Food and Beverage update Q4 2020

Food & beverage public market update: 2020 recap

The food & beverage industry was negatively impacted by Covid-19 beginning in early March 2020 with dramatic declines in both the equity and M&A markets

As shown in the charts below, the decline in the equity markets for certain subsectors quickly recovered by June 2020 with strong performance by retail grocery focused food manufacturers and fast casual and quick service restaurant chains which benefitted from drive-through and online capabilities

Since June 2020, the distribution industry, primarily foodservice, and the premium restaurant sector have witnessed a significant recovery as economies began to reopen and the vaccine became more of a reality. We expect continued strong performance in the restaurant sector overall driven by pent-up consumer demand

Produce consumption in the U.S.

Strong underlying trends towards healthy eating and sustainability practices are expected to boost U.S. fruit and vegetable consumption in the future.

The year 2020 was like no other. Beginning in March, businesses across all industries had to deal with the impact of Covid-19: customer disruptions, supply chain and logistical issues, and employee health & safety challenges, all within the “stay-at-home” environment. The produce supply chain similarly underwent critical disruptions in 2020. The immediate shutdown of restaurants and other foodservice channels in conjunction with a spike in retail demand forced all industry players to be more agile. Growers and suppliers to foodservice chains had to find immediate alternative buyers for their produce, with many shifting to retail and direct-to-consumer models

While consumer interest for healthier based diets has been increasing in recent years, Covid-19 and its impact on people’s health accelerated the shift and pushed consumers to pay attention to the types of foods they consume and how these foods affect their long-term health. Consumers are focusing more on products with perceived benefits from antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals thought to boost health systems and longevity. Superfoods such as berries and avocadoes have witnessed strong growth during Covid-19 due to their nutrient dense health claims. As illustrated in the chart below, consumer eating and shopping habits created by the pandemic drove double digit growth across the produce space

Significant Upside Potential to Produce Consumption in the U.S.

Even though consumers interest in healthier diets has historically increased, current consumption patterns still show fruit and vegetable deficiencies in the American diet. The under-representation of fruits and vegetables offers the produce industry an opportunity to further penetrate consumer meals through marketing strategies focusing on health and raising awareness about the nutritional benefits of produce consumption

Only 10% of Americans consume the recommended daily amount of fruits and vegetables.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The produce industry is expected to play a vital role in establishing a global food system that can feed the growing global population in a sustainable and healthy way. The EAT-Lancet report suggests consumption of fruit and vegetables has to double by 2050 to ensure human health and environmental sustainability and protecting the planet for future generations