Remember the days of sticking a fork into a potato a couple times, then popping it into the microwave for 10 minutes or so?
That’s ancient history … or, at least it’s heading in that direction.
Microwaveable packaging is quickly catching on, according to a recent market study by Burnsville, Minn.-based Allied Development Corp. When it comes to produce, spuds especially appear to be leading the way.
“We actually started microwaveable products about five years ago,” said Jack Gyben, vice president of sales for Progressive Produce, Los Angeles. “It’s been growing ever since.”
Progressive has been marketing its microwaveable packaged potatoes under the MicroBaker brand and has since expanded its product line to include sweet potatoes, organic potatoes and a 20-ounce extra-large potato.
The company also has a patent pending on an easy-open strip system which makes the packaging easy to peel off even when the product is hot.
“We’ve been selling all these products consistently and continue to grow the category,” Gyben said.
That seems to be the trend with all microwaveable packaged goods. According to the Allied Development study, which reviewed food from October to April, the U.S. microwaveable packaging market was estimated at $400 million in 2003 and is forecast to reach $1.7 billion by 2013, an annual growth rate of 16%. Current economic conditions have slowed organic growth, according to the study, but the expansion of applications and use of new technology continues unabated.
