It’s easy to pop a frozen pizza into the oven for a quick dinner, and consumers know it—the frozen pizza category is on the rise, no pun intended, from 2022.

The cookie sector overall did well over the past year, which is unsurprising. Consumers love cookies, and manufacturers are continuing to surprise and innovate with new flavors, gluten-free options, and more.

Sure, times have been rough in the past several years. However, despite that fact—or perhaps, thanks to consumers looking to relieve stress through sweet treats, because of it—numbers in various categories of bakery desserts have largely given producers reasons to celebrate.

Nothing says “reward” quite like a sweet baked good. After several years of overcoming near-herculean challenges—plague, war, and, if not outright famine, at least persistent supply shortages—it’s only fair that the sweet-goods sector received a reward of its own this past year: strong sales.

Tortillas have become a versatile carrier for many meals. While typically associated with Mexican foods, tortillas can be used across a broad range of foods and cuisines. 

As family and friends more frequently gather in person for parties, dinners, and other social settings, it follows that sales of buns and rolls might increase, because such baked items often are invited to the table. 

The breakfast category, including French toast, pancakes, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, and more, overall experienced growth from the past year, with some interesting new innovations released.

As recovery from the pandemic continues, U.S. consumers are slowly making their way back to the real world—which includes dining out at restaurants with friends and family and grabbing lunch at fast-food and quick-serve eateries near the office.

Americans of a certain age likely associate bakery snacks with lunchboxes, unwrapped and enjoyed at school, near the tail end of their midday meal. 

Candy Industry Senior Editor Liz Parker attended the Retail Confectioners International conference last Wednesday through Thursday in Milwaukee, WI.