportion of people in their 60s and older who purchase frozen food has been increasing since around 2013.

When we think of frozen foods, we tend to think of them as being used by the younger generation, but this may also be due to the fact that they have become tastier and the number of health-conscious products is increasing.

Looking at products by product, sales of frozen products such as gyoza and ramen are increasing, and their size and ease of use are being praised. In contrast, sales of chilled foods such as gyoza and ramen have plateaued.

Among frozen foods, sales of hamburgers, udon noodles, and gratin have also increased compared to the previous year.

In the future, it is expected that the variety of frozen foods will increase and products that meet specific consumer demands will be developed.

​The potential of the frozen food market is enormous, as evolving refrigeration technology is further improving the taste of frozen foods. Retailers are looking for a rich lineup of frozen foods tailored to consumers.

Current status and future prospects of the frozen food industry

Frozen food is said to have its prototype as early as the 1940s.

Japan's frozen food industry continues to grow as its deliciousness continues to improve. Let's take a closer look at the current state of the frozen food industry and its future trends.

Efforts by frozen food manufacturers and industry needs

According to the ``Survey Results on the Usage of Frozen Foods'' released by the Japan Frozen Foods Association in April 2023, the reasons why both men and women used frozen foods were ``It's easy and convenient to prepare'' and ``It's delicious.'' ``Because of the increase,'' he said.

In order to meet these consumer needs, frozen food manufacturers have been focusing on creating frozen foods that retain their delicious taste using new freezing technology.

Furthermore, in order to reduce the hassle of disposing of the waste generated when frozen foods are used, the development of paper-based packaging is also progressing.

In response to the negative impression that frozen foods tend to have, such as ``not being tasty or nutritious,'' the frozen foods industry as a whole is working to develop products that make full use of the latest technology.

It can be said that these corporate efforts have led to the current strong sales.

Other efforts by the industry include establishing and maintaining efficient logistics (cold chain) and being considerate to the environment.

The rise of paid frozen food specialty stores and its reasons

In recent years, the number of frozen food specialty stores has increased. This is because consumers are now demanding higher quality products as the quality and variety of frozen foods have improved.

Specialty stores meet consumer needs by offering unique products that are not available at regular supermarkets or convenience stores.

A representative example of a frozen food specialty store is AEON Retail's frozen food specialty store @FROZEN. Aeon Retail is proceeding with the development of @FROZEN and plans to open 5 stores by the end of 2023.

@FROZEN aims to bring new appeal to frozen foods, and has already opened its first store in Chiba Prefecture.

The store carries over 1,500 frozen foods for a variety of dining occasions, from breakfast to dinner.

We are also working hard to develop limited edition products that recreate the flavors of famous local and international stores. Furthermore, @FROZEN's products can be purchased online, and it is also unique that they offer home delivery and cold bag services.

Technological trends and future prospects in frozen food development

Frozen foods have not only served the purpose of preserving food, but have also become extremely delicious. The development of frozen foods is progressing in new directions as technology advances.

Here, we will explain in detail the technological trends and future prospects.

Evolution of preservation technology and its impact on frozen quality

Did you know that the quality of frozen foods has significantly improved due to advances in freezing technology in recent years?

In particular, advances in rapid freezing technology have made it possible to preserve food for long periods without sacrificing its freshness or nutritional value.

As a result, the taste and texture of frozen foods have improved compared to before, and they are receiving high praise from consumers.

So, what kind of preservation techniques are there? Below, we will explain our rapid freezer "Artlock Freezer" as an example.

Artlock Freezer uses "AI Smart Freeze" to automatically set the optimal freezing settings according to the type and condition of the food. For example, even if you put hot food that has just been cooked directly into the freezer, you can adjust the temperature to freeze it without affecting other ingredients.

In addition, a special fan design achieves uniform freezing throughout the refrigerator, eliminating variations in quality depending on where food is placed. Furthermore, the "Freeze Protection" function prevents refrigerator failure and quality deterioration.

Thanks to these technologies, it is now possible to freeze food more easily and with higher quality, taking the quality of frozen foods to a new level.

The central frozen food manufacturer and its planning strategy

Leading frozen food manufacturers are leading the market with new product development and marketing strategies.

In particular, efforts are being made to meet the diverse needs of consumers, such as research into authentic frozen dishes supervised by chefs and the development of new products that incorporate healthy ingredients.

Here we introduce the planning strategy of Ajinomoto Frozen Foods, a leading frozen food manufacturer.

Ajinomoto Frozen Foods is a company that continues to lead the frozen food market, with ``Gyoza'' being the best-selling product in the industry for 19 consecutive years.

The Director of Product Strategy in the Marketing Division has set the standard for product development as ``what only we can do,'' and believes it is important to provide new value.

A major feature of our corporate strategy is that we have a policy of not imitating or following suit.

In 2021, we will release ``The★Hamburger'', which overturns the conventional wisdom of frozen hamburgers.

Although the gyoza is a signature product, the recipe was changed and the company succeeded in attracting new customers. It was also served at the Olympic Village at the Tokyo Olympics.

Changes in consumer frozen food usage and awareness

Let's take a closer look at the usage of frozen foods and changes in consumer awareness.

Why frozen foods are convenient, their convenient functions and user trends

Frozen foods have a long shelf life and are easy to prepare, making them extremely convenient for busy modern people.

Advances in refrigeration technology are a trend that is being embraced by health-conscious consumers, as they can better preserve the nutritional value of food.

A wide variety of products are now available on the market, including frozen seafood, vegetables, and even pre-cooked meals, all of which can be prepared quickly. While pursuing convenience, there is also a tendency to not compromise on taste.

In addition to traditional retail stores, purchases are also increasingly being made through online supermarkets, making it easy to select and purchase frozen foods anytime and anywhere.

In this way, frozen foods have become an increasingly indispensable part of our daily diet.

Frequency of frozen foods in home freezers and dining tables

Frozen foods are frequently used in daily life. In particular, it is common for home freezers to be stocked with various types of frozen foods.

According to Maruha Nichiro's consumer survey conducted in 2021, the number of frozen foods in household freezers was 4.7 in 2019 and 5.2 in 2021.

Additionally, 78.5% of respondents said they use frozen foods more than once a month, and over 50% said they use frozen foods more than 2-3 days a week.

When asked about frozen foods that appeal to them, the first answer was ``It can be made with just a microwave,'' the second place was ``Frozen food is a menu item that requires a lot of effort,'' and the third place was ``You can get plenty of vegetables.'' did.

In order to produce frozen foods that meet these consumer needs, it is essential to introduce rapid freezer equipped with advanced freezing technology. Our ``Artlock Freezer'' mentioned earlier is also equipped with advanced refrigeration technology to meet consumer needs.

Reference: ~Maruha Nichiro “Frozen Food Survey 2021”~

Conclusion

The frozen food market is evolving in new directions as technology evolves and consumer needs change. By utilizing the latest technology such as rapid freezer, we expect to be able to offer even higher quality and more diverse products.

Frozen foods will continue to establish themselves as an essential part of our diet.

When developing new frozen foods, please consider installing rapid freezer opens up a variety of possibilities.

If you are interested in the Artlock Freezer, which is a rapid freezer please contact us.