Seafood Meal Kits – Consumers Are Clamoring
The market value of meal kits this year is estimated to be US$9.13 billion, up from $2.2 billion in 2017. By 2027, this figure is expected to more than double to $19.92 billion. This is hardly surprising when one considers the benefits these kits offer:
• Convenience—no grocery list, shopping, or searching for recipes
• Precise, healthy-sized portions
• A chance to experiment with new tastes
• The ability to filter kits based on allergies and food preferences
And these are just for starters.
Yet one area that may surprise is the surge in appetite for seafood meal kits. At some of the largest meal kit companies, for example, seafood accounted for 20 percent of sales in 2018 and has been on the rise ever since, including an unexpected boost from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, a survey found that after trying a seafood meal kit containing a pre-portioned fillet and detailed cooking instructions, 66 percent of recipients began cooking more seafood, including experimenting with different dishes.
Turning the Tide
The reasons for the increasing popularity of sea fare in meal kits are plentiful.
Health. Being high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and “good” fat—and low in “bad” fat and calories—the health benefits of seafood and fish are hard to beat. As diners become increasingly interested in eating healthier, fish and other kinds of seafood are scoring big wins.
Diversity. The only thing more varied than the types of quality seafood available—from shrimp and calamari to trout and branzino—is variety of delicious ways they can be fixed to tantalize every palate and ethnicity. Based on this diversification and growing demand, the variety of seafood offerings in meal kits has exploded in recent years, allowing buyers more room for experimentation.
Quick and easy. With their exact portions and clear, concise cooking instructions, meal kits have shown subscribers who previously feared it was difficult to cook seafood that it is downright easy. Moreover, seafood requires minimal prep time and cooking in as little as 1 to 3 minutes (shrimp) and 8 to 10 minutes (most fish). Busy workers, parents, students, and other cooks pressed for time are falling hard for these fast, healthy fixin’s.
Sustainable. As the world’s spotlight turns increasingly toward renewable food sources, seafood scores again. Reputable suppliers are making sure their sources are using the most sustainable fishing and fish-farming practices possible, which makes meal kit buyers more comfortable choosing seafood options, especially since portioned amounts also reduce food waste.
Dietary preferences. Many people who don’t eat meat or chicken struggle with ways to get their necessary protein, Omega 3, and other nutrients. Seafood—especially in meal kits’ appropriate protein-packed portions—offers them a great alternative. The low caloric count of fish and correct portions also appeal to people on weight-loss programs, while the ability to filter kit orders by ingredients caters to those with allergies or other specific dietary needs.
Economic alternative. Many meal kit advocates are finding they are able to have seafood fixed at home in unique and delicious ways, without having to rely strictly on restaurants, especially during these challenging times.
Convenience. If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is the benefits of food delivery. Meal kit subscribers have all the advantages listed above delivered safely and contact-less directly to their doors. Another convenience spurred on by the pandemic is the increase in retail meal kits, which also have expanded their seafood offerings. These provide buyers convenience as well as reduces the time spent shopping for ingredients or searching for dinner ideas. This trend is predicted to grow in coming years.
With all these benefits, if you haven’t tried a seafood meal kit, it’s time to catch the wave.