This will be facilitated by the expected increase in utilization of existing capacity and the availability of new capacity. Consumption With more adults in the workplace, the demand for foods that are convenient, economical, and offer an acceptable nutrition profile, is expected to increase. Pasta seems to be well positioned to meet such a demand. Growing consumer concerns about 'healthy' foods is another factor that will support the demand for pasta products. To facilitate the consumers decisions, pasta manufacturers will need to convey information relating to nutritional attributes in a clear and concise manner.
Some manufacturers feel that there is still a large untapped potential for pasta use.
Products such as pasta-based snack foods are expected to increase pasta consumption significantly. Canadian per capita pasta consumption is projected to increase to about 16 lbs by the year 2000 assuming an annual average population growth rate of about 0.8 per cent. Imports Pasta imports are expected to remain high but their share of total Canadian consumption is expected to decline as domestic production increases. For 1997, total imports of 60,100 t are expected, a three per cent increase from 1996. By 2000, imports are projected to grow by an annual average rate of three per cent to about 65,600 t, equivalent to about 29 per cent of the projected domestic consumption, compared to 32 per cent in 1996.