Outdoor entertaining and relaxed meals are top of mind at this time of the year. From burgers to mushrooms and premium cuts of meat – FMCG found out what’s popular on the BBQ this summer.

Silver Fern Farms’ retail brand was launched in November 2009 to respond to the modern consumer’s need for natural, healthy and convenient meal options that can be prepared easily at home. “Consumer research identified that product innovation was required in the red meat cabinet to give consumers the confidence to cook it at home with success every time,” says Sharon Angus, group marketing manager.

Silver Fern Farms has a range of lamb and venison products available in the butchery section of supermarkets. Reared just as nature intended on the lush, green pastures of free-range farms throughout New Zealand, Silver Fern Farms lamb and venison promises a taste and tenderness like no other, says Angus.

Silver Fern Farms prides itself on bringing consumers restaurant quality cuts at home. They're not only naturally lean, but tender, succulent and delicious as well. Each cut is expertly packaged to lock in the flavour and retain freshness, with cooking tips and recipe ideas on the pack for a quick and easy meal every time and also recipes on the website for inspiration from around the world.

Silver Fern Farms has recently partnered with Annabel Langbein through her Fresh Everyday campaign. Research has shown that many New Zealand consumers want a helping hand when it comes to cooking lamb and venison.

“We have found that they want inspiration, easy recipes, short cooking times and tips on how to produce great meals. We are committed to helping people build their knowledge and appreciation of our product and Annabel will be the perfect guide,” says Angus. Watch out for two new products launching late February 2012; Lamb Medallions and Venison Roast.

Hellers

Among Heller’s recent launches are the following products:

Free Farmed Country Pork Sausages

Free Farmed Spicy Chorizo Sausages

Free Farmed Breakfast Pork

AngusPure and Garlic Sausages

AngusPure Burgers and Meatballs

Free Farmed Pork Burgers and Meatballs

Free Farmed Bacon range

Marketing coordinator Brydon Heller told FMCG: “The sausages have gone very well with Free Farmed Country Pork launching near the start of the year and fast becoming one of our top five selling fresh flavoured sausages. Free Farmed Bacon range has also launched very well with sales up over the previous packed and branded range.

“We are always working on new products to bring to the market,” adds Heller.

What about consumer trends in this category?

Heller says sausages still feature high with consumers looking for inspiration and quality ingredients in the products they are buying. Allergens are also an important issue and gluten-free products have a bigger offering now with momentum still climbing, says Heller, adding that consumers tend to purchase trusted brands.

Leader Products

Leader Products manufactures trusted frozen convenience foods for all leading supermarkets and butchery stores, says managing director Tony Peterson.

Leader manufactures a wide range of BBQ products, two of which were ranked number one and two for the Total Frozen Meat category – Auckland (Nielsen – 2010). The BBQ range includes several gluten-free chicken lines.

“The BBQ Beef Burger Patties (all beef) have continued to grow immensely, across the small, large and value tray variants in the butchery department and are one of Leaders’ top selling summer lines,” says Peterson. The range includes not only BBQ Beef Burger Patties, but also BBQ Chicken Burger Patties, Flamegrilled Chicken Patties, BBQ Pork Riblets available in small, large and value trays and Kumara Rosti’s – the retail pack is perfect for breakfast or a special BBQ brunch.

“Leader Products is well known for producing tasty, quality meal solutions. The Leader range is familiar to consumers who want quality, convenience and affordability,” says Peterson.

Leader Products launched the new “Sizzle Stix” in four fantastic flavours in October. They include Honey Soy Chicken, Teriyaki Beef, Kransky & Cheese and Moroccan Lamb. These four lines are all gluten free.

The Sizzle Stix sales continue to grow as customers discover the ease and convenience when cooking. It is recommended that the Sizzle Stix are cooked from frozen.

Look out for Leader BBQ Pork Riblets (large tray) in store during summer with increased pieces (from 6 to 7) at no extra cost, says Peterson.

Freedom Farms

Freedom Farms pork is farmed on SPCA-approved farms near the Southern Alps and is available nationwide in specialty stores and supermarkets.

Freedom Farms is promoting the joys of barbecuing pork cuts this summer on a real fire, as a follow on from the launch of Al Brown’s book Stoked. “Consumers can win a copy of the book in our summer BBQ promotion,” says Freedom Farms co-founder Gregor Fyfe.

For summer BBQs, Freedom Farms is focusing on three pork cuts: thick cut rump steaks, baby back ribs, and butterflied whole scotch.

“Rumps are a joy on the BBQ. Most people have never tried a pork rump steak, even most butchers. They should be cooked exactly the same as beef rumps, sprinkle with a few fennel seeds and some chilli flakes and grill hot,” says Fyfe.

Baby back ribs are the premium ribs, big meaty and juicy, just marinate and grill slowly. According to Fyfe, butterflied scotch is ‘the new butterflied leg of lamb’ – it’s amazingly good value compared to lamb and produces a perfect juicy cut every time. Cook it like lamb or beef, medium is best. It contains wonderful marbling so it stays moist after cooking, says Fyfe. “We are also promoting our new classic pork sausages – real sausages using premium NZ pork shoulder, farmed the ‘Freedom way’.”

Ingham

Ingham’s Butterfly Chicken and its range of Chicken Kebabs are ideally positioned to expand the fresh value-added category this summer, a company spokesperson told FMCG, adding: “Over the last quarter (to 09 October 2011), the category has grown by 5.8 percent versus the same period last year (Aztec).”

Perfect for summer, Ingham’s unique and versatile Butterfly Chicken range is suitable for both the oven and BBQ. These whole split chickens provide a refreshing approach to cooking succulent and tasty chicken. They are brilliant for shoppers looking for an impressive but easy way to add that alfresco flair to their dinning experience.

The new range of Butterfly Chicken comes in Tandoori, Garlic & Herb and Lime & Chilli, with their bright red packaging that will stand out in any chiller environment.

Another popular favourite on the BBQ are Ingham Chicken Kebabs, which are always a winner due to their price, ease of preparation and presentation.

Ingham Chicken Kebabs come in a wide selection of pre-marinated flavours, including Satay, Honey Soy, Tandoori or Moroccan.

The company spokesperson said: “Ingham 100% New Zealand quality chicken products are adding value to summer BBQs across the country. ‘Range’em, your customers will Love’em’.”

Brights Burgers

The Brights Frozen range was launched this September.

“Brights is all about making your Kiwi BBQ good times even better with the best quality products to share,” says marketing manager Craig Dixon.

Launched in the last two months, the Frozen range includes Beef Burgers, Chicken Burgers, Turkey Burgers, Steak and Onion Grillers and Meat Balls (all pre-cooked and coarse ground). These join the Brights Premium fresh sausage range in the butchery department.

“The objective when launching this range into grocery was to grow the category through launching unique products and also to invest with consumer communications, PR and trade activity to attract consumers to the grocery freezer,” explains Dixon.

“After five weeks of Aztec data (23/10/11), Brights sales have been incremental to category growth.”

Included in the range are unique products such as Quarter Pound Turkey and Chicken Burgers and also the Steak and Onion Grillers, which are ideal for a steak sandwich or roll.

“We are investing in the Brights Brand to build awareness and sales. TV is the main medium – we have also joined up as a sponsor of Movember, which has given the brand an effective way of communicating with our target consumers (the BBQ prodders) and also to gain credibility and build brand equity,” says Dixon.

“BBQs are becoming increasingly sophisticated – a chance to show off your culinary skills and enjoy good food with friends and family in typical Kiwi fashion. Brights helps make your BBQ better,” he says.

Meadow Mushrooms

Perfect with burgers, steaks or as a vegetarian option, Portabello Mushrooms (also known as ‘field’ or ‘flat’ mushrooms) are rich in flavour with a meaty texture and great on BBQs – no peeling or preparation is required.

Mushrooms are very high in nutritional value – they are a good source of B vitamins, potassium, selenium, copper, phosphorous and the antioxidant ergothioneine, as well as being low in calories, fat and sodium.

Meadow Mushrooms national sales manager Yvonne Clyne comments: “Meadows 250gm Breakfast Portabello Mushrooms continue to drive category growth with sales up 10% – MAT 6 November 2011 (source: Aztec NZ) and Meadows 250gm BBQ Portabello Mushrooms continue to drive category growth with sales up 11% – MAT 6 November 2011 (source: Aztec NZ).”

Meadows are soon to launch a new – limited edition pack – Portabello Plus.

Available from 1 December 2011 this new pack comes complete with a gourmet pesto flavour sachet included. It’s just brush and bake – adds flair and flavour to any meal.

Clyne adds: “Check out your sales and profits per square metre of produce shelf space – your mushroom category is truly valuable all year round.

“And don’t forget the best wine match with mushrooms is a good Pinot Noir!”

Tegel

Summer is here and there is nothing more quintessential about Kiwi summer than firing up the barbecue in the backyard with your family and friends. Tegel has got chicken on the barbecue completely covered this summer, says marketing manager Brenda Galbraith.

“Tegel Fresh Sausages are always a favourite and kids love Tegel Pre-Cooked Sausages. Tegel Ready to Grill range is a must on the barbecue accounting for a $5.8 million business and is the market leader in the category (Aztec TKA Dollar Sales MAT 23/10/11),” says Galbraith.

She adds: “Tegel Ready to Grill Kebabs have taken the hard work out and kept the flavour in with six delicious varieties to choose from. While the chicken sizzles on the barbecue bring out some Tegel Ready to Grill Tenders as appetizers. These succulent chicken tenderloins are so quick and easy and come in two great flavours.”

New packaging for Rangitikei

Corn-fed, free-range Rangitikei chicken now has bold new packaging featuring striking yellow and orange stripes and a refreshed logo. Rangitikei chicken offers fresh from the farm, premium quality meat which is juicy and tender with a distinctively delicious taste. That unique flavour results from the chickens being fed a diet consisting primarily of corn.

The natural carotenes in the corn give Rangitikei chickens their golden skin while the meat has a richer, tastier, buttery flavour. Raised free-range in the North Island, Rangitikei chickens have the freedom to roam and forage outside.

Rangitikei chickens are available as whole birds, skin-on and skinless breast fillets, skinless thigh fillets and drumsticks.

Angus Meats

Angus Meats’ co-owner Jonathan Connolly says the company’s reputation for producing top quality beef and smallgoods – well known by its many local customers – has been vindicated by the company's successes in recent industry awards. The Christchurch company received one gold and three silver awards at last year's Great New Zealand Sausage Competition, the first time the company had entered, and has just been awarded two gold awards in the 2011 competition. But the accolades didn't end there.

This year Angus Meats also won the Best of Brand – wholesale and foodservice award at Beef and Lamb New Zealand's Steak of Origin Competition and a distinguished silver medal for its bacon in the 100% New Zealand Bacon Competition.

The company processes only New Zealand grown export standard beef, lamb and pork. All stock is naturally bred, reared and fed on open pasture. Angus Meats does not process cage reared pigs.

“Angus Meats has been a trusted supplier to institutions including hospitals, rest homes and schools, as well as cafes and restaurants,” says Connolly.

Angus Meats has just started processing meat for the Four Squares in the South Island under a new skin packaging method, giving the product a better shelf life and making it more consumer friendly.

Angus Meats is currently working on new products, which are a first for the meat industry in New Zealand. These products will be available in Foodstuffs stores in the near future, says Connolly.

BBQ Marinades & Sauces

Heinz Watties’ summer BBQ essentials include a range of dressings (Eta; Eta Gourmet; Heinz; Heinz Seriously Good; Weight Watchers) and table sauces (Wattie’s; Wattie’s Bit on the Side; Heinz; HP; Lea & Perrins; Sinsin).

Among recent new product launches are Eta Caramelised Onion Dressing 250ml and Eta Greek-style Feta with Oregano Dressing 250ml; Heinz Seriously Good Aioli 295ml (available in an ‘Upside Down Squeezy’ bottle) and Heinz Seriously Good Tartare 295ml (available in an ‘Upside Down Squeezy’ bottle).

Melanie Taylor, senior product manager dressings & table sauces (Heinz Wattie’s), told FMCG: “These new dressings have been performing well since launch August/September 2011. As the dressings market is so flavour-driven, it is important that new variants are launched on a regular basis to keep consumers engaged with the category. Eta strives to keep abreast of international and New Zealand flavour trends.

“The new Heinz Seriously Good Aioli and Tartare have been a welcome addition to the successful Mayonnaise and Pasta Sauce ranges, taste seriously good and are set to contribute to market growth. Tomato Sauce as a Kiwi staple continues to dominate the Table Sauces market.”

She adds: “Heinz Wattie’s leads the Dressings category (Nielsen, Total Dressings Val & Vol MAT to 9th October 2011).”

Sinsin Asian Sauces were launched late October 2011 and have been well received by the trade. Recent launches in the Sinsin range include:

Sinsin Light Soya Sauce 635ml

Sinsin Dark Soya Sauce 635ml

Sinsin Oyster Sauce 505g

Sinsin Garlic Chilli Sauce 330g

Sinsin Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce 350g.

Oriental Merchant

Chris Hutton, Oriental Merchant NZ manager, says: “No BBQ is complete without the famous Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce. Recently the popular Mae Ploy Sweet Thai Chilli Sauce 730ml has had a radical pack change from the traditional red colour label (like many other brands) to blue, which clearly stands out on shelf.”

The launch coincides with new barcodes and is just in time for the peak summer season. In due course the 280ml bottle will change as well.

Hutton says: “We have already received favourable reaction from loyal users although at first they asked: Why change a good thing! But now they can easily see it on shelf from a distance.”

Mae Ploy still offers great value for money with a traditional chilli hit and a consistency that ensures it adheres to BBQ sausages.

MAGGI Marinades

The MAGGI team has just launched a new marinade range in time for summer.

The new MAGGI Ten Minute Marinade range delivers fast flavoursome meals any night of the week and only requires minimal time to marinate prior to cooking.

Providing a quick and easy meal for the family, MAGGI Ten Minute Marinades are available in popular flavours including Honey Soy, Teriyaki, Satay, BBQ and Portuguese.

“Just under half of all home cooked meals have no flavour added to them.* This is where MAGGI Ten Minute Marinades add real value and provide great flavour to home cooked meals,” says Richard Brown, Nestlé category manager – Foods. “MAGGI Ten Minute Marinades are easy to use, save a lot of preparation time, produce reliable results and really make cooking easy.”

What’s more, the entire range has the benefit of no added MSG, no artificial colours and no artificial preservatives.

MAGGI Ten Minute Marinades come in a single use pouch which means that there is no mess, no fuss and minimal waste.

“A convenient one-use-pouch meets a gap in the market, ensuring there is no left-over wastage,” adds Brown.

Supported by an exciting marketing programme, MAGGI Ten Minute Marinades will feature on TV, especially over the summer period when consumers most use marinades.

“With the likelihood of an extended hot summer on its way, MAGGI Ten Minute Marinades will be a perfect accompaniment for the BBQ season as they add great flavour to chicken, lamb, beef or pork dishes,” adds Brown.

MAGGI Ten Minute Marinades are available at most supermarkets.

*Source – NZ Meal Health Diary – ipsos 2009.