September 19, 2024 – Globally, pizza is a mainstay in popular culture due to its indulgence, versatility, convenience and satisfaction it provides. Consumer trends toward pizza products are evolving. Through our 360 research into pizza industry trends, we highlight the latest product launches, top market insights, and what will likely develop in the future.
Pizza Product Launch and Sales Trends
Pizza displays an average 6% of launches in the ready meals and side dishes category over the past four years. This is driven by a focus on texture to create a more interesting and enjoyable eating experience. Launches with texture claims like crispy, tender, creamy and fluffy have boosted the product development. There has been a 4% rise in pizza sales value as a percentage of global ready meals and side dishes over the past five years.
With nearly 2 in 5 consumers willing to try plant-based versions of familiar foods, New Culture is tapping into this trend by introducing the first animal-free casein protein for pizza mozzarella in the US market. Using precision fermentation, New Culture has developed ‘cow cheese without the cow,’ a breakthrough determined to be Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). This innovation aligns with Innova’s annual Top Trend of 2024, “Plant-Based: The Rise of Applied Offerings,” where food manufacturers adapt well-known dishes and formats that offer familiarity and clarity to consumers who intend to embrace plant-based products. This mozzarella for pizzerias presents an encouraging choice catering to the growing interests of these consumers which might shape the pizza industry trends.
Leading Region in the Global Pizza Market
Pizza trends research reveals that Europe leads in global pizza launches and sales. This is driven by limited editions in different flavors and indulgent and premium claims. Options baked with a wood-fired oven, diverse cheese varieties like double mozzarella, provolone, and Emmental, along with chargrilled vegetables and smoked ingredients, have boosted the new product development in the pizza market.
Meanwhile, Asia Pacific has seen the fastest growth in pizza sales value globally over the past two years. The region’s product development includes seafood-topped pizzas, combinations of cheese with vegetables, and mushroom and meat toppings.
North America and Asia Pacific display high innovation and value growth in markets. Diverse pizza styles such as Neapolitan, Mexican and Roman, along with rising crust options and flavor blends like Margherita and basil and caramelized onion and mushrooms, have supported innovation in North America.
Top Companies and Brands in the Pizza Market
Dr. Oetker has been the market leader for pizza launches over the past year. The brand has driven by a variety of thin doughs, a range of Hawaiian pizzas and mini formats with a combination of cheese and tomato with salami, ham, pepperoni, or prosciutto toppings.
Pizza trends research highlights that Morrisons displays the highest growth rate of 41% of launches among the top 7 companies during the same period. The company’s growth is supported by stone baked launches, indulging cheese loaded options, and several combinations of meat toppings.
Top Pizza Positionings Trends
The top 5 positionings in the global pizza market are no additives or preservatives, vegetarian, traditional, source of protein, and gluten-free.
Apart from these top 5 positionings, indulgent and premium halal claims are gaining popularity in Asia Pacific, while consumers in Europe lean toward no trans fats, limited edition, and GMO-free. Pizza trends research shows that in the Middle East and Africa, halal and vegan claims are gaining consumer attention. Meanwhile, in North America, GMO-free, plant-based and vegan claims are on the rise. This highlights the diverse consumer demand for pizza products customized to their regional preferences.
Pizza Flavor Trends
Mozzarella cheese, cheese, pepperoni pizza, chicken, and Margherita pizza are the top 5 flavors in the global pizza market. Pizza trends research displays that pepperoni pizza flavor leads in Latin America and North America.
In Asia Pacific, there is a rising interest in mushroom, red tomato, and barbecue flavors. European consumers prefer flavors like mozzarella buffalo cheese, barbecue, and provolone cheese. Meanwhile, in Latin America, mushroom, red tomato and Hawaiian pizza flavors are gaining popularity. In the Middle East and Africa, quattro formaggi pizza, green olive and bacon flavors are growing, whereas in North America, onion, red tomato and spinach flavors are gaining consumer attention. These diverse global flavor preferences highlight a growing consumer desire for local and international tastes. This encourages innovation and diversification in the global pizza market to meet consumer preferences.
What’s Next?
Pizza launches have experienced a 2% growth over the past four years, driven by innovations in dough fermentation techniques and diverse baking methods like stone, wood, and convection ovens. Brands can tap into the health-conscious trend by offering better-for-you options, like pizzas made with plant, milk, and meat proteins, no trans fats, and non-hydrogenated oils.
Pizza trends research reveals that 52% of consumers globally prioritize taste and flavor when buying ready meals. This has reflected in the steady growth of flavored pizza launches. With a focus on smoked flavors and ethnic varieties like Italian, Korean bulgogi and Mexican, brands can enhance their appeal to adventurous consumers. As consumer tastes evolve, offering more diverse regional and plant-based pizza options is likely to drive growth in the global pizza market.
This article is based on our report, “Overview of Pizza – Global.” If you are interested in reading this report, feel free to request a demo.
You can do this by either booking a demo or using our Contact Form.
