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NASFT: Consumers Spending More on Specialties

NEW YORK — Demand for yogurt, energy bars, nut and seed butters and coffee drinks helped fuel a 6.9% increase in retail and foodservice sales of specialty foods and beverages last year, according to research from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade.

March 29, 2012

1 Min Read
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NEW YORK — Demand for yogurt, energy bars, nut and seed butters and coffee drinks helped fuel a 6.9% increase in retail and foodservice sales of specialty foods and beverages last year, according to research from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade.

With $3.4 billion in retail sales, cheese brought in the most revenue of all specialties, followed by meats, poultry and seafood; chips, pretzels and snacks; coffee, coffee substitutes and cocoa; and bread and baked goods. Functional beverages are the fastest growing segment, followed by yogurt and kefir. Among other findings:

  • Specialty foods represent 13.7% of all food sales at retail. 

  • Kosher is the leading claim for new specialty foods, followed by all natural. 

  • Local is the most influential product claim today, according to 75% of retailers surveyed.

  • Latin is the fastest emerging cuisine, according to retailers.

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