As the run-up to the festive season is well underway, the frozen food sector in the United Kingdom continues to be impacted by supply chain issues, rising costs, lack of raw materials and labor shortages that are approaching crisis levels. But this has not seriously impeded the delivery of most of what’s needed for making merry during upcoming holiday get-togethers and celebrations.
“It is not just HGV (heavy goods vehicle) drivers, but many parts of the supply chain which are seeing shortages. This includes engineers, line workers, coldstore pickers, people to harvest fruit and vegetables – the list is endless,” said Richard Harrow, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF). “However frozen has one major advantage especially on driver shortages, as our products are not time critical.”
Although suppliers are doing all they can, there has been a lot of coverage about the scarcity of turkeys – a Christmas feast staple, with at least one major retailer informing the BFFF that it has already sold of out of the frozen birds. Despite this lack of volume, poultry producers have assured consumers that there will be enough turkeys for the holiday period, although there might not be the usual variety on store shelves.
“Recent data from Kantar shows the average price on frozen is up by 2.1% (52-week data), however in the last 12 weeks frozen has seen prices up by 2.9%,” said Harrow. “We feel that prices may move again after Christmas trading.”
Seasonal Sides
Christmas lunch aside, dining occasions are more relaxed over the holiday period, with all-day-eating a popular pastime. Ordering a snack and a drink at restaurants, cafes or pubs is an affordable indulgence for many people, and frozen party food is the easy way for foodservice outlets to make the most of increased footfall.
“Create a festive menu which uses seasonal ingredients and embrace all day grazing as the perfect accompaniment to a Christmas tipple,” suggests Nic Townsend, trade marketer at Farm Frites UK and Ireland. “This year we may see new best sellers emerge, as delivery and takeaway have a significant impact on the traditional Christmas menus. We love a Christmas turkey burger served with extra thick, super crunchy Ultimate Chips.”
Something Special
The festive season is a time for indulgence, with premium food options aplenty. Smoked salmon is a popular choice among many revelers, and Young’s Seafood has experienced a sales increase as operators prepare recipes for breakfast, brunch, starters and canapes.
“We know that UK consumers are increasingly concerned about the effects of climate change, so it’s really important for chefs to ensure that they buy responsibly sourced fish,” said Joel Carr, development chef at the Grimsby, England-based company’s foodservice division. “Young’s Scottish Smoked Salmon is responsibly sourced to our Fish for Life program and is also free from wheat, gluten and milk, so it ticks a lot of the ‘free from’ options.”
New Product Development
The increasing number of consumers with special dietary requirements for health, lifestyle and ethical reasons has resulted in more new product development in this area.
“There’s a definite increase in visibility of vegan, meat-free and meat alternative products, and “free from” gluten and others are becoming more important. The same goes for kosher, halal and to a certain extent, lower fat/healthier options,” said Andrea Deutschmanek, Lamb Weston’s international marketing lead for Northern Europe.
Halal Turkey from Humza
Halal brand Humza has launched a brand new frozen turkey range into the retail sector which can be bought in select Asda and Morrison stores. Shoppers will be able to choose from either a whole bird (4-5kg) or turkey crown (1.8-2kg), with RRPs of £16 for the whole bird and £14.50 for the turkey crown.
Humza’s brand ambassador and former BBC MasterChef winner, Dr Saliha Mahmood Ahmed, said: “Although I always make a big celebratory, family meal on Christmas day, I have found it difficult to source a halal turkey in the past. These new products will provide greater choice for Muslim families who want to participate in the British tradition of enjoying a roast turkey meal on Christmas day.”
There has been a lot of NPD in the vegan sector this year, with a number of new plant-based options that will appeal to all consumers – not just those with special dietary requirements.
“Our vegan options that are popular at Christmas include the Menuserve beetroot and thyme tarte tatin (pictured at top of story) and the Menuserve Cajun spiced sweet potato roulade (seen below),” said Gordon Lauder, managing director of Northamptonshire, England-based frozen food distributor Central Foods. “Traditional favorites remain most popular at Christmas, but the rise in veganism and flexitarianism means that there’s growth in this area across all day parts – from breakfast and snacks to main courses and desserts.”
Tesco’s Wicked Kitchen range of plant-based products now includes Mini Mac Party Pots, a No-Turkey Roast Crown, Chocolate and Salted Caramel Cake made with soya and beetroot, and a Chocolate and Salted Caramel Log (pictured below) made especially to be enjoyed during the Yuletide season.
Premium Products
Marks and Spencer is also catering to consumer demand for frozen festive produce with the launch of its frozen Christmas food range, which includes mains, sharing snacks and desserts.
From “big and juicy tempura tiger prawns, delicious with a sweet chilli dip” to duck spring rolls and whole cooked Canadian Lobster – the chain has gone all out on its frozen Christmas offerings.
The stock-basted boneless turkey breast comes with a gravy melt and is garnished with a sprig of rosemary. Its available ranges from various sizes that will feed from two to three people to larger parties of eight to ten diners. Customers can also opt for the Oakham boneless breast with pork, sage and onion stuffing, which is garnished with applewood and chestnut smoked streaky bacon, while the whole Oakham turkey is basted with turkey stock.
Festive side dishes include a root vegetable selection for roasting, featuring chunky carrots, parsnips, swede and shallots dressed in extra virgin olive oil and seasoned with salt and black pepper; brussels sprouts, with sweet chestnut pieces, seasoned with salt and pepper butter; and Yorkshire puddings prepared with beef dripping.
To finish there’s torched winter berry pavlova, featuring a torched meringue wreath topped with cream, blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrants drenched in a hand-piped winter fruits sauce.
Sarah-Jane Large, product developer for festive frozen ranges at M&S Foods, said: “Whether you’re having friends round for a weekend brunch or putting on a full pre-Christmas dinner, having our fuss-free centerpieces, trimmings, party food and desserts on hand in the freezer just helps make everything that bit easier.”
Despite the issues with supply chains, frozen food manufacturers have worked hard to develop new and exciting products to ensure that consumers won’t be disappointed this Christmas.
