Global pasta consumption has grown by more than double (+66.6%) over the past decade to 15 million tonnes/annum, from 9 million tonnes/annum, according to a report by RAI News.
In 2019, the demand for pasta grew by 90% in Saudi Arabia, 25% in the United Arab Emirates, 22% in China, and 16% in Australia.
Nine in 10 Italians eat pasta regularly, with 36% having it on their tables every day, the report said.
It also highlighted that 90% of Italians prefer traditional pasta, while the remaining 10% like to experiment with different variants such as whole-meal, gluten-free, spelt, Kamut, and vegetable pasta.
In 2018, Italy produced 3.4 million tonnes of pasta and retained its global leadership position in pasta manufacturing.
More than half of the pasta produced in Italy is exported to Germany, the UK, France, the USA, and Japan, the report said.
Pasta Consumption Declines In Italy
Elsewhere, a report by ISMEA, published by Ansa, reveals that pasta accounts for only 3% of the food expenditure of Italians, down from 13% a decade ago.
The decline has been attributed to demographic changes, a greater focus on diet, and the growth of alternative products, resulting in a change in lifestyle and purchasing habits.
The value of pasta purchases, however, continued to grow after having reached the lowest level in 2018, thanks to more expensive products.
Consumption of whole-meal pasta increased from 36% to 75% in three years.
The number of Italians who claim to have eaten organic pasta at least once a year has gone up from 13% to 63%, while consumption of gluten-free pasta grew from 7% to 30%.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
