ABSTRACT

According to the International Jelly and Preserve Association, approximately 1 billion pounds of fruit spreads are produced annually in the United States. Per capita consumption is approximately 4.4 pounds per year.1 Annual retail sales for jams, jellies, fruit spreads, and preserves were approximately $632 million. Preserves that consist of jams, jellies, preserves, fruit spreads, and marmalades currently represent 34% total sales in the category. Jams make up 22% sales, with jelly close behind at 21%. Fruit spreads are 17% and marmalades trail with 6%. Sales of specialty sweet spreads, which include conserves, jams, and nut butters, have signicantly outpaced mainstream items.2 According to the Specialty Food Magazine’s 2011 State of the Specialty Food Industry Report,3 specialty conserves, jams, and spreads had a retail sale of $125 million in 2010, an increase of 3.9% from 2008, and the number of new sweet spreads introduced doubled from 2008. Specialty conserves, jams, and nut butters accounted for 12.2% of all food sales in the same food category.3