SUNNY weather sends customers looking for quick meal options and lighter dishes, according to frozen food company Birds Eye. 
And as well as providing the burgers for many a mammoth grilling session, Birds Eye has brought the flavours of the barbecue to those who can’t be bothered with smoke and charcoal.
Premium Smokey BBQ quarter pounders provide the char-grilled taste without the long wait for the coals to turn white.
The company claims that Kantar figures show Birds Eye red meat burgers growing by 28% last year. Some of that growth appears to have come from own-label competitors, said to have seen an 18.2% decrease in the last year.
Another Birds Eye barbecue-option is Fish Chargrills. Cheryl Calverley, general marketing manager, said: “We’re confident this will be a welcome addition to the category and a popular choice amongst consumers, providing a refreshing alternative to conventional BBQ meat options and set to be an increasingly popular product in the summer months.”
The product is pitched as a light and healthy option for summer dining – less than 3% fat, and available in three variants: Sun Blushed Tomato, Basil & Oregano; Juicy Lemon, Rosemary & Thyme; and Thai Coconut, Lemongrass & Chilli.
• Kerry Foods is adding a new Wall’s range of four traditional British sausages to its line-up this summer, backed by advertising and an in-store shopper marketing campaign.
The new varieties are in the premium sausages sub-category, which Nielsen Scantrack says makes up 45% of the market and is growing by 7.8%.
“Our research showed that the equity and heritage of the Wall’s brand, coupled with the growth in premium sausages, meant this was the ideal time to add a new premium range of sausages under the famous Wall’s banner,” said Michael Moore, Wall’s marketing manager at Kerry Foods.
The new Wall’s range includes Pork Premium Sausages (RRP £3.19 for six, £5 for 10); Cumberland Premium Sausages (RRP £3.19 for six); and Pork Premium Chipolata Sausages (RRP: £3.19 for 10).
