Condiments are a crucial part of the restaurant industry. They are used to flavor food after it’s been served or during the cooking process. The condiments market consists of hundreds of different sauces, spices, dressings, and pickled products. In fact, many are not sure what are condiments exactly. The short answer is food products that are added to the meal (usually after cooking) to enhance its flavor. As taste plays a major role in eating, the condiments market is steadily growing. Business owners in the condiment sector also invest in product research and new recipe development in order to offer a wide variety of condiment products on the market. In this article, we’ll talk about the condiments market and what are the trends in this industry.
Key takeaway: The condiments market is dominated by popular sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, and soy sauce. Although most people associate the industry with sauces, it also includes seasonings and other food products.
What Does the Condiments Market Include
The term condiments is commonly used to describe sauces like ketchup or mayonnaise. However, the industry also includes seasonings such as salt, pepper, curry, rosemary, and other restaurant spices. That’s why different market research agencies have different methodologies when it comes to calculating the size of the condiments market. Here are some of the main categories of this industry.
Spices and Culinary Herbs
That includes popular seasonings such as salt and spices. Herbs like pepper, chilis, and thyme are also part of this category.
Sauces
The widely used ketchup, mustard, mayo, and soy sauce fall under this category.
Preserves
Jam, jelly, nut butter, and other preserves can also be considered part of the condiments market.
Current State of the Condiments Market
According to Statista (one of the most reputable data gathering and analysis platforms), the size of the condiments market is more than 260 billion USD. It has had a yearly growth of around 8 percent for the past 5 years. Their calculations include both sauces and seasoning products but exclude preserves and no-seed oils which some also considered as condiments. Offline D2C sales dominate the condiments market. That makes sense as most households buy these products from grocery stores, at farmer’s markets, or at other brick-and-mortar retailers. Nevertheless, online sales are growing with the introduction of eCommerce grocery websites. Furthermore, services such as condiment subscription boxes also help with the growth of online sales.
There are a few factors that have helped the rise of this sector.
- Cooking at home. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a growing number of people cooking at home. Naturally, that sparks higher demand for condiments and spices.
- New sauces. The food and beverage industry is innovative and always adapts to the trends. That’s why in recent years there have been multiple new startups in the field of condiments and sauces. These companies strive to offer a different approach to condiment manufacturing. Some focus on exotic hot sauces while others might specialize in vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, or other specialty products.
- Trying different cuisines. Customers in the West want to have a different approach to dining nowadays. Many consider it an experience and an opportunity to try new flavors and meals. That’s why restaurants that offer cuisines from all over the world have been growing in popularity. This has led to better knowledge of condiments from specific countries and regions. People who like these flavors are likely to search for them on the shelves of grocery stores.
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Trends in the Condiments Market
Just like every other niche, the condiments market is evolving and changing constantly. That’s why manufacturers, distributors, and restaurant managers need to be familiar with the trends in the sector. Let’s examine some of the main ones.
Healthier Products
A growing number of consumers look for products that have fewer additives and are considered to be healthier. That’s why the growth of bio and organic products has skyrocketed in recent decades.
Convenience
The condiment market is often associated with fast food and busy lifestyles. That’s why it’s very important for these products to be conveniently packaged. Condiment containers such as squeeze bottles and single-serve packets are the best proof of that trend.
Hot Sauces
The hot sauce industry is among the highest-growing subcategories in the condiments market. Companies in this field aim to offer a variety of hot sauces with herbs and vegetables from all over the world. Furthermore, products like hot oils and sweet and spicy jelly are enjoyed by a growing number of customers.
Plant-Based Alternatives
The rising popularity of vegan-based diets has increased the demand for plant-based condiments. Examples include vegan mayonnaise, egg-free aioli, and dairy-free cheese sauces. In addition to plant-based alternatives, gluten-free condiment products are also a hot trend.
Fusion Flavors and Gourmet Products
A growing number of people are searching for new flavors. That has sparked various products that add a modern twist to traditional flavors. Artisanal and gourmet products also have a high demand. That includes handcrafted sauces or products that come in small batches. As the specialty food sector is rising, it’s not a surprise that customers are also searching for new and exciting flavors in the condiments market.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Condiments Market
BlueCart assists businesses in multiple ways. We’ve helped broadline distributors and other wholesalers streamline their business processes and we’ve also assisted restaurants and other businesses to find suppliers they can count on. We also help companies with useful information in our blog articles. Below you can read the answers to some of the commonly asked questions regarding the condiments industry.
What Are the Top Condiments?
Every cuisine has its distinct ways of adding flavor to food. In the US, the top condiments include mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard. Hot sauces like Sriracha and dressings like ranch are also among the high-demand products in the condiment market. When it comes to sweet condiments, maple syrup and different types of jam and jelly are top choices for many people. Honey can also be considered one of the top sweet condiments. Worldwide, condiments like soy sauce and salsa are among the most purchased ones. They are used in various cuisines and can flavor various dishes.
How to Start a Condiment Business?
If you wish to become part of the condiment market, you can easily start a business in that niche market. The most important step is to do proper research. Check out the cottage food laws so that you know what condiments you can make and sell without having a commercial kitchen. Furthermore, you can benefit from outsourcing different processes. For example, you can use the services of co-manufacturing companies in 3PL providers. This will make your business scalable and allow you to focus on marketing and sales. Here are a few business ideas to start in the condiment market.
- Grow and sell organic herbs and spices;
- Cook and sell sauces, condiments, and dressings;
- Sell jam and jelly;
- Start a white-label condiment brand;
- Sell custom spice blends;
How Do Restaurants Use Condiments?
Food service establishments use various types of condiments. They can vary based on the style of the restaurant. For example, ketchup and mustard are very common in the fast food industry. On the other hand, restaurants that specialize in Asian cuisine are likely to offer soy sauce or other traditional condiments for food from that region. Hotel restaurants often place condiments in pump dispensers on condiment stations. They usually purchase bulk condiments at wholesale prices. Restaurant condiment holders usually have salt, pepper, vinegar, and oil.