At 49.7 million as of 2010, the U.S. Hispanic population is the largest minority group in the U.S. and is projected to increase 33% to 66.3 million by 2020. With purchasing power expected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2013, now is a crucial time for grocery retailers and manufacturers to understand the needs and desires of this influential ethnic group.

Although accounting for only 16% of the U.S. population, Hispanics spend more on groceries weekly than any other ethnic group per consumer unit. While the current economy has limited the financial ability of Hispanics to dine out often, it is good news for the grocery sector, as it encourages Hispanics to cook more at home. This is especially true of less acculturated, Spanish-dominant Hispanics, more than 25% of whom have increased their expenditures on produce, dairy, meat and fish in the past year. This change calls for marketing strategies that speak to this group linguistically, culturally and emotionally.

In this report, marketers will gain insights into the Hispanic grocery consumer, including:

Hispanics’ frequency of consumption and change in expenditures on fresh produce, meat, fish and dairy products, and how grocery manufacturers and retailers can offer products that meet the current and future needs of Hispanics

New opportunities for product categories that have not extensively penetrated the Hispanic market, including organics, soy, shelf-stable dairy and frozen and canned produce

An analysis of Hispanics’ spending behaviors and attitudes when shopping for groceries, based on gender, age, level of acculturation and household income

An analysis of current food and drink campaigns targeting Hispanics, and where advertising is still lacking in marketing to this ethnic group

An overview of the U.S. Hispanic population, including demographic distribution and differing levels of acculturation, and how this affects the groceries they select