Time-pressed consumers are seeking restaurant-quality food at home, which is driving opportunities for mixes, meal starters, kits, sauces, and other shortcuts, especially those with global flavors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals extended their cooking skills and comfort levels, leading to experimentation in the kitchen. As life becomes hectic again, consumers desire to prepare exciting meals but lack the time for complex recipes, making convenience products more appealing.
Recent reports highlight that 64% of Americans continue to cook at home, and 81% do more than half of their meals at home. While cooking at home has decreased since its peak during the pandemic, the trend toward convenience in cooking remains strong. Ready-to-use meal starters, bases, and sauces are leading this trend, with global cooking sauce market estimates increasing significantly over the years due to rising demand for convenience and variety in home cooking.