#frozen food market report

[strangemusictriumph]

Frozen Food Market - Forecast (2022 - 2027)

Frozen Food market Overview:

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, nearly one third of the food produced every year amounting to roughly $680 billion (approximately 1.3 billion tons) gets either wasted, or lost[1]

.  The issue of food wastage has given birth to the frozen food market which is experiencing a colossal growth with an increase in disposable income, and accentuated refrigeration technology. According to the analyst at Industry ARC, the global frozen food market size in 2018 stood between $225 billion to $228 billion. The market is estimated to grow steadily with a normal CAGR of 3.5%-5% during the forecast period of 2019-2025. Geographically, Europe led the frozen food market with a regional share of 30%-32% in 2018 owing to an increase in mergers and acquisitions between vendors and hypermarkets. On-the-go consumption of food is also driving the European frozen food market. 

Frozen Food Market Outlook: 

The prospect for frozen food market has never seemed brighter. With a growing awareness in food trends, consumers are resorting to cooking fresh meals at home which are free from any preservatives. For this, they require frozen foods which come in extensive categories these days, some of which are dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, low fat, etc. Availability of high quality frozen foods makes market growth easier, and less prone to negative fluctuation. Recent trends in technology have introduced cryogenic freezing which prevents addition of any artificial preservatives, while maintaining negligible growth of microorganisms at the same time. Ready meals, a key segment of the frozen food market, is expected to grow at a standard CAGR of 2.5%-4%. It is a convenient, and accessible option for the working class society which is perpetually busy, and consistently short on time. 

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Frozen Food Market Growth Drivers:

An Increasing Demand for Preservative Free Food

With an increase in organic produce demand, consumers are incessantly on the lookout for fresh vegetables, seafood, and fruits that do not have a short shelf life. Since most of the organic produce expires quickly, hypermarkets are resorting to freezing of frozen foods which customers are interested in buying. Cryogenic freezing of food items extends their shelf lives, and makes them free from any added preservatives. Consumers flock towards these products, and help frozen food market in attaining noticeable growth.

The Shopping Trends of Millennials

Contrary to popular beliefs on millennials being irresponsible buyers, frozen food market heavily relies on their purchasing trends. Millennials are ready to experiment, and invest on novel things unlike the generation before them. They also tend to buy products that preserve their time, and are easy to handle. These traits fuel the market growth of frozen foods as they are convenient, and ready to use, exactly how millennials might prefer. This generation, which drowns in student debts, and underpaying jobs relies majorly on the frozen food market for their nutritional needs.  

Frozen Food Market Challenges: 

One of the basic challenges faced by the frozen food market is the lack of a proper supply chain system, and the consistent fear of cold chain systems failing. Since frozen foods require a set optimum temperature around -18°C, even the slightest failure in cold chain system can result in massive wastage. A thoroughly functioning power backup, and consistent vigilance is required for assuring negligible frozen food loss. 

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Frozen Food Market Key Players Perspective:

According to the analyst at IndustryArc, some of the key players in the frozen food market are Nestle SA, Unilever, Kellogg Company , General Mills Inc, Conagra Brands, Inc., Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V., McCain Foods Limited , Kraft Heinz Company, and Associated British. 

In 2018, after recognizing the frozen food preference patterns of millennials, and losing out to rivals like LeanMeals, Nestle increased production in its US factories, and introduced a plethora of items in its lineup like frozen coconut chickpea curry, and sweet earth lover’s veggie pizza[2]

 Frozen Food Market Trends:

Improved Supply Chain Management

In order to make sure that the frozen food market continues to grow, and is not obstructed by food wastage, companies are employing an ameliorated supply chain management system. Reefer trucks are being used to consistently maintain an optimum environment for frozen foods to stay fresh. These trucks are now being fitted with third party GPS technologies for timely deliveries. This being a primary market disruption, is driving the growth of frozen food market in a positive direction. 

The Rise Of IQF Food

IQF stands for ‘individually quick frozen’ which implies that all the items in a frozen food packet are frozen individually, and not as a block. The method involves passing of every individual piece of food through a blast chiller on a conveyor belt. This assures freshness in the food items even after thawing. An amount of peas for example, if frozen using IQF technique and packed in a carton, lidded tray, or crystallized PET tray will sell faster owing to its freshness as compared to the one frozen using ordinary refrigerant technique. 

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Frozen Food Market Research Scope:

The base year of the study is 2018, with forecast done up to 2025. The study presents a thorough analysis of the competitive landscape, taking into account the market shares of the leading companies. It also provides information on unit shipments. These provide the key market participants with the necessary business intelligence and help them understand the future of the frozen food market. The assessment includes the forecast, an overview of the competitive structure, the market shares of the competitors, as well as the market trends, market demands, market drivers, market challenges, and product analysis. The market drivers and restraints have been assessed to fathom their impact over the forecast period. This report further identifies the key opportunities for growth while also detailing the key challenges and possible threats. The key areas of focus include the types of cheese in the frozen food market, and their specific applications in different areas.

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Frozen Food market Report: Industry Coverage

Frozen food market can be segmented on the basis of type, and distribution channels. Based on distribution channels, the market can be divided into supermarkets, hypermarkets, online stores, and convenience stores. On the basis of type, the market can be bifurcated into ready to eat meals, seafood, vegetables, fruits, etc. 

The frozen food market report also analyzes the major geographic regions for the market as well as the major countries for the market in these regions. The regions and countries covered in the study include:

North America: The U.S., Canada, Mexico

South America: Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica

Europe: The U.K., Germany, Italy, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Denmark

APAC: China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong

Middle East and Africa: Israel, South Africa, Saudi Arabia

For more Food and Beverage Market related reports, please click here

[ananya5400]

Frozen Foods Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape, Trend, Opportunities, Industry Analysis, and Forecast

The global frozen foods market, valued at USD 284.2 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1%, reaching USD 363.7 billion by 2028. Rising consumer demand for convenient meal solutions due to busier lifestyles is driving this growth. Innovations in freezing and packaging technologies have enhanced the quality and shelf life of frozen foods, making them more attractive to consumers. Furthermore, increasing concerns about food waste and a preference for longer-lasting food items are boosting the popularity of frozen products. The growing range of healthier frozen options, including fruits, vegetables, and organic items, aligns with the trend towards health and wellness, fueling further expansion in the market.

Frozen Foods Market Drivers: Rapid Growth in Packaged Food & Beverage Drives Growth in the Frozen Foods Market

The rapid expansion of the packaged food and beverage industry is significantly driving the growth of the frozen foods market. This dynamic is due to several key factors. First, the rise in demand for packaged foods is linked to shifting consumer lifestyles and preferences. Today’s consumers value convenience, portability, and extended shelf life.

Frozen foods perfectly match these demands, offering convenient, ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare meal options. They provide a practical solution for individuals and families seeking quick and hassle-free dining alternatives.

Additionally, the strong distribution networks and marketing strategies of the packaged food industry help frozen food products reach a wider audience. This mutual growth benefits both sectors as they address the evolving consumer desire for convenience and variety in their food options.

Frozen Foods Market Opportunities: Rising disposable incomes in emerging economies, driving frozen foods segment

The growth of processed food trade presents a major opportunity for the frozen foods market. As global trade networks expand, the frozen foods industry stands to gain in several ways. First, increased international trade allows for a greater exchange of processed foods, including frozen options, giving consumers access to a broader selection of global products and enhancing their culinary experiences. Second, globalization facilitates the import and export of frozen food ingredients, leading to cost-effective sourcing of raw materials. This can result in more competitive pricing and higher profitability for frozen food manufacturers. Additionally, international trade fosters innovation and the creation of new frozen food products tailored to diverse regional tastes, which can attract a wider consumer base and drive market growth.

Frozen Foods Market Trends

Health and Wellness: Consumers are increasingly seeking healthier frozen food options, including those with organic ingredients, fewer additives, and lower sodium content. There's a growing demand for frozen fruits, vegetables, and lean protein options as people become more health-conscious.

Plant-Based Alternatives: With the rise in vegetarianism, veganism, and flexitarian diets, there's a surge in demand for plant-based frozen foods. This includes plant-based meat substitutes, dairy-free ice creams, and vegetable-based frozen meals, catering to the needs of diverse dietary preferences.

Convenience and Time-Saving: Busy lifestyles and hectic schedules have fueled the demand for convenient meal solutions. Frozen foods offer quick and easy meal options without compromising on taste or nutrition. Single-serve frozen meals, microwaveable snacks, and pre-cut frozen produce are gaining popularity among consumers seeking hassle-free meal solutions.

Premiumization: Consumers are willing to pay more for higher-quality frozen food products. Brands are focusing on premium ingredients, innovative packaging, and gourmet flavors to differentiate themselves in the market. Premium frozen pizzas, artisanal ice creams, and specialty frozen appetizers are witnessing increased demand among discerning consumers.

Europe Dominates the Frozen Foods Market Share.

Europe is a major center for frozen vegetable consumption, fueled by busy lifestyles and a growing demand for convenient, nutritious, and cost-effective food options. Increased incomes and evolving dietary preferences are driving this market, with a notable shift toward plant-based diets. Key opportunities for vegetable suppliers are concentrated in Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands. The rising awareness of the nutritional benefits of frozen vegetables over fresh and refrigerated options is boosting demand, particularly among younger consumers.

In 2021, Europe imported frozen vegetables worth €3 billion, totaling 2.8 million tonnes. Of these imports, 91% came from within Europe, while only 9% were sourced from developing countries. Europe’s position as a leading global producer of frozen vegetables supports this predominantly internal trade. Germany, with a 20% market share, is the top importer, followed by France (18%) and Belgium (14%). Germany and France, in particular, are key focus markets, while Belgium, although a significant producer and exporter, also imports some vegetable varieties. Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden are also important markets in Europe.

Germany ranks as the world’s third-largest importer of frozen vegetables, trailing only the United States and Japan, and leads Europe in this sector. In 2021, 90% of Germany’s frozen vegetable imports came from other European countries, with the remaining 10% sourced from developing nations. This strong intra-European import activity plays a crucial role in the growth of the European frozen foods market.

The contract catering sector, where organizations outsource catering services to specialized companies, is gaining traction across businesses, public authorities, childcare centers, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and correctional institutions in Europe. According to Food Service Europe, the contract catering industry has an annual turnover exceeding USD 26.59 billion and shows significant growth potential, as only 35% of European firms or collective organizations providing social food services currently have catering contracts.

Top Frozen Foods Companies

The key players in this market include General Mills Inc. (US), Nestlé (Switzerland), Unilever (Netherlands), McCain Foods Limited (Canada), Conagra Brands, Inc. (US), Kellogg's Company (US), Grupo Bimbo (Mexico), and The Kraft Heinz Company (US)

[supriyab]

The global frozen foods market size was USD 284.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 363.7 billion in 2028, at a CAGR of 5.1%.

[vijukumar]

Navigating the Frosty Terrain: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Frozen Food Market

In the ever-evolving landscape of the global food industry, the frozen food market stands as a resilient and dynamic player. Over the years, frozen food has transcended its conventional perception as a convenient alternative to fresh produce, carving its niche as a thriving industry. This blog delves into the multifaceted dimensions of the Frozen Food Market, exploring its size, trends, major players, and the driving forces behind its growth.

Frozen Food Market Size and Growth:

The frozen food market has witnessed a substantial surge in size, owing to changing consumer lifestyles and an increasing demand for convenient and time-saving food options. According to recent industry reports, the global frozen food market is projected to experience robust growth over the next few years. The global frozen food market size was estimated at USD 408.49 billion in 2023 and it is projected to surpass around USD 612.28 billion by 2032 with a registered CAGR of around 4.6% from 2023 to 2032. This expansion is fueled by factors such as urbanization, busy schedules, and the global adoption of Western dietary patterns.

Market Trends:

Several trends are shaping the frozen food market, reflecting the evolving preferences of consumers. One prominent trend is the rising popularity of healthier frozen food options. Consumers are now seeking frozen products that not only offer convenience but also align with their health and wellness goals. This has led to the emergence of a variety of frozen fruits, vegetables, and meals with reduced preservatives and additives.

Another noteworthy trend is the surge in demand for premium and gourmet frozen food products. As consumers become more discerning, they are willing to explore high-quality frozen options, ranging from exotic cuisines to chef-inspired creations. The market is responding with innovative offerings that cater to the demand for both convenience and indulgence.

Market Outlook and Forecast:

The future of the frozen food market appears promising, with a positive outlook and optimistic growth forecasts. Market analysts predict a steady expansion driven by advancements in freezing technologies, increased product diversification, and strategic collaborations within the industry. The market is anticipated to witness a surge in investment, leading to the development of new and innovative frozen food products.

Major Players in the Frozen Food Industry:

The frozen food sector is home to a plethora of major players, each contributing to the market's growth and competitiveness. Some of the key industry leaders include established brands and innovative startups alike. Companies such as Nestle, Conagra Brands, McCain Foods, and General Mills are at the forefront, continually adapting to consumer preferences and market dynamics.

Market Share and Competition:

The frozen food market is characterized by intense competition among key players vying for a significant market share. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, companies are investing in research and development to stay ahead of the curve. The market share dynamics are influenced by factors such as product innovation, pricing strategies, and the ability to adapt to changing consumer demands.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the frozen food market is undergoing a transformative journey, fueled by evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements. The industry's growth trajectory, marked by innovative product offerings and strategic collaborations, positions it as a key player in the global food market. As we navigate this frosty terrain, it is evident that the frozen food sector is not just about convenience but also about delivering quality, variety, and health-conscious choices to consumers worldwide. The frozen food market is poised for continued growth, promising exciting opportunities and challenges for industry players in the years to come.

[pravalika]

North America Ice-creams & Frozen Desserts Market - Forecast (2023 - 2028)

Ice-creams and frozen desserts are frozen foods traditionally eaten as snacks and desserts. Most of the ice-creams are usually prepared from dairy products such as cream and milk. Sweeteners, stabilizers, preservatives, flavors, colors and emulsifiers are added to enhance the taste and shelf-life of these products. Various cultures in the world have different varieties of ice creams and frozen desserts popular in their countries, for instance, Gelato and Kulfi are popular traditional frozen delicacies in Italy and India respectively. Nowadays ice-cream novelties and artisanal ice-creams exhibit higher growth as ice-cream manufacturers strive for product innovation for new customer acquisition.

North America Ice-creams and frozen desserts market exhibit a stable growth of 1.5% in the forecast period 2015-2020. Slowdown in the U.S. and Canada markets is estimated in the coming years owing to the aging population and saturated market. Mexico on the other hand has a very young demographic but its growth is restrained owing to unfavourable climatic conditions Gelato and frozen yoghurt exhibit strong growth owing to rising consumer awareness. Manufacturers are introducing new flavors and innovative packaging capture market share.

This report segments the North America Ice-creams and frozen desserts market by type and by channel with focus on the major economies of U.S., Canada and Mexico. Packaged ice-creams and frozen desserts market covers major categories like ice-cream and frozen novelties and other categories such as yoghurt, gelato and frozen custard. The report throws light on the major distribution channels such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, kiosk, ice-cream specialty shops and mobile vendors.

Sample Companies profiled in this Report are:

Unilever

Nestle

David Chapman Ice Cream Ltd

[niallsgoldhoop]

Chapter One

Niall

I’ve always loved the smell of fresh cut grass.

When I was a teenager it usually meant that someone was about to hand me some cash for taking care of their lawn.

Now?

Now it reminds me of how lucky I am to spend my days at my favorite place on earth and call it work.

To call it mine.

Standing with a steaming cup of coffee in my hand, I can’t help but smile as my eyes look out over the perfectly manicured rolling green hills.

“Ready for another day?”

Rory Barnes steps up next to me with his own cup of coffee. When we met years ago, neither one of us expected that one day we would get to work side by side. Hiring him as a general manager has remained one of the best business decisions that I’ve ever made.

“You know I’m always ready.” I laugh. “Anything interesting going on today?”

Rory blows out a breath, the steam from his coffee disappearing. “Not that I know of. I’ve got a few final interviews so that we can hire a new marketing executive since Rhonda retired.”

“Rhonda will be missed. How many people are you down to?” Turning to face him, I drain the rest of my coffee and cross my arms over my chest.

“There’s four.” Keeping his gaze over the vast expanse before us, he smiles. “I think I know who would be the best fit, but I wanted to give everyone the same amount of interviews to try and steal my attention like they have.”

“Whoever you think is best works for me.” My watch vibrates on my wrist with a reminder of a meeting in ten minutes. “I’ve got to get to my office, but just let me know how it goes, okay?”

Lifting his coffee cup in my direction, he smiles. “Have fun with that.”

Laughter mixes between the two of us as I walk away, headed through the oversized glass doors and through the open floor plan of the clubhouse. It’s been four years and every single day that I get to walk on this property it still blows my mind.

As soon as I step into my office, my eyes travel across the awards and trophies and all the way up to the framed green jacket hanging above from my desk.

My office is a highlight of the career that I once had— the one that felt like it was cut short after a few too many surgeries, but also the career that gave me everything that I have now.

Sitting down in the plush chair and reaching for the tortoise shell glasses that sit on my desk, they rest on the bridge of my nose as I pull up the reports and grab a notebook and a pen from the ‘best boss’ mug that one of my employees bought me.

Meetings always seem to be one of my least favorite places to be, but when you own and run a prestigious business it only comes with the territory. So I put on a smile as the screen on my computer fills with other faces, thankful that this is one meeting I don’t have to travel for.

Not that I don’t like to travel, but sometimes it’s nice to be where you are.

It’s nice to be home.

————

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s the grocery store.

At least after work.

Everyone rushes around trying to grab things without paying any attention to their surroundings.

It feels like an actual nightmare every single time.

Usually I make a point to come early on a Sunday morning or just have my groceries delivered, but sometimes there is something I need that just isn’t already in my pantry.

Like ice cream.

That’s the real reason that brought me here yet the basket hanging from my arm is full of other odds and ends.

Mostly things that I definitely don’t need.

Muscle memory takes me closer to the frozen foods, specifically the ice cream I’m desperate for, only when I turn to go down the aisle my body collides with another sending the basket in my arm and theirs crashing to the ground.

In a matter of seconds, the lighter tan color of my pants seems unrecognizable as dark soda explodes at my feet and covers the fabric along with the pickle juice from a broken glass jar.

So not only do I have soda dripping down into my shoes, I now smell like I’ve showered in pickle juice.

“Oh my fucking god, I am so sorry!” The dark haired woman drops to her knees to start trying to pick up the pieces of glass that she can. “I can pay you for new pants— Or to have those cleaned.”

Taking a deep breath through my nose, I crouch down and reach for her hand before pulling it away from the broken glass so that she doesn’t cut herself, an odd sensation zipping through me at the touch. “Don’t worry about it. Accidents happen.”

“No, really.” Rich, chocolate brown hair falls down into her face only for her to push it back behind her ear. “I’m sorry. It was stupid of me to not pay attention to where I was going because I was in a hurry.”

She lists off the exact reason why I didn’t want to come to the grocery store tonight, yet for whatever reason, I can’t find it in me to be annoyed.

Quite the opposite actually.

“It’s not the end of the world, I promise.” Grabbing the things from my basket and placing them back inside, I stay crouched in front of her. “Are you alright? Hurt anywhere?”

“No, everything is fine.” With a small smile, she follows my actions by placing her things in her basket minus the broken pickle jar and the soda that has soaked into my pants. “I’m not hurt. Well, besides my pride at least.”

“You sure?” I ask as we both stand up. “I’d hate for you to be hurt.”

Looking from her left to her right, she takes a step back from me with a tight smile on her full pink lips. “Yeah, I’m sure. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.” I smile. “Besides my pants.”

“Really, I can pay for—“

Waving my hand in front of my face, I give her another smile of my own. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Okay.” Her dark chocolate gaze drops down to her basket full of snacks and a couple pints of ice cream. “Have a good night.”

With that she turns on her heel and makes her way out of the aisle faster than I may have seen anyone move before, leaving me standing alone at the scene of the crime.

Alone and covered in soda.

And smelling like pickles.

————

THE FIRST CHAPTER!!!!

let me know what you think!!

-Alex 🍀

ps i know this is SO SHORT but i’m gonna update the other chapters too!!

[darkmaga-retard]

by Brian Shilhavy Editor, Health Impact News

The Marshall Project, a “nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that seeks to create and sustain a sense of national urgency about the U.S. criminal justice system,” just published an investigative report about a topic I have written about for the past decade, which is that States can take your baby away from you anytime they want based simply on a drug test, even if that drug test is false.

Hospitals use drug tests that return false positives from poppy seed bagels, decongestants and Zantac. Yet newborns are being taken from parents based on the results. Susan Horton had been a stay-at-home mom for almost 20 years, and now — pregnant with her fifth child — she felt a hard-won confidence in herself as a mother. Then she ate a salad from Costco. It was her final meal before going to Kaiser Permanente hospital in Santa Rosa, in northern California, to give birth in August 2022. It had been an exhausting pregnancy. Her family had just moved houses, and Horton was still breastfeeding her toddler. Because of her teenage son’s heart condition, she remained wary of COVID-19 and avoided crowded places, even doctor’s offices. Now, already experiencing the clawing pangs of contractions, she pulled out a frozen pizza and a salad with creamy everything dressing, savoring the hush that fell over the house, the satisfying crunch of the poppy seeds as she ate. Horton didn’t realize that she would be drug tested before her child’s birth. Or that the poppy seeds in her salad could trigger a positive result on a urine drug screen, the quick test that hospitals often use to check pregnant patients for illicit drugs. Many common foods and medications — from antacids to blood pressure and cold medicines — can prompt erroneous results. The morning after Horton delivered her daughter, a nurse told her she had tested positive for opiates. Horton was shocked. She hadn’t requested an epidural or any narcotic pain medication during labor — she didn’t even like taking Advil. “You’re sure it was mine?” she asked the nurse. If Horton had been tested under different circumstances — for example, if she was a government employee and required to be tested as part of her job — she would have been entitled to a more advanced test and to a review from a specially trained doctor to confirm the initial result. But as a mother giving birth, Horton had no such protections. The hospital quickly reported her to child welfare, and the next day, a social worker arrived to take baby Halle into protective custody. (Source.)

And if you are tempted to think that this was all just an honest mistake made possible by too much bureaucracy, and that this could never happen intentionally, I will remind you that this is the same county in California, Sonoma County, where a foster and adoptive parent was just sentenced to six consecutive life sentences in prison last week for torturing, starving, raping and sodomizing his three foster children, whom he kept hidden from the public for 10 years, with the help of the Sonoma County Family, Youth and Children’s Services (FYCS). See:

California Foster Father Sentenced to 6 Life Terms in Child Sex Trafficking Case: Hid Children for 10 Years Where They Were Chained, Raped, Tortured, and Starved

The Marshall Project investigation does a good job showing how widespread and common this problem is of taking babies away from parents on false drug tests.

[chickensoup-4-mysoul]

herculean (drrr x f!reader) - chapter 25

chapter 25 - retrograde

synopsis: you're not sure where to go.

word count: 2,614

warnings: descriptions of homelessness, starvation, implied torture

"it's all of the good that won't come out of them and all the stupid lies they hide behind it's such a big mistake standing here on this frozen lake,, the good that won't come out - rilo kiley

It’s been two days since you ran away from Leanne’s house.

After countless hours of aimless wandering, you’ve strayed from your home town. You don’t recognize the names on any street signs, but you could tell when you had crossed lines into another county. Thankfully, the area was much less populated than in your city. You were too skittish to even stand face to face with a person, let alone be surrounded by people.

You stand over a sink, splashing your face with lukewarm water. Before, you would rather die than set foot in a gas station bathroom. Now, you happily shut yourself up in one. A warm, closed-in space where no one can see you. You have a feeling that this would soon become a luxury. The sound of brisk knocking quickly dissipates all of your relaxation. Huffing through your nose, you reluctantly open the door. You duck your head as you exit, avoiding eye contact with the man who goes in after you. 

You idly peruse through aisles, procrastinating on your departure from the place. Your stomach grumbles as you look through the different snacks. If only you had money on you. A rapid jingle and loud female voice pique your interest. Looking around, you find that the voice belongs to a reporter on a beaten-up old TV.

“This just in, the police have officially begun a full-scale investigation on a case discovered just the other night. Detectives are searching high and low for the person responsible for the deaths of Renee Hall, Katherine Harker, and Leanne Clarence--now sensationally nicknamed the ‘Three of a Kind Murders’. More tonight at seven.”

Your eyes shoot open as pictures of Renee, Katherine, and Leanne flash over the screen. Any other reports are drowned out by the panicked ringing in your ears. Everyone else in the station seems thoroughly engrossed. A mother in the next isle shakes her head, before dotting her shoulders, nose, and heart with her fingers in a cross shape. You frantically breeze out of the store while everyone is distracted. 

You almost bump into an elderly man as you speed through the doors, but you don’t even stop to apologize. Gravel crunches beneath your feet from how fast you walk, and after you’re a good distance away, you begin running. 

Further. You need to go further.

...

It’s been two weeks.

You couldn’t go for much longer without eating--but with the morsels you managed to get your hands on, you were constantly hungry. As much as you tried to avoid it, it quickly became clear that you wouldn’t make it much longer without stealing. However, you were very bad at it. It took all of your courage just to snag a small apple from an outdoor market. All it would take was one eye on you, then the police would be on your feet--and it would all be over...

Leaning against an alley wall, you take the last bite of your thoroughly bruised banana. You toss it into a nearby dumpster, lamenting how you had finished it in what felt like half a second. After a mere minute of shallow satisfaction, your stomach growls again. You groan and slide down the wall behind you.

...

It’s been a month.

You cut off all of your hair. Going so long without properly washing it, the itch in your scalp was driving you crazy. You spent half an hour practically sawing it off with a piece of broken glass. It looked terrible, choppy, uneven and sticking out in all directions...but the itch subsided--in your scalp at least. Skin all over your body had angrily reddened with scratch marks from your own nails’ assault. There were days where all you could do is sit and hiss through your teeth, rendered immobile by the incessant crawling sensations.

Fast food places were the best sources of food. The dumpsters behind them, that is. They threw away a lot of food, sometimes still wrapped. The first night you discovered this, you sat and ate for an hour, feasting on stale burger buns and cold sandwiches. You felt a fullness in your stomach for the first time in God knows how long. 

You’ve saved every piece of change you’ve found. Stray coins on the sidewalk and in parking lots. You don’t know what you’re gonna buy with it, so you simply watch as it collects in your pocket. It’s not a lot, maybe three dollars or so, but the fact that you have it is comfort enough.

...

It’s been two months.

You used your change to buy a new shirt from a thrift store.

It’s getting hotter by the minute. Even in the shaded backways you lingered in, the humid air practically suffocated you. Sweat soaked your shirt constantly, and somehow, it was the worst out of all the uncomfortable sensations you were experiencing. It reminded you of the night you had thrown your clothed body into chlorinated water and changed your life for good.

You held your hands under a faucet, collecting cold water and splashing it onto your bare shoulders. The paper towel is scratchy on your skin, but it does the job of drying you off. The T-shirt is roomy and soft, hanging loosely over your body.

...

You don’t know how long it’s been.

You’re numb. The itching all over your body is simply a faint tingle. The grumble of your stomach is a mechanical ritual, simply a reminder to find a Burger King or McDonald’s that night. Some nights you don’t even sleep, the heaviness of your eyelids becoming just another numb mechanic. You don’t even mind that much when your clothes get all sweaty anymore.

There are days where you forget why you’re here, why you keep running. Why are you trying so desperately to stay alive? What do you have to live for?

You bet that, if you just sat there, you wouldn’t even notice if you just lost consciousness. You probably wouldn’t notice if your breathing stopped.

Couldn’t be any worse than your state now, could it?

...

It’s the third week of August, you guess. That’s what it says at the top of the newspaper you found.

That isn’t what catches your attention, though. You’re more interested in the small group of photos in the bottom left corner. There are six total, and above them all are the words printed “Have you seen me?” In the bottom middle is a photo of you.

You don’t know how you spotted it from so far away. It’s small and muddied up by the cheap, black and white printing. But it’s you. Below your latest school photo, in even smaller print, are the words (Y/N) (L/N).

Your mom. She was probably looking for you. You always complained to yourself about living in such an empty home--but you had just made it worse for her. The image of her coming home from a long, grueling shift, only to sit on the couch and watch TV by herself makes your heart ache.

You catch your reflection in a blacked-out window. Choppy hair, hollowed eyes, and sunken cheeks. Your skin flakes with dryness. Your vision blurs and you don’t know why. However, the wet sensation on your cheeks tells you that you’re crying. 

You’re crying. You’re sad. You’re hungry. You’re hot. Your skin itches. You miss your mom. 

You sit on the floor and cry until the sun goes down. Until the moon rises. Until the sun comes up again.

Then your heart is hollow once more. The only difference now is that your eyes sting.

...

This was the hardest it had rained in months.

A hot, dry Summer was transitioning into wet Autumn.

You were mid-sleep when the downpour splashed you awake. You ducked under a metal awning for refuge, but the wind was making it rain sideways. This late at night, everywhere within reach was locked up. All you could do was crouch into the wall, trying to ignore the rain washing down your back. 

There had to be somewhere with walls and a roof where you could hide. Everywhere that came to mind was too much of a walk away. Suddenly, you remember the dumpster building behind the chain of restaurants across the street. It would smell terrible, but you would be dry, and your sense of smell has been practically burned off anyway.

Bracing yourself for a drenching, you peek out from the alley. It was just a brisk jog across the street, then you would be home free. Without a second thought, you left the alley, hauling ass into the road. You’re not sure, but you think it’s raining harder. As you approach the line of buildings, you can see the dumpster just behind them. Just a little more…

CRASH.

You’re on the ground. Water flows around you, thoroughly soaking your clothes. Stars fly around in your view. Your ears are ringing. 

You attempt to crane your neck to gain a visual on your surroundings--but the mind-numbing pain that ensues puts an end to your efforts. There’s a dull slam--a car door closing. Two doors. Footsteps. Your blurry vision is flooded with white light.

“Looks like a girl, sir.”

“I can see that.”

The voices are deep. Male voices. Something nudges your hip and you groan at the sharp pain. 

“Should we alert the authorities?”

More footsteps. The rainfall suddenly stops and your vision clears just enough for you to see a black umbrella. A face comes into view. Your eyelids begin to feel like lead, making it difficult to focus. A large, dry palm lightly taps your face. 

“Put her in the trunk.”

 Your eyelids fall shut.

...

"I'm so glad you're alright, honey."

"Where am I? W-who are you?"

"It's me, sweetheart. It's your father, you're at home. Darling, you were hurt very badly."

No….that’s not it. Something else--Something before that.

The surface beneath you is cool and smooth. However, a warmth shines over you that keeps you from getting cold. You’re dry, sleeping somewhere clean and warm. As you slowly awaken, you notice how energized you feel--well-rested, even. For the first time in a while, you’re content.

As you sigh and nestle into your arms, you’re struck with a sudden realization. You don’t remember when or where you fell asleep. Your eyes shoot open and for a moment, all you see is white. You rub your eyes in an attempt to clear your vision, only to see white again.

You sit up abruptly and, surprisingly enough, there’s no pain from it. No headaches, no strain in your muscles, no sting in your bones. Your breathing shallows as you take in the unfamiliarity of your surroundings. The walls around you are as white as the floor beneath you. The entire room was a blank slate--so clear and clean that, for a moment, you couldn’t quite determine its size. As you look further, you notice a long, rectangular window high on the wall. It’s right up against the ceiling, which is incredibly high. In fact, the whole room was very large, only a bit bigger than a school gymnasium.

“H-hello?” You call weakly. Your voice bounces off of the walls and echoes back at you. Suddenly, the lights shining in the room begin whirring. With a sharp click, they brighten, practically blinding you. You raise your forearm to your eyes, attempting to protect your vision. “Hey! Is anyone there?”

“So you’ve finally awakened.”

The voice is level--calculated. It carries little volume, but it surrounds you. You whirl around to find its source, but the room is empty. When your eyes trail back to the window, however, you can make out a faint outline of a person; a man. “Wh-who are you? Where the hell am I?” You try to put up a tough front, but your voice is weak and scratchy from lack of use. 

“Surely, you haven’t forgotten. I haven’t given you anything for that, yet.” The man subtly moves and the light catches him. The beams reflect in the glasses on his pale face. You recognize those glasses. The image of a bespecled man leaning over your incapacitated body flashes in your head. The car. Your hands rise to your own body, patting it down in search of injuries. There’s no pain, not even ridges of scarring. It's then that you realize that you're dressed in a white, paper smock.

“I’ve already taken care of your wounds. You’ve been unconscious for days now, so you’ve had plenty of time to heal.” Your head reels with mixed emotions. 

“Am I...in the hospital?”

“You are not...but I suppose you’d prefer not to be, wouldn’t you? Who knows who would find you then. Your mother….the police.” Your eyebrows knit in confusion. Although you can’t see all of him, you still turn to him in search of an understanding. “What are you….H-how do you--.”

“How do I know, you ask? A quick search through my resources. My facial recognition software found your identity in a matter of seconds, (Y/N) (L/N) . And the months-old DNA on your clothing, well, that was just as telling. I have to say, I don’t pay attention to petty crime cases--but a teenage girl being the culprit? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued.”

Your blood runs cold. He knew it was you? Was this the end? Was this man some sort of detective? Had you been captured in your sleep and locked up for questioning? “Oh, but don’t worry. I don’t intend on releasing you to the authorities--if you cooperate, that is.”

If he wasn’t the authorities….then who was he? Somehow, you’re only more unsettled. You cautiously pull yourself to your feet, backing up further into the large space. The more you look around, the more evident it becomes that there’s no means of escape. Even with so much room around you, you feel cornered. “You didn’t answer my question--who the fuck are you!?”

“Should you really be so demanding? I’d acknowledge the position you’re in...but there’s no need to worry, I don’t intend to hurt you. In fact, this is gonna help you as much as it helps me…”

The way he speaks does not sit well with you. At all. You keep backing up until your back finally meets the wall behind you. Spinning around, you bang your fists against the wall, dreading how sturdy it feels. Without realizing it, you’re yelling--crying out for somebody, anybody to help you. All the while, his voice echoes around you, droning in your ears.

‘...I’ll make you resilient, strong, fast, durable--better. In time, you won’t feel pain. You won’t feel hunger. And when you’re finally finished, they’ll see what I’m capable of. They’ll never underestimate me again.”

You bang harder and yell louder. Even as your fists ache and your voice goes scratchy. Please. Someone help.

“That being said…In the time you’ve rested, I’ve already introduced your cardiovascular system to the first trial of my work. Let’s not waste time...we’ll begin with the first test.”

There’s a loud grinding. You look around frantically, anxious to find the source of the noise. However, the room is still that unmoved, pristine white. Silence suspends in the air, the only source of movement coming from your own labored breaths. For a moment, you start to calm down, beginning to feel a sense of relief...

WHOOSH

Something swings from high above you. Looking up, you see an open trap door--and something falling from it. It moves so fast, all you can see is the dark, metallic silver of the object. And that its heavy. Very heavy.

“Do not push yourself, please act as authentically as you can--I’d like to see where I can make improvements.”

[spookysaladchaos]

Global top 13 companies accounted for 66% of Total Frozen Spring Roll market(qyresearch, 2021)

The table below details the Discrete Manufacturing ERP revenue and market share of major players, from 2016 to 2021. The data for 2021 is an estimate, based on the historical figures and the data we interviewed this year.

Major players in the market are identified through secondary research and their market revenues are determined through primary and secondary research. Secondary research includes the research of the annual financial reports of the top companies; while primary research includes extensive interviews of key opinion leaders and industry experts such as experienced front-line staffs, directors, CEOs and marketing executives. The percentage splits, market shares, growth rates and breakdowns of the product markets are determined through secondary sources and verified through the primary sources.

According to the new market research report “Global Discrete Manufacturing ERP Market Report 2023-2029”, published by QYResearch, the global Discrete Manufacturing ERP market size is projected to reach USD 9.78 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period.

Figure.   Global Frozen Spring Roll Market Size (US$ Mn), 2018-2029

Figure.   Global Frozen Spring Roll Top 13 Players Ranking and Market Share（Based on data of 2021, Continually updated）

The global key manufacturers of Discrete Manufacturing ERP include Visibility, Global Shop Solutions, SYSPRO, ECi Software Solutions, abas Software AG, IFS AB, QAD Inc, Infor, abas Software AG, ECi Software Solutions, etc. In 2021, the global top five players had a share approximately 66.0% in terms of revenue.

About QYResearch

QYResearch founded in California, USA in 2007.It is a leading global market research and consulting company. With over 16 years’ experience and professional research team in various cities over the world QY Research focuses on management consulting, database and seminar services, IPO consulting, industry chain research and customized research to help our clients in providing non-linear revenue model and make them successful. We are globally recognized for our expansive portfolio of services, good corporate citizenship, and our strong commitment to sustainability. Up to now, we have cooperated with more than 60,000 clients across five continents. Let’s work closely with you and build a bold and better future.

QYResearch is a world-renowned large-scale consulting company. The industry covers various high-tech industry chain market segments, spanning the semiconductor industry chain (semiconductor equipment and parts, semiconductor materials, ICs, Foundry, packaging and testing, discrete devices, sensors, optoelectronic devices), photovoltaic industry chain (equipment, cells, modules, auxiliary material brackets, inverters, power station terminals), new energy automobile industry chain (batteries and materials, auto parts, batteries, motors, electronic control, automotive semiconductors, etc.), communication industry chain (communication system equipment, terminal equipment, electronic components, RF front-end, optical modules, 4G/5G/6G, broadband, IoT, digital economy, AI), advanced materials industry Chain (metal materials, polymer materials, ceramic materials, nano materials, etc.), machinery manufacturing industry chain (CNC machine tools, construction machinery, electrical machinery, 3C automation, industrial robots, lasers, industrial control, drones), food, beverages and pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, agriculture, etc.

[ananya5400]

At a CAGR of 5.1%, the global frozen foods market is projected to have grown from USD 284.2 billion in 2023 to USD 363.7 billion by 2028.

[fishy-xp]

compounded disasters part 7.2

pete and macau and the gap in-between (a/n: sorry it's been so long, i've been hella busy and haven't had any creative inspiration for a while. also i didn't mean for this to become so long but guess it's a trilogy now lmao. i promise the third part will also be the final lol maybe, probably, don't quote me on that!)

macau became nomadic for the next few days. the school, the hospital and the markets, rinse and repeat. these were the only certainties in his life. he didn't know the particulars of what the shoot-out meant for their family hierarchy but he had gone back to the minor family compound to see it swarmed with major family bodyguards. it wasn't the not knowing that made him feel like he wanted to take a bullet to his head, it was the overwhelming feeling of loneliness. macau couldn't even step inside his own home, he simply turned and left.

the first new nights were the worse. he stayed at the hospital until one of the nurses had to gently coax him into leaving. he could fight if he wanted, to threaten her and everyone else to let him stay. it would work but he didn't. he didn't have that same viciousness his brother and father shared. at least, he didn't think he did.

he'd go back to the markets, to wander around aimlessly until he got bored. then he'd find a crate and sit. he sat until his body was numb and watched the rest of the night go by. when the markets began to thin out around 4am in the morning, he helped the store owners clean up before heading to school. he did this again and again, taking intermittent naps at school and then a longer one at the hospital, hoping that when he woke, so would vegas.

---

"i still can't believe that pete."

macau perks up, having fallen semi-unconscious whilst perched on his crate. macau never bothered to learn bodyguard's names, especially not major family ones but he knew the three that were sent to the minor family a few months back. and the name pete always left his brother's mouth with this smile of almost fondness, if macau could describe it that way.

he sees two major family bodyguards perusing the markets whilst conversing. the young boy turns his face away and pretends to be searching for something.

"same, to leave the major family and betray us like that? all for khun vegas? who would willingly side with a loser and kill one of us. he's lucky khun kinn doesn't want his head."

macau was confused. pete left the major family? for vegas?

pete visited the hospital everyday too. he stayed outside, only looking in through the small rectangle window on the door and checking in with the doctor on vegas' condition. at first macau needed to control every fibre of his being to not storm out and give the stupid bodyguard another piece of his mind. he thought he was there for surveillance, to report back if vegas woke up or to even kill him whilst macau wasn't watching. he didn't know, but either way, he didn't trust pete.

but then he began to notice a few things. pete was never in uniform, never wore that stuffy suit and crest, only shorts and long-sleeves. the way he looked at vegas too, macau couldn't exactly understand what it was, but it almost seemed hopeful. each time pete would first come with that look on his face only to be disappointed that vegas hadn't waken yet. food would also magically appear on the small coffee table every time macau woke from his nap, a hot meal way too good to be bought from the hospital cafeteria.

--

"you can come in you know."

pete stood frozen outside the hospital room as the door was abruptly swung open and macau's head stuck out to look directly at him. the young boy's face wrinkles as he gives pete the once over.

"you look like a stupid dog waiting outside like that." he wordlessly follows macau into the room, eyes tailing the younger theerapanyakul as he settles back into the couch chair and picks up the textbook he left on the arm of it. every fibre of his being drags his gaze to vegas. now, without the limited view of the glass panel of the room door, pete sees that near lifeless body that’s haunted him these past few days. the pallor of his skin a fading grey, darken circles around his sunken eyes and no colour to the lips pete knew the taste of all too well. no nightmare was worse than this reality.

it takes too much of pete's willpower and self-restraint to tear his eyes away from vegas. what can he say, someone (lying on death's door) taught him that he was a sucker for pain. but eventually, he's able to turn back to macau, who has become engrossed in his giant medical science textbook. the young boy scribbles away as he annotates the pages, concentration weaving through his brows.

"you haven't been back home," pete starts, throat dry and itching to sew itself shut like a good bodyguard who doesn't speak out of turn. he swallows his nerves back down and continues, "have you been somewhere safe?"

no answer.

"i'm sure your uncle and cousins are worried."

macau's face distorts in disgust and honestly, pete should have known better that would never work.

"and i don't think vegas would want anything to happen to you."

the pen in the young boy's hand stops writing. he exhales sharply and slams the pen into the book. he doesn't look at pete as he says, "i said you can come in, not that you can talk."

pete tightens his hands into fists and tries to breathe evenly. a thought drills into his head - he doesn't take orders anymore. he is a free man. he is- his minnd goes back to vegas. the only person who's ever seen him, who's allowed to see him. there's only one person pete exists to now.

"i don't work for your family anymore."

that does it. macau jerks his head up, his eyes a smouldering pit of danger as the blood burns through his veins. there's that anger pete knows all too well. in that split second, macau looked just like his brother.

"you never worked for my family." macau spits out, rage flicking like acid as it lands right before pete's feet.

the desire to argue dissipates. his confidence deflating in the blink of the eye as he relegates back to his observer role where all he did was smile his way out of any situation.

"you're right. i'm sorry." he apologises, weary and yet, firm. he was sorry about being wrong, but he was not sorry about everything.

macau replies, just as tired, "get out."

pete obeys. macau was too similar to his brother.

---

it was around 8pm when macau could see the nurses hovering around outside, ready to kick him out. tthe young boy sighs and packs up his things, tucking the textbook snug against his elbow. he walks out of the room and bows to the nurses before making his way to the exit. he's taken back by surprise when the hospital doors open and he's greeted by a gust of cold air. it's pouring. and macau didn't bring an umbrella.

there's another surprise waiting for him when he sees a black umbrella open up next to him. he turns to see pete.

"macau stay at mine for tonight."

for a second, confusion flashed across the young man's face before it settles into a deep look of disdain.

he scoffs, "you're really as stupid as you look."

"macau please-"

"why? why do you care? just leave me and my brother alone."

pete catches it. the the throughlines of every negative human emotion known to man comes naturally to the minor family. but one line was deeper than the others, redder too. and the theerapanyakuls sucked at subtlety.

he grabs onto macau's arm before the young boy can step into the rain. macau jerks at the sudden contact and that anger lights up in his eyes again. but pete knows better.

"macau, i would never take your brother away from you."

macau seizes in his hold as his mouth opens in shock. in a single second, pete has reached into the deepest parts of him and flayed him open for the world to see. his all laid bared in front of the man he least wanted to show even an inch of himself to. he rips his arm back, turning petulantly to face away from pete. he inhales shakily, his shoulders trembling.

"why?" he starts, quietly. too quiet.

macau had no memories of his mother. for as long as he had been alive, he's only had vegas. and when his older brother isn't there, macau feels the darkness call to him, like the only friend he's capable of keeping around. but even death wanted something from him. that cocktail of misery, pain and loneliness has proven to be lethal and every time macau feels himself blacking out, his brother is there to place the only string of light in this night sky that seemed to last forever.

macau was always scared vegas would leave one day. he'd always knew it was a possibility in the family business. but never did he think vegas might leave because there was someone else he could make room for in his heart. that could only mean that vegas would no longer hold macau there. and that single light would be taken away and given to someone else, plunging macau into that darkness he was so terrified of.

hopelessness floods his voice, "what's stopping you? what's stopping anyone? it's not like i can do anything."

"macau, vegas loves you more than anything-"

"more than you?"

pete stops. he wasn't the only one that could fish monsters out from the deep dark.

"y-you know?"

macau turns to him just before he can mask the fear in his eyes. he catches it immediately. hook, line and sinker.

"i know hia went to the safehouse. i know you were there with him." macau stops, his breathing now seething with anger. he clenches his hands into a fist. "i know you broke his heart."

of all people, pete never thought it would be macau. never thought it would be the young boy at the sidelines who would be the first to know about him, vegas and that fucking safehoue. it should have died with him all the way to his early grave, like that stupid hedgehog.

"i know even after you left him, he still wanted you. he still loved you, even after what you did to him."

pete's losing air, like he's back at the safehoue. like he's helpless, at the mercy of a man who has only ever wanted to hurt him and pete let them. every single one of them, pete let them hurt him again and again. and that searing pain that squeezes his heart like a vice taught him that there were things more painful than than black eyes, broken bones and cut skin.

macau had that look in his eyes. of pain, anger and hatred that had been suppressed until the capillaries bursted and he was blind to anything other than vengeance. that wild, crazy look in his eyes that screamed for blood. macau scoffs as he comes to a realisation and his gaze solidifies as he looks at pete like he's trash. the final, fatal strike of the belt.

"hah you're just like phaw."

and with that, macau runs off into the rain with pete's heart crushed between his hands.

[supriyab]

Frozen Foods Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth Drivers, and Forecast to 2028

The frozen foods market size is estimated at USD 284.2 billion in 2023; it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% to reach USD 363.7 billion by 2028. The changing consumer lifestyles and busier schedules have increased the demand for convenient meal options, and frozen foods provide a quick and easy solution. Advancements in freezing and packaging technologies have improved the quality and shelf life of frozen products, making them more appealing to consumers. Additionally, concerns about food waste and the desire for longer-lasting food items have contributed to the popularity of frozen foods. The expanding variety of healthier frozen options, such as fruits, vegetables, and organic products, aligns with the growing emphasis on health and wellness, further driving the growth of the frozen food market.

Frozen Foods Market Trends

Healthier Options: Consumers are increasingly seeking frozen foods that align with their health and wellness goals. This trend has led to the development of frozen meals and snacks that are lower in sodium, sugar, and fat, and higher in protein, fiber, and other nutrients.

Plant-Based Alternatives: With the rise of vegetarianism, veganism, and flexitarian diets, there's a growing demand for plant-based frozen foods. This includes items like veggie burgers, plant-based meat alternatives, and frozen meals made with tofu or tempeh.

Convenience and Time-Saving: Busy lifestyles and hectic schedules have boosted the demand for convenient meal solutions. Frozen foods offer the advantage of quick preparation, making them appealing to consumers seeking convenient meal options without compromising on taste or quality.

Premiumization: Consumers are willing to pay more for higher-quality frozen foods that offer gourmet ingredients, unique flavors, and artisanal craftsmanship. This trend is driving the growth of premium frozen meals, appetizers, and desserts.

Ethnic and International Flavors: There's a growing interest in diverse culinary experiences, leading to an increased demand for frozen foods featuring ethnic and international flavors. Products like Indian curries, Asian stir-fries, and Mediterranean-inspired dishes are gaining popularity in the frozen aisle.

Clean Label Products: Consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in their food and are seeking products with simpler, more natural ingredient lists. Clean label frozen foods, free from artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, are experiencing growth in demand.

Online Retail Channels: The rise of e-commerce and online grocery shopping has opened up new distribution channels for frozen food manufacturers. Brands are increasingly focusing on their online presence and partnering with e-commerce platforms to reach a wider audience of consumers.

Frozen Foods Market Drivers: Rapid Growth in the Packaged Food & Beverage Drives Growth in the Frozen Foods Market

The rapid growth in the packaged food and beverage industry is significantly fueling the expansion of the frozen foods market. This synergy can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the packaged food and beverage sector is experiencing increasing demand due to changing consumer lifestyles and preferences. Convenience, portability, and longer shelf life are all characteristics that appeal to today's busy consumers.

Frozen foods align seamlessly with these trends, providing convenient, ready-to-eat or easy-to-prepare meal options. They offer a practical solution for individuals and families seeking quick, hassle-free dining choices in the packaged food realm.

Furthermore, the packaged food industry's robust distribution networks and marketing strategies make it easier for frozen food products to reach a broader consumer base. This collaborative growth strengthens both sectors, as they cater to evolving consumer needs for convenience and variety in their food choices.

Based on type, the raw material segment is estimated to hold the largest market share during the forecast period of the frozen foods market.

Raw frozen food is poised to dominate the frozen food market due to its versatility and appeal to a wide range of consumers. This category encompasses an array of products, including fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meats, offering consumers the flexibility to create diverse and customized meals. Raw frozen foods retain their inherent nutritional value and flavor, often outperforming their cooked or processed counterparts. Furthermore, they cater to various dietary preferences, such as vegan, paleo, and gluten-free diets, making them inclusive and adaptable. In an era where health consciousness and convenience intersect, raw frozen foods align perfectly, allowing consumers to prepare fresh, wholesome meals with minimal effort. This appeal is driving their popularity, ensuring that raw frozen food remains the largest share of the frozen food market.

Request Sample Pages:  https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=130

Europe Holds the Largest Share of the Frozen Foods Market

Europe is a major hub for frozen vegetable consumption, driven by busy lifestyles and a growing demand for affordable, nutritious, and convenient food options. Rising incomes and changing dietary preferences are propelling this market, with consumers shifting towards plant-based diets. Key opportunities for vegetable suppliers are found in countries like Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands. Public awareness of the superior nutritional value of frozen vegetables over fresh and refrigerated ones is boosting demand, especially among younger generations.

According to the European Ministry of Foreign affairs, in 2021, Europe imported €3 billion worth of frozen vegetables, totalling 2.8 million tonnes, with 91% coming from within Europe and only 9% from developing nations. Europe's status as a major global frozen vegetable producer drives this predominantly internal trade. Germany, with a 20% market share, leads European imports, followed by France (18%) and Belgium (14%). These countries, particularly Germany and France, are crucial focus markets. Belgium, while a major producer and exporter, sources certain vegetable varieties from other nations. Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden also rank among the top European markets.

Top Companies in the Frozen Foods Market

The key players in this market include General Mills Inc. (US), Nestlé (Switzerland), Unilever (Netherlands), McCain Foods Limited (Canada), Conagra Brands, Inc. (US), Kellogg's Company (US), Grupo Bimbo (Mexico), and The Kraft Heinz Company (US).

[zvaigzdelasas]

The winter of 1990 marked a historic moment for Haiti, as Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president with an overwhelming majority in the nation’s first-ever democratic presidential election.

Aristide promised change and challenged the elites. However, the hope he and his government represented was cut short by a military coup, led by Raoul Cédras in 1991. The coup, which started after Haiti’s civilian and military elite rejected the new policies, forced Aristide into exile just seven months after the presidential elections.[...]

Clinton in 1994 decided that the time had come. During the President’s Radio Address on Sept. 17, 1994, he spoke of America’s interest in helping to “restore democratic government in Haiti.” Attempts to make change via diplomacy had failed. “The dictators rejected all of our efforts, and their reign of terror, a campaign of murder, rape, and mutilation, gets worse with every passing day,” he said. “Now we must act.”[...]

But the junta’s leaders didn’t believe the U.S. would actually invade, says Robert Fatton, a Haitian-born historian who is now a professor in political science at the University of Virginia. One reason for that belief, he says, was that at least one key member of the junta was on the CIA payroll in order to feed the CIA intelligence of the situation in Haiti. Emmanuel Constant was the leader of one of the “death squads” that went after Aristide’s supporters in Haiti during the military coup. Washington officials confirmed that he was on the American intelligence payroll after the coup ousted President Aristide, TIME reported in 1994.

“They believed that they were immune and that Clinton was playing politics, and that they could stay in power and eventually things would be resolved without the return of Aristide,” says Fatton. “After all, they were on the payroll of the CIA. How do you negotiate with people who are actually being paid by the people who want the change?”[...]

On Sept. 19, the U.S. military arrived in Haiti. The force numbered nearly 25,000 military personnel from all services.

The move worked, and the junta backed down. President Aristide was restored back to power by U.S. forces during what was called Operation Uphold Democracy.[...]

The intervention was [supposedly] intended to remove the military junta, restore President Aristide to power and ultimately transform Haiti into a democracy. While the U.S. was successful in the former two goals, experts say the rest is more complicated.[...]

Indeed, the U.S. led a new international intervention ten years later in 2004 when President Aristide’s government was again overthrown.[...]

In fact, Fatton argues that the 1994 operation was a key contributor to many of the problems that now endure in Haiti. American support for Aristide’s return was contingent on his sighing an agreement with the IMF and the World Bank, which bound him to their structural adjustment policies, which opened up Haiti’s market to foreign trade with the result that Haiti had to import most of their food. Haiti’s elite, despite having to face a U.S. embargo during the military junta rule and having their wealth frozen by the U.S., still had a lot of economic power after Aristide’s return. The reformist and radical programs he had planned fell apart.

[grace-lightwoodd]

Lay my Curses All to Rest: Chapter 2

read on ao3

—

Christopher Lightwood had never been to the Hell Ruelle, but he knew its location well, thanks to his sister’s status as a frequent visitor. Ordinarily, he would have gone with the rest of the Thieves to the Devil Tavern, but the mere thought of it twisted something in his stomach. The Devil was familiar, and Christopher had actually grown to enjoy its crowds. When it had inevitably become too much for him, he would be able to retreat back into his bubble of comfort, to the shoddy little room James rented out for them on the second floor.

The Hell Ruelle offered no such comfort. There were no Merry Thieves, no familiar faces to turn to and smile awkwardly at. There never would be again, so Christopher shook the thought from his head and pushed open the door to the place his sister had declared as her home away from home. It was something taken directly from a Baroque era painting, the way everyone in the room had frozen mid-motion, as if they had all looked into the eyes of Medusa and met the same stone-cold fate. Still, they looked as if they could spring back to life at any instant and resume just where they had left off, dancing and laughing and drinking, as if time had stopped altogether and wasn’t moving on without them. Time really was quite a cruel thing.

Christopher carefully made his way through the lifelessly still figures, making his way to the bar to find what he had come here for: sustenance. He knew he couldn’t— wouldn’t— rely on Grace’s blood to sustain him, so he had to find some other blood source to keep him (un)alive. Luckily, he quickly found a few wine bottles filled with blood— he knew its contents from the copper smell, the same one that had always made him sick but now appealed to him more than any food could. He set the mouth of the first bottle to his lips and tilted his head back, allowing its contents to flow freely down his throat. Its effect was instantaneous: Christopher felt more alert— more alive— than he thought he ever had before. The world seemed brighter, as if he had seen the world through a thick smog that had only just now been cleared. He guessed that the feeling was akin to the same thrill some reported upon using more conscience-altering substances, ones he had occasionally been offered during his trips to the Shadow Market. He had always politely declined, and throughout the years, they learned not to ask at all. 

Christopher estimated that he had about eight hours to kill before the sun set and he could return to Grace, so he took to wandering through the Hell Ruelle, weaving in and out of various rooms and trying not to knock over any of the Downworlder Statues. Eventually, he came across a room with a soft-looking sofa that seemingly called his name, beckoning him towards it like a siren calling to a sailor. He wasn’t sure if he even needed sleep at all anymore, after his transformation, but he tried anyway, kicking his legs up onto the plush upholstery and closing his eyes.

Sleep evaded him, but not because of a newfound inherent ability to do so. Christopher figured that he could sleep, and even might have needed to, given the heaviness of his eyelids, but the gears in his mind simply wouldn’t stop turning. He was well aware of the mysterious circumstances surrounding his sudden transformation. He pieced together the facts in his head as best he could:

First: He had died. Apparently.

Second: The dagger that killed him had been coated with some sort of poison. Christopher did not know the variety, and though this information had the potential to be useful to him, he knew of no way to acquire it.

Third: He woke up as a vampire, fangs and all, despite never having consumed any vampire blood and never having been buried. He had, of course, been bitten before, but it had all just been a big misunderstanding and the issue had been resolved several years prior.

Fourth: Because of his Shadowhunter pedigree, any vampire he happened to encounter would likely hate him. Though he was practically socially inept (“a little confused,” as his mother would explain to the other adults when he’d been a child), he was familiar with the Enclave’s strained relationship with Downworlders. And he had seen firsthand how Shadowhunters had treated his Aunt Tessa. And if someone like her could be hated so passionately for how she’d been born, he knew exactly how they’d think of him, a fallen Nephilim. Corrupted.

Fifth: He could never, ever, tell anyone, especially not if he wanted his friends and family to remember him fondly. Especially not if he wanted Shadowhunters to adopt the fire message system, which he did. Badly. He wouldn’t fuck this up for himself. He wouldn’t fuck this up for Grace.

Sixth: He had one friend left in this world, and her name was Grace Blackthorn.

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