Retail Intelligence Mini Report: Spices/Seasonings Feb-25

Market Trends: Mexico has the largest average packaging size (968g), reflecting bulk purchasing preferences, while France has the smallest (143g), indicating a trend toward smaller, frequent purchases. The global average packaging size is approximately 457g, with notable groupings of larger packaging preferences in Japan, Korea, and Italy, and smaller packaging preferences in Australia, the UK, and France.

Noteworthy Products: Sainsbury's Oregano is a highly rated, budget-friendly herb at just USD 1.40, offering great value. A staple in Mediterranean, Italian, and Middle Eastern cuisines, it comes from Sainsbury's, known for quality and consistency. Its affordability and popularity make it a pantry essential for home cooks.

Industry News: Pepper prices are rising globally, driven by supply constraints, shifting demand, and price increases in key producing countries. In Vietnam, domestic prices have risen to around USD 6.10–6.20/kg, while Brazil's black pepper prices have climbed to USD 6,400/ton. China and India actively purchase white pepper and light berries for extraction, while US and European imports remain steady. However, harvest delays caused by labor shortages and climate issues are expected to impact availability, with the 2025 harvest delayed by 1.5 to 2 months. Strong demand and production delays fuel expectations of continued price increases, prompting some farmers to shift investments into pepper.