Enlarged US plant to feed Down Under demand

Food Week - Australia

05 August, 2008

Hormel Foods Corporation is to invest millions in a new US production facility that will enhance the supply of products to its Australian subsidiary.

The development follows the the successful launch here of shelf-stable Hormel Compleats microwave meal range

Hormel Foods Australia manager Scott Martin said the development of the new facility in America was in response to the growing consumer trend and demand for shelf stable convenient meals and highlighted the company's commitment to this market segment.

"The launch of Hormel Compleats in Australia has been a resounding success proving consumers are ready to try new concepts and that the shelf stable convenience meals category has immense potential."

Martin said the Australian market benefited from the millions of dollars invested in product development and testing over the years by its parent company.

A report by Global Industry Analysts Inc entitled Microwaveable Foods says the increased demand for convenience foods and predicting the Asia-Pacific market for microwavable meals would exceed $9 billion by 2010.

foodweek.com.au