Despite Innovation, Market for Fruit Products Stuck Just Under $21 Billion

New York, October 24, 2006 — Adding organics, exotic fruits, antioxidants, single-serve portions, and innovative kid-packaging to their product line-ups has not been enough to grow sales in the stagnant fruit products market. Despite the proliferation of new product introductions in 2005, the market for packaged fruit, fruit juices, and fruit confectionaries held fast at $20.8 billion, according to Fruit Products in the U.S., the latest market research from Packaged Facts.

Packaged Facts projects that sagging sales will continue well into 2010 with the market remaining flat at $20.6 billion. While fruit products may convey a sense of health and wellness, the high content of sugar in many has held them back especially during the low-carb craze and even after the trend ebbed.

Packaged fruit consumption, including canned, dried, and frozen fruits, actually grew by 5% from 2004 to 2005, yet not enough to stave off sagging sales in other sectors. During the same time period, fruit juices, such as refrigerated, bottled, canned, and frozen, declined by nearly one percent. Jams, fruit bars, fruit rolls, and other fruit confectionaries declined by three percent. Both of the latter categories are expected to continue shrinking through 2010.

“Items, such as fresh fruit smoothies, cherry juice, and other health-infused products, have clearly won favor with consumers and are moving product developers in the right direction,” notes Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts. “Yet consumers have been very slow to respond to even the most exciting promotional and health campaigns, and changing their eating habits to include more fruit products will continue to be an uphill battle.”

Providing in-depth data on sales with forecasts through 2010 for each sector, Fruit Products in the U.S. provides the most comprehensive look at the market while focusing on future opportunities for growth. The report examines new product trends and promotions; offers competitive profiles of industry leaders; and looks at consumer trends and behaviors surrounding fruit consumption. Priced at $3,000, this report is available from Packaged Facts by visiting: http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1209579.html. It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Packaged Facts
Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer industries, including consumer goods and retailing, food and beverage, and demographics. For more information visit www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014, or tehart@marketresearch.com.