The food embargo and plummeting rouble have increased demand for canned vegetables, leading to a 20-65% growth in sales for the sector’s leaders. French group Bonduelle, specialising in frozen and canned vegetables, were the first to announce a clear increase in sales.
In Bonduelle’s report of the first 2014/15 semester (starting 1st July 2014), the group mentioned “particularly high sales” in Russia. They do not give concrete figures per country, but show that over the last six months, income from the Non-European Zone (Russia, USA, Canada) has increased by 13.7% reaching €379.4 million. The report also stated that sales had increased by 17.2% since October 2014.
The group explains the increased revenues by a growth in sales. Since the increase in prices of imported products and the food embargo, demand for products offered by Bonduelle and Globus has increased in Russia. Other leaders on the Russian canned vegetable market have confirmed this trend. The group Ruspole Brands have reported a 65% increase in sales (75% in roubles). Pomidorpom have noted a 40-45% increase. According to Diksi supermarket’s representative, Ekaterina Koumanina, ready to cook vegetables, salad ingredients (peas, sweetcorn) and marinades are particularly popular with consumers.