After 133 years in the canned fruit and vegetable sector, Del Monte is finally shifting its direction in response to consumer demand and industry changes. The company’s CEO recently informed Food Dive that its concentration on canned goods has prevented it from realizing the full potential of its brands. Consequently, Del Monte has embarked on an ambitious agenda to innovate its product lines and introduce new versions of traditional favorites. The company has kicked off this initiative by broadening its offerings in the frozen and refrigerated sections with products like Veggiful pizza bites and refrigerated Fruit Crunch Parfaits.
Now, Del Monte is reimagining its center aisle products with its latest launch: boba fruit cups. These new offerings capitalize on several emerging trends in the industry. Designed for on-the-go consumption, they cater to consumers increasingly seeking portable snack options. Additionally, as demand for free-from products rises, Bubble Fruit is free from artificial colors and sweeteners, non-GMO, and packaged in non-BPA cups. These features may be particularly appealing to parents searching for healthy snack alternatives for their children, a target market the company highlights in its press release.
Timed with the back-to-school season, Del Monte is marketing these individual portions as ideal for lunches and snacks, perfect for families preparing for busy schedules filled with school and activities. As Del Monte moves away from canned products, the introduction of boba could be a promising step. With consumers increasingly avoiding the middle aisles of grocery stores for fresher options, the novelty of boba may draw them back in. The bubble tea market is projected to grow at an estimated CAGR of 7% from 2017 to 2023, according to Technavio. This growth can be attributed to the versatility of boba, which has evolved from traditional Taiwanese bubble tea of the 1980s to pop up in frozen yogurt, cocktails, and other treats.
Del Monte is the first to combine the popular popping trend with fruit cups, which may pique consumer interest. While these fruit cups are marketed to children, boba has also gained popularity among adults, and the sophisticated flavors could entice them as well. Moreover, this product offers a more accessible way for consumers to enjoy boba without the need to visit a specialty café that serves drinks, ice cream, or cocktails featuring the tapioca pearls. Interestingly, these boba fruit cups could even be enhanced with liquid calcium and magnesium, providing an additional nutritional benefit that may appeal to health-conscious consumers.