Driven by consumers' desire for fast and nutritious options, the popularity of smoked (preserved) fish, including salmon, trout, herring, and mackerel, is on the rise – with an estimated market value of $8.2 billion in 2023. By 2030, the category is expected to reach $11.54 billion with a compound annual growth rate of 5% between 2023-2030.
These smoked fish varieties are packed with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, making them a fit for the convenient meal and snacking trend sweeping the food and beverage industry.
Acme invites ‘new consumers into the smoked fish category’ with expanded offerings
Traditionally, Acme has focused on smoked salmon, however, Low pointed out that the brand’s new Smoked Sesame Ahi Tuna is a “way for us to bring new consumers into the smoked fish category.”
In collaboration with fellow Brooklyn brand, Mike’s Hot Honey, Acme introduced its Creamy Smoked Salmon + Hot Honey Dip, which is the brand’s “very first dairy-based dip that has smoked salmon in here and also the sweet heat from Mike’s Hot Honey,” Low said. The dip is set to launch in Whole Foods in October.
Low highlighted the continued popularity of sweet heat flavors across the food industry, which played into Acme’s flavor development.
“When we look at flavors everywhere beyond the seafood industry … sweet heat … the spicy combination with sweet, we are definitely seeing more of that,” she said.
Low noted that consumers are seeking more global flavors in their cuisines and that Acme “takes inspiration really from everywhere,” when developing new formats and flavors for the smoked fish category.
Acme’s foray into convenient and protein-rich snacks is featured in its Lox in a Box snack kits, which call out 12 grams of protein per kit. Each 3.25-ounce kit contains smoked salmon, cream cheese or avocado and crackers, and is available on Acme’s website and select retailers, including Wegmans, Morton Williams, DeCicco’s and Lincoln Market, among others.
“People are really just looking for protein … as well as convenient protein in whatever format,” Low said.
The brand also expanded its signature smoked salmon filets to include more flavors, including Hot Smoked Salmon, Lemon Garlic, Honey Maple and Kansas City Barbecue, which offer convenience for consumers.
“It has the texture of cooked fish. So, you do not have to cook, we cook for you,” Low said.
Updated packaging provides brand storytelling, nutrition and sustainability initiatives
To showcase these new offerings, the Brooklyn-based company also unveiled its updated packaging which features a bold blue color with a line drawing of salmon on the front.
The packaging also highlights the brand’s family-owned history as a fourth-generation company, in addition to a smoke scale that ranges from light to smoky, protein content and sustainability call-out that show 1% of sales are donated to climate initiatives.
