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Specialty foods, products that have limited distribution and a reputation for high quality, have been steadily gaining in popularity as the American consumer has developed a more sophisticated and discerning palate. In fact, NASFT estimates that there are some 120,000 specialty foods SKUs in the marketplace today.

A number of factors have contributed to this growth: globalization in the food industry, a greater interest in high-quality ingredients, and more disposable income devoted to non-discretionary food purchases. In addition, a better-traveled consumer base has begun to seek out international foods in the U.S., spurred by a general change in eating patterns that includes more away-from-home eating. Paralleling the trend for international foods is a greater interest in regional American cuisines, a result of more sophisticated domestic travelers. At the same time, a more robust distribution network makes it possible to buy specialty foods in myriad venues from the Internet to the supermarket.

This report encompasses three years of sales data (2001-2003) for each of 36 segments, and discusses the positive and negative factors that may have a bearing on each segment’s future growth or decline. New products in each segment, drawn from Mintel’s GNPD database, are included in order to illustrate either representative examples in each product class or to point out new avenues that a product class is taking. The new products included in this report are not meant to be a comprehensive list of every recent launch in each specialty food segment, but to serve as examples only. Also included in this report is a comprehensive look at distribution channels within the specialty food trade, from importer and broker to retailer.

This report is designed to serve as a benchmark for the industry as a whole and for the specific segments included here. Not included are products that cannot be adequately tracked with current scanner technology, including meat, poultry, cheese, fish, dairy, and bakery (when sold PLU or in bulk). Fresh fruit and vegetables and some products within other segments (e.g. some confectionery products) are also not included. Also excluded from this report are alcoholic beverages, as the laws regarding the place of sale of these beverages vary from state to state, making it impossible to collect consistent sales data.