FRANCE: REVIEW OF THE SNACK MARKET

Article Abstract:

The French snack biscuit and Viennese pastry market represented FFr 15.8bn in 1999. Although children especially like chocolate and soft products, all segments benefited from this growth. The pastry-makerst biscuits represented FFr 3.97bn in the twelve months ending 13 February 2000, up 8.1%, followed by non-pastry-makers' biscuits, which represented FFr 3.81bn, up 3.8%; by Viennese pastries with FFr 3.64bn, up 3.8%; and mass-produced pastries at FFr 3.66bn, up 1.4%. The vitality of the Viennese pastries appears to be to the detriment of mass-produced pastries, which often are too sweet. This vitality is also due to the Viennese pastries' good value for money, and to manufacturer's promotions and advertising.

FRANCE: REVIEW OF THE BAKED GOODS MARKET

Article Abstract:

The development of the French baked goods market varies widely depending on the segment. Although pre-packed bread, which represents 100,000 tonnes for a turnover of FFr 1.7bn, up 7%, during the 12 months ending 31 March 2000, dry baked goods which represented 72,000 tonnes for a turnover of FFr 1.8bn, rose 3.7% in volume and 3.9% in value during the 12 months ending 20 February 2000. Among the pre-packaged breads, white sandwich loaf is the principal segment with 61% of the volume sold, but it posted only a 4% rise. Special breads represent 21% of the volume, up 31%. Traditional breads rose 5%, festive breads rose 14%, and ethnic breads rose 7% in value while brioche-type bread dropped 6%. Brioche-type rusks rose 34% in value followed by grilled bread, up 7%. However, Swedish bread dropped 3%, and Cracotte-type extruded bread continued to slip. Manufacturers appear to be counting on innovation, the health orientation, and on new styles of eating other than breakfast in order to stimulate the market.

FRANCE: REVIEW OF THE SNACK MARKET

Article Abstract:

The French snack market is doing well, but there is a wide difference in the development of the various segments. Viennese pastries are the fastest-growing segment, representing FFr 3.51bn, up 12.8%, and up 11.7% in volume, for the twelve months ending 20 December 1998, calculated monthly. This segment is driven by individual filled biscuits, up 35% from 1997. Viennese pastries have benefited from this current trend to soft products, and from their good value for money, plus the fact that the segment has been backed by television advertising investments for two years. Industrial pastry represents FFr 3.49bn, up 5.9%, and has risen 4.1% in volume. Although pastry biscuits represent FFr 3.62bn, up 3.8%, and have risen 2.7%, non-pastry biscuits are sluggish, representing FFr 3.67bn, up 0.6%, and down 0.4%. Manufacturers on the snack market must be able to appeal to both children and mothers. While the children want pleasure, the mothers want a balanced diet for their children.