Dressings, sauces and vinegar have long been table companions, but the emergence of a fusion cuisine with a mix of different cultures has brought fresh ideas in this fast-changing globalized industry. As consumers have rediscovered the pleasure of cooking at home, sales of vinegar, olive oil and sauces have surged globally. Moreover, demand for authentic, locally sourced specialties has surged as younger consumers experiment with easy recipes in their own kitchen.
SPICING UP SALES – The global retail value of sauces, dressings and condiments reached 117.8 billion dollars in 2015, compared to $106.9 billion in 2010, according to Euromonitor Passport estimates elaborated for ItalianFood.Net. This sector includes tomato pastes and purees, bouillon cubes, herbs and spices, soy based sauces, pasta sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, salad dressings, dips and pickled products, among others. Global volumes grew 14.1% from 2010 to 2015, supported by demand for flavorful condiment alternatives.
TASTE OF THE WORLD – While soy sauce is the most important condiment in China, sales of fruit and healthy vinegar are also growing in the world’s second largest economy. Vinegar, especially balsamic, is perhaps the most innovative product in this sector, as manufacturers work with natural flavors and density to please consumers from all over the world. Bottles of balsamic vinegar from Modena are now easily available also in the USA, where salad dressings have traditionally been richer and more dense. The latest addition to Americans’ shopping lists is represented by premium balsamic glazes, a thicker and smoother reduction enriched with natural flavors going from pomegranate to orange, fig and truffles, that can be used in both sweet and savory preparations, let alone cocktails.