Soup lines

Prepared Foods, Jan, 2003 by William A. Roberts

Despite those efforts, Mintel predicts stagnant sales for the soup category through 2006. Slight increases in the RTS segment will not offset decreases in condensed and dry soups. Some areas do harbor opportunity, however, such as the refrigerated and frozen soup category, neither of which has been mined to any great degree. Both would appeal to consumers looking for freshness and quality--without the effort usually associated with homemade.

The innovation in packaging and flavors is expected to continue, with refrigerated soups finding increased acceptance in supermarkets as consumers seek to duplicate the restaurant experience at home. In fact, Mintel notes estimates that refrigerated soups could, eventually, account for up to 20% of the soup market in the U.S.

Flavors, meanwhile, will continue to evolve, with Caribbean Mango Soup and Butternut Squash with Granny Smith Apples among the varieties moving from foodservice into the grocery aisles. Efforts to emphasize new flavors could impress upon consumers the quality of the product, while noting that these soups still cost less than frozen meals and take-out.

Website Resources

www.mintel.com--Mintel International Group

www.mealtime.org--Canned Food Alliance

www.campbellsoup.com--Campbell Soup

www.generalmills.com--General Mills

www.coventgorden.com--Covent Garden

ot So Soup-er

Sales of soup, 1997-2002

In $ billions

(constant 2002 prices)


2002  $3.94
2001  $3.94
2000  $3.93
1999  $3.96
1998  $3.95
1997  $4.02

Source: IRI/Mintel's Global New Products Database, www.gnpd.com/Ph:
312-932-0400/PF


oup's On

Sales of soup by segment

In $ millions

           2002    2000    % Change

RTS        $1,731  $1,489  16.3%
Condensed  $1,414  $1,440  1.8%
Dry *      $795    $776    2.4%

* includes ramen, packaged dry soups and bouillon

Source: IRI/Mintel's Global New Products Database, www.gnpd.com/ph:
312-932-0400/PF