Key findings

“Hourglass' effect sees polarisation of demand in Brazil

The so-called “hourglass” effect, one of the main trends at present in Brazil, represents the polarisation of consumption that is driving the sales in different price tiers. While more affluent Brazilians are willing to pay for premium products that are seen as offering superior quality, lower-income consumers are tending to choose economy options.

Mexican consumers looking for healthier options

Mexican consumers are increasingly looking for products that contain healthy ingredients in their food and beverages. This trend, given further impetus by the pandemic, is driving the launch of new products, such as Knorr soups with claims such as "no preservatives" or "reduced salt", or McCormick's Balance mayonnaise line with avocado oil or sesame oil.

Precios Justos cutting the small local grocers' share in Argentina

Private label lines have lost ground in a number of key categories in Argentina, in part because their traditional price advantage has been diminished somewhat by the widespread participation of popular brands in the Precios Justos scheme. With Precios Justos not being available at small local grocers, this is also seeing this distribution channel lose share to modern grocery retail chains.

Players reformulating products due to on-pack labelling regulations

Black octagons or seals as on-pack warning labels about the high salt, sugar or fat content in packaged food products are being seen in an increasing number of countries in the region. This is leading industry players to utilise new ingredients or formulas to avoid them, boosting the number of products available with reduced or even zero levels of these contents.