UK Tortilla Market Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The United Kingdom’s tortilla market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 5.22% from US$361.340 million in 2021 to US$515.886 million by 2028.

The United Kingdom’s tortilla market is anticipated to grow at a steady pace throughout the forecast period. The market is expected to surge in the country, due to the increasing popularity of Mexican foods and growing preferences for convenience foods and snacks. The country’s increasing demand for ready-to-go food and willingness to find an alternative to traditional snacks, such as sandwiches, burgers, and others, are expected to have a major impact on the overall market growth.

The increasing demographic rate is also expected to widen the food preferences among consumers. The rising impact of social media on a person’s food preferences is also anticipated to have a positive effect on the market. For instance, in 2020, the #tortilla trend on Tik Tok and Instagram received millions of views from people in the country. Major companies have been making significant developments in the market over the past few years.

Rising preferences for ready-to-go food.

Despite the increasing obesity rate, across the nation, the demand for ready-to-eat and convenient food snacks is expected to surge at an exponential rate, during the forecast period. Major companies in the country had been introducing a novel and wider range of ready-to-eat snacks and other related food products, in the past few years. Furthermore, according to research by some of the reputed global nutrition experts, a significant number of families in the United Kingdom had been consuming “ultra-processed” foods.

The growing popularity of tortilla chips

Tortilla chips are a Mexican cuisine flatbread, prepared using corn & wheat. These chips are known for the health benefits associated with them and the added advantage of unmatched taste. Tortilla chips are usually baked which enhances the health properties associated with them. The key drivers behind the rapidly increasing popularity of tortilla chips in the domestic market are the health benefits associated with it over other fried potato chips, and secondly, the introduction of new flavours of tortilla chips such as jalapeno, cheese, salted, tomato, and others. The health consciousness of the population of the UK has been on the rise, especially since 2020.

Increasing expenditure on food items acting as a growth driver

According to the UK government, the expenditure on food, drink, and catering rose from 214 billion pounds in 2020, to 240 billion pounds in 2021. The increasing expenditure of people on food items is giving an edge to the nation’s tortilla market. Additionally, as per the HealthFocus Trend Report, in the UK, the population aged between 25 to 34 years old appeared to be the most health conscious.

The increasing health consciousness and awareness amongst UK citizens, especially the millennials are projected to result in increasing the demand for tortilla chips in the country during the forecast period as the consumption of a packet of tortilla chips provides nutrients such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc, which have been linked to improving the cardiovascular health of the people.

Corn tortillas as a representation of ethnic and international cuisine

Corn tortillas are a type of soft, thin unleavened flatbread that is made from hominy (maize). Corn as a source in tortillas is considered to healthier source than wheat tortillas as they have fewer carbs, lower fat content, and much more fibre. Moreover, corn-based tortillas provide a higher quantity of vitamins than wheat tortillas as they are regarded as whole-grain food components. Moreover, it is also safe for people with celiac disease or for those who are lactose intolerant. Corn is predominantly used in the country to produce corn tortilla chips and warps. The increasing consumer interest in ethnic and international cuisines has emerged as a significant growth factor for the corn-based tortilla market in the United Kingdom.

The presence of key players is driving market growth.

Key players in the United Kingdom's corn-based tortilla market include Old El Paso, Mission Foods, Cool Chile Co, Santa Maria, and Mexgrocer. These companies have established a strong presence and contribute to the market's growth by meeting the rising demand for high-quality corn tortilla products. Old El Paso's readily available tortillas are popular for traditional Mexican dishes, while Mission Foods offers a diverse range of corn tortilla products. Cool Chile Co focuses on authentic ingredients, Santa Maria provides versatile offerings, and Mexgrocer offers a wide selection through online retail.

Furthermore, the increasing preference for plant-based diets among consumers, driven by health, environmental, and ethical considerations, has led to rising demand for corn tortillas as a vegan and vegetarian-friendly alternative. As corn tortillas are made primarily from corn, a plant-based ingredient, they offer a suitable option for individuals seeking meat-free alternatives while still enjoying the texture, taste, and versatility of tortilla-based dishes.

Key Developments

• In September 2021, in partnership with international food travel specialists SSP Group plc, Tortilla, the largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant operator in the UK, announced that it would open new sites, at Leeds Skelton Lake Facilities and Gatwick Airport.
• In February 2022, Chartwells Universities, a unit of Compass Group UK & Ireland, announced a collaboration with Tortilla Mexican Grill plc. As part of the strategic partnership, Chartwells agreed to open at least 14 Tortilla restaurants under a franchising arrangement across their portfolio of universities over the next five years.
• HIPPEAS, in May 2021launched UK’s first Chickpea tortilla chips in the country. Furthermore, tortilla chips are used as an important ingredient in many Mexican dishes such as baked nachos, dips, salads, tacos, etc. which will further proliferate the demand for tortilla chips in the market over the forecast period.

Segmentation:

By Product Type

• Tostadas
• Taco Shells
• Corn Tortilla
• Flour Tortilla
• Tortilla Chips

By Source Type

• Corn
• Wheat

By Processing Type

• Fresh
• Frozen

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline
• Restaurants
• Supermarts
• Others