The size of the total seafood category, according to Simplot Seafood Marketing Manager Tom Peek, has remained “relatively consistent” over the past few years.
The impact of Covid-19, however, has led to “accelerated growth” within many retail seafood segments.
For example, shelf seafood has grown 4.1% in volume in the past nine months compared with a three-year pre-Covid-19 CAGR decline of 1.3% (IRI Scan Data, Total Grocery Unweighted, 1/3/20-6/12/20, supplied by Simplot). In a similar trend, frozen seafood has grown by 6.4% since March 2020 compared with a pre-Covid three-year CAGR of 1.5%.
“Both shelf and frozen seafood are important categories during and after Covid-19,” says Mr Peek, “as they serve as pantry and freezer staples and are an affordable and nutritious meal solution.”
Read more about seafood trends, advice and the impacts of Covid-19 in the latest issue of Retail World.