CATEGORY INSIGHTS: BISCUITS & CRACKERS

Biscuits & crackers

What’s trending in the biscuits and crackers aisles in our supermarkets?

We talked to local suppliers to find out what’s new.

Biscuits and crackers producer The Arnott’s Group (TAG) has resumed manufacturing in New Zealand, bringing a welcome boost to the local economy and exciting additions to its iconic snacking range. TAG’s new multi-million-dollar, 4000sqm manufacturing facility in Avondale, Auckland, has been designed as an innovation hub for Arnott’s sweet and savoury biscuits across the ANZ region and to accommodate further growth and expansion of the 180 degrees cracker brand, acquired by the business in May 2021. Arnott’s Group CEO, George Zoghbi said the new facility signals TAG’s commitment to ongoing investment in New Zealand, enhancing localised supply chains and strengthening manufacturing, technology, capability and skills.

“The Avondale facility has been designed to unlock world-class innovation and flexibility for the broader Arnott’s network and will allow us to increase our locally made Arnott’s range,” Zoghbi said.

“The integration of 180 degrees in 2021 and the subsequent construction of Avondale, have meant greater speed and agility within the New Zealand arm of our 157-year-old business, that will allow us to unlock new products and reach new consumers.”

Mike Cullerne, TAG’s Country Director NZ, said: “Our fast and flexible facility in Avondale will support further expansion of the premium 180 degrees brand both domestically and in Australia and allow us to develop new Arnott’s biscuits for New Zealand customers to enjoy. Last year alone, New Zealanders consumed over 30 million 180 degrees crackers – an astounding level of support for this locally made brand.”

The inaugural Arnott’s products baked at the Avondale facility are Arnott’s Shortbread Bites, a delicious, new range of premium biscuits made with fruit from Barkers of Geraldine. The melt-in-your-mouth shortbread range (on shelf July 2023) are lovingly batch baked, with pure NZ butter and quintessentially NZ flavours. There are three varieties:

• Black Doris Plum made with Black Doris plum puree plus decadent dark chocolate chips.

• Feijoa made with sweet feijoa puree plus poppy seeds.

• Mixed Berries made with boysenberry & blackcurrant puree plus decadent white chocolate chips.

Keeping it real with Cookie Time!

From day one, homestyle taste and generous chunks of real chocolate have formed the heart of the Cookie Time offer. Now in its 41st year of business, this iconic family owned company is celebrating with new innovations and accolades, all reflecting its commitment to baking with a passion.

The Apple Crumble Custard Cookie is a new twist on a classic Kiwi dessert. With apple pieces, crumble, chocolate chunks and a scrumptious custard flavoured top. Made with real chocolate and real ingredients, batch-baked in traditional rack ovens.

The Apple Crumble Custard Cookie is a new twist on a classic Kiwi dessert.

The team explains: “There’s also a new 7-pack edition of our famous Chocolate Fix. With 40% dark chocolate, it’s no wonder this is the cookie that thinks it’s a chocolate bar. We’ve also broken into a new treat category with ‘cookies coolest partner’, aka two frozen cookie sandwich SKUs which have become instant best-sellers.

“We’re thrilled to be New Zealand’s Most Trusted Cookies brand for the third year running. And to take a giant leap up the overall Most Trusted Brands rankings – to #10, from #20 last year.”

Cookie Time is proud to be New Zealand made, owned and loved. In the early days, Cookie Time cookies were produced with true Kiwi ingenuity, with chocolate cut into chunky pieces on a bread slicer and cookie dough measured out with ice cream scoops. Technology may have changed but Cookie Time remains dedicated to baking the best in homestyle comfort.

For more information please contact Anthony Naylor, Cookie Time Limited Channel Manager Grocery, 03 349 6161.

The FMCG Business team endeavours to produce a monthly snapshot of category news and highlights, based on information from participating clients, plus a table of the freshest data available at time of print. If you wish to contribute news for upcoming category reports, please contact trubanowski@fmcgbusiness.co.nz