Buoyant frozen food industry set sights on £10b sales

John Hyman, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation has outlined the vision of creating frozen food sales worth £10b at the industry's annual conference today in Birmingham.

Speaking at the British Frozen Food Federation's yearly gathering, Hyman said: "In the 12 months since we last met the industry has achieved a significant milestone: retail sales worth over £6b, combined with £2.3b worth of sales in foodservice, give us a UK frozen food market worth £8.3b, and it's growing in volume as well as value.

"We are getting closer to reaching the £10b target and I expect great things from frozen as many of the factors driving retail and foodservice markets are favourable."

Conference delegates heard from a range of leading industry speakers including Kate Forbes, head of category development at Birds Eye who outlined opportunities for category growth and collaboration with consumers. Andrew Roberts, commercial director of Bidfood, who encouraged frozen food producers to innovate to generate more sales in foodservice and Iceland's trading director, Bev Mitchell, who covered the success of the ‘Power of Frozen' marketing campaign.

The opportunities for exporting more frozen food, as well retail and foodservice trends both in the UK and globally were on the agenda with speakers including Nick Downing of the IGD, Graeme Littlejohn from the Scotch Whisky Association and Chris Hayward of Kantar Worldpanel.

Hyman added: "The buoyant foodservice market is also playing in favour of frozen. Great taste, ease of preparation, portion control and reduced food waste all have a key role in helping busy kitchens make money, facts that are now widely recognised by chefs."

"As an industry, our supply chain is more efficient and controlled than ever before, with investment only growing. The frozen food industry is united in its commitment to innovation, investment and insight and will continue to drive forward in 2018 and beyond.

The BFFF conference is being held at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole hotel, with over 300 delegates in attendance running alongside the BFFF's annual Health & Safety Seminar and a newly launched Technical Seminar.

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