Sichuan pepper condiments play new tricks

Zanthoxylum bungeanum is the first of the "three fragrances" of traditional spices in China.

Carrying the "mountain" on your back

China is the largest producer of Chinese prickly ash.

There are three main types of Sichuan pepper condiments on the market, one is dry seasoning, that is, dried peppercorns; the other is powder, such as pepper powder; the third is pepper oil, including rattan pepper oil, sesame oil,

Industry insiders pointed out that the proportion of dried prickly ash in the form of rough processed agricultural and sideline products is too high, resulting in a low gross profit margin and insufficient profit margins for prickly ash condiments, which cannot support the sustainable development of the industry

The essence of dried prickly ash is still agricultural products.

Like most condiments, the main consumption scenarios of Sichuan pepper condiments are catering, industrial and household consumption

Pepper oil "unique"

Sichuan pepper oil has become the fastest growing product in Sichuan pepper condiments in recent years

Specific to market segments, pepper oil mainly includes red pepper oil, green pepper oil, rattan pepper oil and other flavors

From the perspective of consumer demand and market growth trends, some people in the industry judge that in the future, the track of pepper oil is expected to produce companies with sales of more than 1 billion yuan and market value of more than 10 billion yuan, and these giant companies are likely to be the first to be born in This segment of vine pepper oil

In recent years, the market scale of rattan pepper oil has continued to expand, maintaining a compound growth rate of about 25%.

The new pattern "has exposed the sharp corners"

Although the pepper oil market is growing rapidly, the development of an industry depends not only on the depth of the industry, but also on the width of the track

From 2015 to 2020, the market size of hot pot base material will increase from 12.

　　In the Chinese food market, Sichuan cuisine has become one of the largest and most mature cuisines with a market share of 23.

　　Affected by the epidemic, more and more young consumers have fallen in love with cooking at home, "I especially like to eat boiled pork slices, but I couldn't go out due to the epidemic, so I bought the boiled pork slices seasoning, but I didn't expect it to taste good

　　On the online platform, the sales of compound condiments are very hot

　　According to industry insiders, hot pot bases and Sichuan cuisine compound seasonings are mainly used in catering and households.

　　In terms of inspiration, companies can learn from FMCG companies other than condiments and their understanding of the prickly ash category
.
For example, in the promotion of rattan pepper flavor, instant noodles, snacks, and braised products companies are significantly better than condiment companies in their research and judgment on flavor
.
New tea, coffee, western fast food and other catering categories have also successively developed corresponding pepper products to try to present different taste experiences
.
In August last year, HEYTEA, a new tea drink brand, launched the city-limited drink Sichuan Spicy Immortal Dew, combining raw materials such as Mengding yellow buds, citrus juice, coconut water, Chinese prickly ash and chili peppers, bringing consumers a rich taste experience
.

　　At present, there are also some problems in the development of the pepper condiment industry, such as insufficient varieties of advantageous varieties, insufficient extension of the processing industry chain, and weak scientific and technological support capabilities
.
For the entire industry, whether it is dried Chinese prickly ash, prickly ash powder, prickly ash oil, hot pot base, Sichuan cuisine compound seasoning, how to break the homogeneity and cultivate some new categories with wide applicability is also a major enterprise to think about problem
.
However, industry insiders believe that with the advancement of science and technology and the inclination of policies, the vigorous development of the food industry and catering chains, and the continuous improvement of production technology and processing equipment, the Sichuan pepper condiments will be more abundant, comprehensive, industrialized and branded.
It will also be significantly improved, and the pepper condiment will have a rapid and sustainable development in the future
.

　　(Comprehensive arrangement by Gao Jiaodi)

"China Food News" (April 14, 2022 Edition 04)

　　(Editor-in-charge: Gao Jiaodi)