Spreads Market Research Reports & Industry Analysis
Companies have combated the “bad rap” of margarine by creating spreads that are not hydrogenated or ones in which the trans fatty acids have been removed. These new fat-free and low-fat margarines have virtually no trans fatty acids at all. Other companies combine their butter and their margarine products, providing taste with fewer trans fatty acids. Marketers have also discovered the beneficial aspects of margarine-like spreads that lower cholesterol, tapping into the highly-profitable nutraceuticals market.
Benecol, manufactured by the McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit of Johnson & Johnson and developed in Finland in conjunction with Raisio, was the first spread to introduce cholesterol-reducing ingredients: stanol esters made from pine tree extract. Plant stanol esters have been proven at the Mayo Clinic to reduce LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, by 14% with regular use (three servings per day for two weeks). Unilever/Best Foods’ Lipton division’s Take Control margarine substitute came out in the market at the same time as Benecol. Its plant esters are made from soybean oil extract and studies have found that it reduces the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol by 13%.
In 2000, the FDA gave Benecol and other products made with plant stanol esters permission to claim that they lower the risk of heart disease – when used in concert with a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol.
Spreads Industry Research & Market Reports
-
Sweet Spreads in the Czech Republic
... spreads were viewed as non-essential, prompting some consumers to reduce or limit purchases of these products as an economy measure. Thus, the number of purchases made via promotional offers or discounts increased. More consumers sought ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Georgia
... the year. The relatively low unit price growth and increasing discounts from players, especially the dynamic Milka brand, are the main drivers behind this trend. Despite the absence of new major brands entering the market ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Chile
... for honey been on the up since the COVID-19 pandemic, and though per capita consumption in Chile is low compared to other countries in the regions, a considerable number of Chilean consumers incorporate honey into ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Croatia
... nut and seed based spreads, which is perceived as being healthier, due to the lower sugar content. Peanut butter is also increasingly popular with sports enthusiasts, due its high protein content. Examples of nut spreads ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Portugal
... use of irregular sized fruit is helping the category to reduce fruit waste. The utilisation of fruit peel, considered healthy due to its higher fibre content, is encouraged among producing companies to reduce production costs. ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Peru
... has prompted manufacturers to create sugar-free products that are free from warning labels. In addition, increased ecological awareness is driving the development of a wider range of products featuring local, often organic fruits and innovative ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Pakistan
... current value growth. The government has addressed the major problem of imported sweet spreads, especially from the Middle East, sold on the grey market. In 2024, the government cracked down on importers and distributors importing ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Ireland
... growth, overall volume sales of sweet spreads enjoyed a more robust increase compared to the previous year of the review period. Jams and preserves led volume growth, followed by nut and seed-based spreads and honey. ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Slovakia
... driving up unit prices at a time when many consumers were already grappling with financial challenges due to inflation and elevated interest rates. In response, shoppers were increasingly seeking price discounts and opting for larger ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Hungary
... with smaller contributions from a host of private label alternatives, including those by Tesco, Spar and Lidl. Despite the fact that consumers remain budget conscious when it came to food purchases, the brand’s value share ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Lithuania
... sugar and fruit increasing, and the time required for home preparation, it can be more economical and convenient to buy commercially produced jam and preserves. Regional ingredients continue to dominate the market, with cherry, strawberry, ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Taiwan
... volume and value terms. There was a marked improvement in the retail performance of sweet spreads compared to 2023 levels, when the trend of revenge travel and increased dining out led to a decline in ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Costa Rica
... in retail volume sales. Rising health-consciousness among the population has continued to buoy demand, as this product type is renowned for being a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, and appreciation for its immune-boosting ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Ecuador
... its number of stores nationwide, making its private label products more widely available. A standout brand, Nutzel, imported directly from Germany, has gained popularity by offering high-quality taste at nearly half the price of mainstream ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Guatemala
... this expanding selection, with choices including Tres Cebollas Deli Hagen, Kib Frambuesa Chipotle, and St Dalfour Fig Royale. While these premium flavours are appealing to wealthier consumers, lower-income consumers continue to gravitate towards more affordable ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Finland
... sweet spreads is a mature category in the country, thus players are active in offering different flavour profiles and value-added options in order to stand out from the competition. Euromonitor International's Sweet Spreads in Finland ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Italy
... robust. Like edible oils players, beekeepers face multiple production challenges. Climate change, with cloudbursts alternating with periods of drought, can damage the flowering of plants and affect the production of honey. In addition, the increasing ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in the United Kingdom
... by growing awareness of its health benefits and perception as a more wholesome alternative to artificial sweeteners. As consumers increasingly seek natural and unprocessed options, honey's appeal as a better-for-you product continues to rise. Its ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Singapore
... occurs during breakfast, typically on toast, which restricts their penetration into broader meal occasions. Moreover, the increasing focus on health and wellness has diminished the popularity of jams and preserves, as consumers become more discerning ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in the Netherlands
... in sugar prices. In 2024, some additional price increases were noted across various segments within the sweet spreads category. However, increases in 2024 were not as extreme as those experienced the previous year, indicating a ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Denmark
... sweeteners like agave, stevia, and maple syrup. While there is still some interest in premium, organic, and flavoured honey, overall sales have been affected by the higher cost of local honey production and cheaper imported ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Bulgaria
... Bulgaria over 2024, salaries continued to increase, and packaging and transportation costs remained high for manufacturers, thus putting upward pressure on price. The only category to witness sales decline was jams and preserves, mainly due ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in Canada
... spreads has been strengthening in a trend that is set to intensify. Canadians are increasingly concerned with their sugar intake, with growing numbers limiting consumption and actively seeking out products with more natural ingredients. The ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in the United Arab Emirates
... additives. This trend is particularly evident in the rising popularity of nut and seed based spreads, fuelled by millennials and Generation Z consumers who are increasingly exploring the health benefits of these nutritious alternatives. Euromonitor ... Read More
-
Sweet Spreads in the Philippines
... growth in consumption of chocolate spreads and nut and seed based spreads. With white bread as a staple and traditional bakeries known as panaderya popular, consumers continue to gravitate towards chocolate and nut and seed ... Read More
Research Assistance
