New Zealand's booming food services industry will continue to grow at 5 per cent a year over the next two years, according to a new study.
But the research, by Sydney-based researcher BIS Shrapnel, says operators in the $4 billion-a-year dining and catering trade need to movewith fast-changing consumer demands in what is a fragmented market.
BIS Shrapnel found New Zealanders are eating less red meat, less "fast food" burgers and fish and chips but more pies, "ethnic" food and white meat.
We are also eating out more often for breakfast.
The study, New Zealand Foodservice Market 2002-2004, says the country has more than 14,000 food service outlets, and by 2004 New Zealanders will eat on average 194 meals a year away from home, up from 182 meals this year.
The study's author, senior economist Gary Long, said a growing "cafe mentality" among New Zealand diners particularly evident in Wellington was one of the trends identified.
An example of growth in this market is Starbucks, which opened its first New Zealand outlet four years ago. There are now more than 30 stores in the chain and total annual sales have grown to more than $18 million.
In the restaurant market, Indian restaurants are the fastest-growing segment.
The BIS Shrapnel study found hostels were a small but steadily growing segment of the market. It identified 314 hostel outlets serving four million meals a year a market driven by the recent boom in backpacker tourism.
