Biscuit World Spring 2016 | Page 23

Trends Another important actor in the sector is the East India Company, which has, among its sweet and savory products, a range of cheese-filled biscuits in flavors from Cheddar cheese to Roquefort. The company has not forgotten to include traditional tastes, with its assortment of Indian spicefilled biscuits. Adapted from a 19th century French recipe, the delicate and flaky shell of these biscuits gives way to a soft, cheesy center infused with a variety of Indian spices. Of course, France also has a place in the top 10, thanks to Filet Bleu Biscuits. “Fondé en 1920”, the company promotes its products - biscuits filled with hazelnut and chocolate or cocoa fondant - as the result of the latest technological developments and continuous research into innovative products. A COCKTAIL-INSPIRED RANGE For the next important producer, we have to move to Australia. Arnott's Biscuits Limited celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2015 and sells over 45 million packs of its iconic brand Tim Tam every year, according to the company’s own figures. With its combination of biscuit, cream and chocolate, Arnott’s Tim Tam has celebrated its 50th anniversary in February by presenting a new cocktail-inspired range: Virgin Espresso Martini, Virgin Pina Colada, Virgin Strawberry Champagne and Virgin Chocolicious Velvet Mudslide. The next big producer is Prestige 96 Ltd, a company founded in 1996 in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. The company portfolio consists of a wide range of biscuits, wafers and sponge cakes produced under the Hyper, Spoko, Troya, Naya, Trayana, Roden Kray, Mirage, BISCUIT WORLD • Spring 2016 Prestige, Nasladki and Prestige Muesli brands. Singoalla is a Scandinavian brand of shortbread biscuit with raspberry, citrus, licorice or blueberry fillings, as well as vanilla cream filling. Göteborgs Kex, which owns the Singoalla brand, is located in Kungälv, 20 km north of Gothenburg, and employs approximately 500 people. The next position in the top 10 list of filled biscuit producers are Roma Food Products and GEID. Roma Food Products is a company based in Carrum Downs in the Australian state of Victoria. Its main business area is food, including gluten-free products. The company, which was originally established in 1953, is currently the manufacturer of quality, alternative grain foods under the Orgran and Buontempo brands. It may be surprising to learn that Bulgaria is represented for a second time in the top 10 list of producers, thanks to GEID. The company started in 1995 in a village near Pazardzhik. Its Leader Brand offers a wide range of biscuits filled with chocolate and various fruits. Meanwhile, Violanta’s history started with a neighborhood bakery in the city of Trikala, in central Greece. Over the years, the company has developed, increasingly demonstrating a dynamic presence in the international market by expanding its biscuit varieties. It now offers a wide range of 130 products, including filled biscuits. THE BIGGEST CONSUMERS The biggest consumers of filled biscuits seem to be Indonesians, followed closely by Indians. The United Kingdom, the country where biscuits all started, is only in third position in terms of consumption. The South Koreans are also indulging in this type of confection, being in fourth place, followed by Canada. The next countries, according to consumption of filled biscuits, are Norway, Brazil, Belgium and Saudi Arabia. l “Nuts, together with coffee and caramel flavors, could easily join the top 10 list of fillings, while powdered cheese and sausage or other meat products are options for savory biscuits.” 23