Washington, D.C.-based Blue Circle Foods has high hopes for its value-added frozen portions and smoked seafood products in 2021.

The pandemic has shown the need for the food industry to invest in more automation and build more flexibility in the production while reinforcing strict sanitation standards.

Berries continue to be one of the most successful, fastest-growing categories in grocery fresh produce departments nationwide.

In the wake of COVID, most retail bakeries have had to make physical changes both to the front and back of the house in order to keep safety protocols in place.

Even before COVID, snacking was on a steady upward trajectory, and healthy snacks — like fresh fruits and vegetables — were faring particularly well, a trend that should continue throughout 2021.

The pandemic continues to leave its mark on the grocery retail industry, and the evolutions that occur in 2021 will have a lasting impact, retailers, their supplier partners and other industry experts agree.

Demand for natural meats is strong and growing quickly.

Norwegian salmon shippers were pleased that during the pandemic, volumes from Norway to the United States fell just 5% — and that the value of exports actually climbed 2%.

Snacking, convenience and new options for homebound Americans during the pandemic are among the cheese trends retailers and suppliers are keeping a close eye on as 2021 gets underway.