Expansion of the prepared-food market and growing demand for disposable food containers

「Use of disposable containers is gradually expanding in the hospital and care-food market, which is expected to grow against a backdrop of population aging and labor shortages. As the frozen-food market is expected to expand across a broad range of fields, including retail and institutional meals, we are expanding our product lineup and strengthening our supply system through the development of the new cold-resistant material "耐寒PPiP-タルク," which is less prone to breakage at frozen temperatures, and through technological innovation to increase production speed.」

「On the sales front, we are pursuing initiatives to expand sales actively, with a view to further growth in demand for eco-friendly products and products that reduce plastic use against a backdrop of heightened environmental awareness, as well as further expansion and establishment of the new takeout and delivery, frozen-food and hospital and care-food markets.」

「The food container market has continued to grow in recent years alongside the expansion of the prepared-foods market, centered on boxed meals and prepared foods, against a backdrop of increases in single-person and dual-income households. Going forward, further expansion is expected in the takeout and delivery market, which grew rapidly with the spread of COVID-19, the frozen-food market, where products can be stored long term, and the hospital and care-food market, including delivered meals for older people.」

「Against the backdrop of changes in consumer behavior to avoid contact with others during the COVID-19 pandemic, food sales methods have diversified, including food e-commerce sites and unmanned retail. In response to these changes, we will continue developing products that meet customer needs and opening up new sales channels.」

「In the takeout and delivery market, the food-service industry is entering the market, while the movement to develop delivery-only restaurants without physical locations, known as ghost restaurants, is rapidly spreading. Major food-delivery companies are also expanding the areas covered by their outsourced delivery services from metropolitan areas nationwide, and the market is expected to expand and become more established. We are also expanding into the hospital and care-food and frozen-food markets, which are expected to grow in the future.」

「Shipments of containers for supermarkets have remained firm as demand for home cooking continues due to the impact of COVID-19. In restaurant takeout and delivery, the market continues to expand as initiatives by major restaurant chains and high-end restaurants become more widespread.」

「After the temporary increase in demand began to level off following the lifting of the state of emergency, takeout and delivery have continued to expand as a new market as major restaurant chains have launched strategic initiatives.」

「Shipments of takeout and delivery containers for restaurants surged in May during the state of emergency. After the state of emergency was lifted, the temporary increase in demand began to level off, but takeout and delivery are expanding as a new market as major restaurant chains have begun full-scale initiatives.」

「At supermarkets, shipments of containers for fresh foods such as meat and seafood remained firm as demand for home cooking increased. In prepared-food sections, demand for hinged containers and similar products increased as sales floors shifted from buffet-style displays using tongs to displays using containers. At restaurants, demand for takeout and delivery increased, and shipments of takeout and delivery containers rose further after April 2020, when the state of emergency was declared.」

「In the food retail industry, sales floors have expanded beyond those centered on fresh foods, with greater emphasis on prepared foods. Major food manufacturers have entered the prepared-foods market, and restaurants have strengthened their takeout and delivery offerings, bringing the prepared-foods market to more than ¥10 trillion. Further expansion of the prepared-foods market is expected, driven by individually packaged products, delivered meals and care foods for older people, frozen foods suitable for long-term storage, and products that can be heated in a microwave to provide freshly prepared meals from raw ingredients.」

「As restaurant takeout and delivery continued to expand against the backdrop of the reduced tax rate introduced as part of the October 2019 consumption tax increase, we began collaborating with a leading food-delivery portal in July 2019 and began selling delivery-specific containers for noodle dishes in October 2019.」

「As further expansion of restaurant takeout and delivery was expected against the backdrop of the reduced tax rate introduced as part of the October 2019 consumption tax increase, our consolidated subsidiary エフピコ商事株式会社 launched the packaging materials e-commerce site "Pack Market" on 27 June 2019.」

「With major food manufacturers entering the market and restaurants strengthening their takeout offerings, the prepared-foods market grew to more than ¥10 trillion. Household trends affecting food sales continued to show an increase in the total number of households, with the proportions of couples-only and single-person households rising, while the proportion of people aged 65 or older reached a record high of 28.1% of the total population.」

「As food retailers expanded their higher-margin prepared-food offerings and converted fresh foods into prepared products, our lidded containers, which make food look attractive on the sales floor, increased in sales volume. Along with the expansion of the prepared-foods market, major food manufacturers are developing new products such as prepared foods, while the food-service industry is also entering the prepared-foods market and major restaurant chains are increasingly adopting takeout containers.」

「Food retailers are expanding their higher-margin prepared-food offerings and converting fresh foods into prepared products. Lidded containers that make food look attractive on the sales floor are increasing in sales volume, while major food manufacturers are developing new products such as prepared foods as the prepared-foods market expands. The food-service industry is also entering the prepared-foods market, and takeout containers are being adopted more widely by major restaurant chains.」

「Against a backdrop of changes in the social environment in recent years, population aging, increases in dual-income households and increases in single-person households, eating styles have shifted from home cooking to dining out and prepared foods, while the market for disposable food containers has broadened and grown.」