Manufacturers are hoping bagged snacks can be given a healthier image by producing crisps made from a range of alternatives to the humble potato including bread, cassava root and even fruit.
Warburtons made its move into the bagged snacks arena in March this year, with bread and pitta snacks, but has competition in the shape of a brand from the US where bread-based snacks are already popular. Americatessen, importer of US brands to the UK, took on US pitta and bagel snack brand New York Style last month and has received orders from independents.
"It's early days in the UK, but the demand is definitely there for this type of healthy snack," says MD Damian Curzon-Price. "Bagel chips have been around for 30 years in the US, and pitta chips is a spin-off from that."
Cassava root is also increasingly popping up in crisp form. New Zealand company Unique Food Group launched Joseph Banks Cassava Chips in the UK in November 2008. Then, in early 2009, Tayto launched Velvet Crunch. The puffed cassava crisps have 70% less fat than standard crisps and only 83 calories per bag. Sales have hit £1.9m [IRI 52w/e 17 April 2010].
But will these potato alternatives ever be anything but niche? Scottish-based Applesnapz, which produces Snapz apple, parsnip, carrot and beetroot-based crisps, sells to health food stores, schools and smaller retail chains.
"The multiples don't see fruit crisps as mainstream yet," says MD Bahram Ajodani. "With more consumers buying from our website, we are hopeful we'll achieve listings in supermarkets soon."
Meanwhile, Perry Court Farm is hoping to gain distribution in larger retailers for its apple, cherry and pear crisps.
Focus On Crisps, Nuts & Snacks
Warburtons made its move into the bagged snacks arena in March this year, with bread and pitta snacks, but has competition in the shape of a brand from the US where bread-based snacks are already popular. Americatessen, importer of US brands to the UK, took on US pitta and bagel snack brand New York Style last month and has received orders from independents.
"It's early days in the UK, but the demand is definitely there for this type of healthy snack," says MD Damian Curzon-Price. "Bagel chips have been around for 30 years in the US, and pitta chips is a spin-off from that."
Cassava root is also increasingly popping up in crisp form. New Zealand company Unique Food Group launched Joseph Banks Cassava Chips in the UK in November 2008. Then, in early 2009, Tayto launched Velvet Crunch. The puffed cassava crisps have 70% less fat than standard crisps and only 83 calories per bag. Sales have hit £1.9m [IRI 52w/e 17 April 2010].
But will these potato alternatives ever be anything but niche? Scottish-based Applesnapz, which produces Snapz apple, parsnip, carrot and beetroot-based crisps, sells to health food stores, schools and smaller retail chains.
"The multiples don't see fruit crisps as mainstream yet," says MD Bahram Ajodani. "With more consumers buying from our website, we are hopeful we'll achieve listings in supermarkets soon."
Meanwhile, Perry Court Farm is hoping to gain distribution in larger retailers for its apple, cherry and pear crisps.
Focus On Crisps, Nuts & Snacks
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