American vs. Canadian Food Preferences

CHICAGOTwo new market reports from the NPD Group reveal differences and similarities in projected regional eating patterns for Americans and Canadians over the next 10 years. The findings have major implications for food companies in terms of long-term product and packaging innovation, distribution and recipe development.

According to A Look into the Future of Eating-Canadian Marketplace" and A Look into the Future of Eating-United States Marketplace," Americans are projected to increase their consumption of sweet snacks and desserts three times more than Canadians within the next 10 years. Canadians consumption of snack foods will outpace its population growth, with more Canucks preferring salty or savory snacks like cheese, chips and crackers compared to Americans preference for sweet treats.

When it comes to morning meals, Americans will increase their consumption of heat and eat" breakfast foods, such as bagels and frozen pancakes, while Canadians will decrease their consumption of the same products. The reports also projected Americans will consumer more salads, warm side dishes and main dish proteins, like meat or fish, over Canadians.

Eating behaviors are influenced by a variety of factors and certainly culture is among those factors," said Ann Hanson, executive director, product development- NPD U.S. and author of the report. Americans and Canadians have many of the same foods and beverages available to them but what, how, when and where we eat does reflect the totality of a countrys culture."

The reports also found convenience to be a key factor in the consumption of foods with both Americans and Canadians. Easy meals, such as yogurt, fruit, and snack bars, and heat-and-eat entrees like canned soup and frozen pizza, are projected to grow almost equally in both countries over the next decade.

Although the U.S. and Canada share a continent its important for food and beverage companies marketing in both countries to understand that the likes, dislikes, needs and wants of each countrys consumers are different and will be different in the future," Hanson said.