Pengenalan - Chilled food refers to food products stored at temperatures of minus 1°C to 10°C. It generally applies to foods where the texture and consistency of the food would not withstand the harsh conditions of being frozen and where quality needs to be maintained as close as possible to the fresh form. These products normally have a shelf life of about 2 weeks.
- Frozen food refers to foods stored at temperatures of minus 18°C and below, and which had been subjected to a quick-freezing process. It generally applies to foods that need to be kept at lower temperatures to prolong their shelf-life with minimal effect on their quality and freshness. The shelf-life of these products is about one year.
The total market size of chilled and frozen foods for Malaysia was estimated at RM2 billion (including exports) in 1999, registering a nine percent growth. It is estimated that there are 64 major manufacturers and 35 importers of chilled and frozen food in Malaysia. There is hardly any local player of substance in the chilled and frozen ready-to-serve meals category. Chilled and frozen food can be divided into a few categories such as ready-to-serve meals; snacks; food ingredients; and chilled and frozen meat, seafood and vegetables. The chilled and frozen snacks industry is currently dominated by only 6 companies, i.e., K.G. Pastry Sdn. Bhd., Kart Food Sdn. Bhd., Ben Fortune Sdn. Bhd., P.A. Food Sdn. Bhd., Anika Food Industries Sdn. Bhd., and Sydney Cake House Sdn. Bhd. There are about 7 food ingredient manufacturers. Only one of them, Sensori Food Industry has more established market in this category. The main players in the chilled and frozen food industry are the meat, seafood and vegetable categories. KFC Holding Bhd., Dinding Poultry Sdn. Bhd., Sinmah Holding, dan Leong Hup are a few of the major players. About 95% of ready-to-serve (RTS) meals are imported (RM9.03 million). The remaining 5% (RM0.48 million) of ready-to-serve meals are produced by local retailers or small manufacturers who pack the meals chilled, without branding such as chilled nasi lemak. Nowadays, chilled and frozen food is gaining more acceptances as an alternative to fresh food, especially among the higher income and educated group. With income level on the increase, electrical appliances are becoming more affordable. The rising level of education combined with higher household incomes is expanding the size of the middle to high-income group and, therefore, the demand for the products. Studies have shown that people with higher income and education level tend to consume more chilled and frozen food. There is a growing preference among consumers to spend less time cooking. The number of working women, single parent and dual income households are increasing and they are finding frozen “Home Meal Replacement” suitable for the obvious reasons of convenience and fast food preparation time. Research also showed that teenagers heavily influence frozen food purchases. The households with teenagers tend to consume more pre-cut/pre-cooked food. |
