Description

This report provides comprehensive and current information and analysis of the US Cooking Sauces, Pasta Sauces and Marinades market including market size, anticipated market forecast, relevant market segmentation, and industry trends for the Cooking Sauces, Pasta Sauces and Marinades market in the US.

Current market landscape

Despite dramatic sales growth over the past two years (+23% in 2020, followed by a generally stagnant 2021), actual engagement with sauces and marinades appears lower virtually across the board. This suggests that category fans doubled down on their usage of sauces and marinades, but that brands were unable to find much of a new audience during the greatest short-term shift to at-home cooking in recent history. With concerning inflationary conditions, consumers likely will continue to opt for the usually more-affordable meal made at home, much of the time. Sauce and marinade brands still have the potential to reach this audience that is experiencing cooking fatigue and seeking options that ease the cooking process and that can help them emulate the flavors and dishes that they would likely prefer to have from a restaurant.

The pandemic precipitated an unprecedented shift to eating and preparing foods at home, yet coming out of the pandemic, consumers are also likely to seek food options with a BFY promise, which sauces can meet with added vitamins/minerals, fiber content, or even ingredients that boost heart or gut health.

Future market trends in US Cooking Sauces, Pasta Sauces and Marinades

The usage of sauces and marinades is relatively common among older consumers, but younger adults – those who would seemingly get the most out of assistance with meal preparation and flavor introduction – are the least engaged, even during the height of cooking at home. Brands may well be missing the opportunity to establish a role in these younger consumers’ cooking patterns.

Read on to discover more about the cooking sauces market, read our Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Dips and Sauces – US – May 2021, or take a look at our other Food and Foodservice Market research reports.

Quickly understand

  • The impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and the cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades market.
  • Shifts in sauce usage and exposure since the pandemic began.
  • Interest in sauces featuring flavors of international cuisines.
  • Attitudes toward sauces and marinades.

Covered in this report

Brands include: : Kraft Heinz, Mizkan, Campbell’s, Lancaster Colony, T Marzetti’s, Chickfil-A, Sovos Brands, Ken’s Foods, Sweet Baby Ray’s, Sticky Fingers, Conagra Brands, McCormick & Company, Lancaster Colony Corporation, C.H. Guenther & Son, Barilla GeR Fratelli SpA, Prego, Bertolli, Ragu, Classico, Hunt’s, Kraft, Bulls Eye, KC Masterpiece, Gia Russa’s G Hughes BBQ Sauce, Stubb’s, Contadina, Olive Garden, A1, Lawry’s, Pioneer Brand, La Mexicana, Knorr, Buitoni, Giovanni Rana, Simple Girl Organic, Trader Joe’s, Lillie’s, Kroger USA, SE Grocers, Williams Sonoma, Core & Rind, Lucerne Foods, Dona Maria, Athenos.

Excluded from this report: Condiments such as ketchup and mustard and sauces typically used at the table, such as steak/ Worcestershire sauce, tartar/seafood sauce, hot/Cajun sauce and horseradish sauce. Also excluded are hollandaise and cheese sauces. For more information on them, please read our Table Sauces in US (2021) – Market Sizes.

Expert analysis from a specialist in the field

This report, written by Billy Robert, a leading analyst in the Food and Drink sector, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends and add expert context to the numbers.

After a 2020 with unprecedented growth of 23%, sales of sauces and marinades essentially stagnated in 2021, though still 20+% ahead of their 2019 levels. Sales will correct in 2022, as consumers more fully return to dining out and pandemic restrictions abate. Category brands have work to do to engage younger adults, whose category participation trails significantly behind that of older consumers. A greater focus on both flavor and BFY innovation can be a draw for younger adults. A notable area of opportunity for the food industry will be the shift to more-flexible working arrangements for many consumers and the impact that will have on mealtime. Versatility and value are must haves in the category, suggesting that targeting new meal occasions that are now up for grabs with hybrid workers can be impactful.

William Roberts, Jr -- Senior Food & Drink Analyst
Billy Robert
Sr Analyst, Food and Drink

Table of Contents

  1. Overview

    • What you need to know
    • This Report looks at the following areas
    • Definition
    • Market context
    • Economic and other assumptions
    • COVID-19: US context
  2. Executive Summary

    • Top takeaways
    • Market overview
    • Following a 2022 correction, category sales will rebound
      • Figure 1: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 2: Total US retail sales and forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, at current prices, 2016-26
    • Impact of COVID-19 on cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades
      • Figure 3: Short-, medium- and long-term impact of COVID-19 on cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, 2021
    • Opportunities and challenges
    • Usage rates point to need to re-engage consumers
      • Figure 4: Usage of sauces and marinades – NET, 2021 versus 2019
    • International influences to engage younger consumers
      • Figure 5: Interest in international sauces, by generation, 2021
    • Parents drawn to customization
      • Figure 6: Attitudes toward sauces, by parental status, 2021
  3. The Market – Key Takeaways

    • Category to remain comfortably ahead of 2019
    • Most segments to resume growth after a sales correction in 2022
    • Working at home likely equates to more meals at home
  4. Market Size and Forecast

    • Increased exposure leads category to retain much of 2020’s gains
      • Figure 7: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 8: Total US retail sales and forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, at current prices, 2016-26
  5. Segment Performance

    • Segments resume slower growth yet keep pandemic sales gains
      • Figure 9: Total US retail sales and forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by segment, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 10: Total US retail sales and forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by segment, at current prices, 2016-26
    • Other channels continue growth, as supermarkets lose ground in 2021
      • Figure 11: Total US retail sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by channel, at current prices, 2016-21
      • Figure 12: Total US retail sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by channel, at current prices, 2016-21
  6. Market Factors

    • Diminished economic expectations likely translate into more at-home meals
      • Figure 13: Consumer Sentiment Index, 2016-21
    • Volatile food prices point to need to extend at-home food spend
      • Figure 14: Changes in Consumer Price Indexes for food, 2021-22
      • Figure 15: Sales of food at home and away from home, 2012-21
    • Flexible work schedules to persist
      • Figure 16: Post-pandemic work life, by employment, 2021
  7. Companies and Brands – Key Takeaways

    • Restaurant brands make a mark in a heavily fragmented category
    • Extending the usage of and inspiration for sauces/marinades
    • Assuage parental concerns with customizability
  8. Market Share

    • Natural and restaurant brands outperform the category
    • Sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by company
      • Figure 17: Sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by company, 2020 and 2021
    • Rao’s growth an anomaly in pasta/pizza sauce
      • Figure 18: Multi-outlet sales of pasta and pizza sauce, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2020 and 2021
    • Legacy barbeque brands in need of refresh
      • Figure 19: Multi-outlet sales of barbeque sauce, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2020 and 2021
    • Hunt’s leads tomato bases, even as segment declines
      • Figure 20: Multi-outlet sales of tomato bases, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2020 and 2021
    • Other sauces/gravy brands make gains on gains in 2021
      • Figure 21: Multi-outlet sales of other sauces and gravy, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2020 and 2021
  9. Competitive Strategies

    • Brands tap into regional US cuisines to reach young and old palates
      • Figure 22: Regional US cuisine exposure, by generation, 2020
      • Figure 23: Sauce launches in the US, 2021
    • Natural and authentic positioning helps pasta brands find success
      • Figure 24: Sauce/marinade social media
      • Figure 25: Sauce/marinade launches in the US, by natural, organic, no additive/preservative claim, 2017-21
    • Plant-based and meat alternatives land in sauces
      • Figure 26: Plant-based sauce launches, US, 2021
      • Figure 27: US launches of new cooking/pasta sauces with a no-animal-protein claim, 2016-21
    • Brands diversify sauce applications beyond the mainstream
      • Figure 28: Messaging to broaden usage of sauces
  10. Market Opportunities

    • Go global with cuisines for the young palates
      • Figure 29: global cuisine consumption, by generation, 2021
    • Help parents meet multiple goals
      • Figure 30: Consumers and sauces post-pandemic, 2021
    • A staple of dinners, grow sauces for the lunch occasion
  11. The Consumer – Key Takeaways

    • Consumer base ages as engagement declines
    • Focus on moderate sauce/marinade users
    • Four in 10 have tried new sauce/marinade options
    • Engage younger consumers with broader international influences
    • Value values and value
    • Recognize the many opportunities within customization
  12. Usage of Sauces and Marinades

    • Focus on diversity and convenience
      • Figure 31: Usage of sauces and marinades, 2021 versus 2019
    • Less engaged Gen Z will need coaxing into the market
      • Figure 32: Usage of packaged sauces and marinades, by generation, 2021
    • “Homemade” positioning can fill the gap between aspirations and the need for convenience
      • Figure 33: Usage of homemade sauces and marinades, by generation, 2019 and 2021
    • Boost awareness through trial
      • Figure 34: Repertoire of types of sauce/marinades used, 2021
    • Grow frequency among parents
      • Figure 35: Repertoire of types of sauce/marinades used, by parental status, 2021
  13. Sauce/Marinade Usage Frequency

    • Despite sales gains, still room to grow frequency through disruption
      • Figure 36: Sauce/Marinade usage frequency, 2021
    • Inspire heavy users to engage even more
      • Figure 37: Cooking sauce use frequency, by repertoire of types of sauce/marinades used, 2021
  14. Pandemic Sauce Exploration

    • Young adults, parents drive sauce exploration
      • Figure 38: Sauce usage amid the pandemic, by generation, 2021
  15. Interest in International Cuisines in Sauces/Marinades

    • Bold flavors, Asian cuisines top interest
      • Figure 39: Interest in international cuisine flavors in sauces/marinades, 2021
    • Engage with Millennials to broaden mix usage
      • Figure 40: Interest in international cuisine flavors in dry sauces/marinades, by generation, 2021
  16. Sauce/Marinade Purchase Factors

    • Versatility = value and BFY = simple
      • Figure 41: Sauce/marinade purchase factors, 2021
    • BFY is subjective
      • Figure 42: Sauce/marinade factors, by parental status, 2021
    • Real, value are must-haves
      • Figure 43: TURF Analysis – Purchase factors, 2021
  17. Attitudes Toward Sauces/Marinades

    • Demonstrating versatility through customization is on the table
      • Figure 44: Attitudes toward sauces/marinades, 2021
    • Address flavor, texture and nutrition with parents
      • Figure 45: Attitudes toward nutrition in sauces/marinades, by presence and age of children in household, 2021
    • Millennials, Gen Z are flavor seekers
      • Figure 46: Attitudes on increasing use of sauces/marinades, by generation, 2021
    • Parents are hungry for value and experiences
      • Figure 47: Attitudes toward sauces/marinades, by parental status, 2021
  18. Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations

    • Data sources
    • Sales data
    • Forecast
    • Consumer survey data
    • Abbreviations and terms
    • Abbreviations
  19. Appendix – The Market

      • Figure 48: Total US retail sales and forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 49: Total US retail sales and forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 50: Total US retail sales and forecast of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by segment, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 51: Total US retail sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by segment, at current prices, 2019 and 2021
      • Figure 52: Total US retail sales and forecast of pasta and pizza sauce, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 53: Total US retail sales and forecast of pasta and pizza sauce, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 54: Total US retail sales and forecast of barbeque sauce, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 55: Total US retail sales and forecast of barbeque sauce, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 56: Total US retail sales and forecast of tomato bases, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 57: Total US retail sales and forecast of tomato bases, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 58: Total US retail sales and forecast of other sauces and gravy, at current prices, 2016-26
      • Figure 59: Total US retail sales and forecast of other sauces and gravy, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2016-26
  20. Appendix –Companies and Brands

      • Figure 60: Sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by company, year and year
      • Figure 61: Multi-outlet sales of pasta and pizza sauce, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2020 and 2021
      • Figure 62: Multi-outlet sales of barbeque sauce, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2020 and 2021
      • Figure 63: Multi-outlet sales of tomato bases, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2020 and 2021
      • Figure 64: Multi-outlet sales of other sauces and gravy, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2020 and 2021
  21. Appendix – Consumer

      • Figure 65: Average household spending on cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, 2016-21
  22. Appendix – Retail Channels

      • Figure 66: Total US retail sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by channel, at current prices, 2016-21
      • Figure 67: Total US retail sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, by channel, at current prices, 2019 and 2021
      • Figure 68: US supermarket sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades, at current prices, 2016-21
      • Figure 69: US sales of cooking sauces, pasta sauces and marinades through other retail channels, at current prices, 2016-21
  23. Appendix – TURF Analysis – Methodology

      • Figure 70: TURF Analysis – Purchase factors, 2021

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