The edible oils market has suffered a slight decline of 1% in value since Mintel's last report in December 2001, primarily because of a shift in the nation's eating and cooking habits, which are evolving to exclude cooking oils. Across the review period 1998-2003, value sales of edible oils have fallen from £192 million in 1998 to an estimated £190 million in 2003. While standard cooking oils continue to be the most widely used type of liquid oil, olive oil has superseded the value sales of standard oil, despite it only having 16% volume share of the liquid market. Although the premium price of olive oil has previously helped to inhibit the waning value of the whole market, the devaluing power of own-label has started to place pressure on the margins of premium oils. Consequently, Mintel Market Intelligence’s latest report examines the concept that it is crucial for manufacturers to continue to develop the premium end of the market through a series of new product launches, brand extensions and re-branding to ensure further consumer investment. By investigating this hypothesis, Mintel’s report offers you new insight into:

The true significance of this dip in value sales

The challenges posed to the edible oils market by ready meals and convenience items

The need to educate consumers about the extensive range of uses that edible oils can be put to within traditional cooking and baking

Health as a key driver in the edible oils market, and a strong marketing point for those oils with perceived health benefits.

Solid vs. liquid edible oils - terminal decline vs. market sustenance

The competition that is challenging standard oil's 84% share of volume sales in the liquid category - the rise of olive oil

The popularity of olive oil among ABC1 consumers and the foundations for the rise of a thriving speciality oil sector - significant growth opportunities.

How manufacturers are trying to raise consumer awareness of the wide variety of oils available on retailer shelves.

The effects of increased competition from smaller rivals on the shelf space of the main brands and consumers' knowledge of the differences in taste and use between the oils.

The effects of the growing presence of own-label and everyday low pricing strategies (EDLP) adopted by retailers on the market value of the olive oil sectors.

This report covers the UK retail market for edible oils sold through mainstream grocery markets and for use in domestic food preparation. It includes blended vegetable oil (which is usually rapeseed) and single-seed oils such as sunflower and corn, plus olive (including virgin and extra virgin), peanut, walnut and other varieties of speciality oil. The market for spray oils is also included.

Also included in this report are solid oils such as Pura Solid Vegetable Oil, compound cooking fats such as Trex, and animal fat-based lard.

Excluded from this report are oils used in the catering trade and food manufacturing industry. Yellow fats such as butter and margarine are not included here but are covered in Yellow Fats - UK, Market Intelligence, July 2003. Suet is also excluded from this analysis as it is covered in Home Baking - UK, Market Intelligence, August 2002.

Following these definitions, this report provides new analysis of:

Market drivers/ Market sizes and trends/ Market segmentation/ The supply structure/ New product briefs/ Advertising and promotion/ Distribution/ The consumer - usage and type of oil purchased/

The consumer - attitudes towards edible oils/ The market's future prospects/ Sales forecasts