In a context marked by time constraints and growing concern for healthy eating, fresh-cut (IV gama) and ready-to-eat (V gama) products have become one of the most effective solutions. While bagged salads were once the gateway to this category, today vegetables, fruits, and potatoes are leading its growth.
The numbers speak for themselves. In 2024, retail sales of IV and V gama products increased by 5.7% in volume and 8% in value, reaching 853 million euros. Within this growth, vegetables stand out with an 8% rise in volume (53,963 t) and a 13% increase in value (€388 million), making them the most dynamic category today.
This surge is driven by a growing and increasingly sophisticated demand. Consumers value the convenience of products like stir-fry kits, purees, or cooking bases, which allow for quick and healthy home cooking. In this area, Unica Group has strengthened its positioning with its ‘The Chef in You’ line, which includes everything from sweet potato chips and wok kits to healthy snacks like carrot sticks, Sweet Palermo pepper strips, or sliced apple.
A good time for fruit
In 2024, the fresh-cut fruit segment grew by 22% in volume and 20% in value, driven by improvements in packaging and preservation processes that extend shelf life without compromising flavour or freshness. Companies like Vicente Peris have played a key role in this development. The Valencian firm has focused on both single-serve and family-size formats for fruits like pineapple, melon, and watermelon.
Meanwhile, Florette continues to expand its range of pre-cut fruits and vegetables and maintains a strong presence in both the retail and foodservice channels.
RELATED NEWS: Florette: fresh cut vegetables grow by 13%
Another fast-growing category is potatoes, both in IV and V gama. IV gama is widely adopted among many potato packers, but the V gama segment is led by the Basque firm Udapa.
Although bagged and bowl salads have traditionally been the flagship of IV gama, they are now showing signs of maturity in the market. Their purchases declined by 1.5% in volume, though they remain a staple in Spanish households, with 84% market penetration.
And as a novelty, Vegetales Línea Verde becomes a pioneer by introducing the most sophisticated technology into its processes: sensory neuroscience for product development.
