Stuck at $2.6 Billion, U.S. Sales of Fermented Vegetables Could Be In a Pickle!

New York, November 13, 2006— Despite a consumer awakening to the probiotic health benefits of fermented vegetables, sales have been flat for the past five years, hovering at $2.6 billion, according to Pickles, Olives, and Relishes in the U.S., a new report from market research publisher Packaged Facts.

Packaged Facts projects that the market will continue its struggle to grow, due mainly to a consumer shift from processed to fresh foods. Sales are expected to dip to $2.57 billion by 2010 as the refrigerated pickles, olives, and relishes category continues to decline. Shelf stable fare is expected to remain flat despite manufacturer efforts to upscale and introduce healthier products and unique flavors.

Indeed, the “upscale” package tag was carried by almost 7% of new products in the marinated condiment market. And other tags such as “fresh,” “no preservatives,” and “gourmet” followed suit, yet did little to stimulate market growth.

However, the low-fat, heart-friendly characteristics of olives and olive products coupled with the common notion that pickles, olives, and relishes are considered “fun-filled” foods, give marketers a lot of potential to promote their products as tasty, healthy, and nutritious.

“If you look on the supermarket shelves, right next to the organic pickles, olives, and other marinated condiments, we’re seeing healthy competition from ethnic fare, particularly Asian and Hispanic,” notes Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts. “This opens up ethnic demographics as well as Baby Boomers as key targets for manufacturers who want to increase sales by focusing on innovative flavors, greater varieties of premium vegetables, and ethnic-inspired condiments.”

Pickles, Olives, and Relishes in the U.S. provides a comprehensive look at the market for refrigerated and shelf-stable pickles, relishes, olives, marinated fruits and vegetables, peppers, pimentos, and chutneys. The report examines new product trends, offers competitive company profiles, and looks at consumer trends and behaviors. Priced at $1,995, this report is available from Packaged Facts by visiting: http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1272000.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, food and beverage, pets, and demographics. For more information visit www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014, or tehart@marketresearch.com.