SeafoodMedia, Sept. 27 - The Covid-19 epidemic in recent years has boosted Japanese consumers' demand for long-shelf-life foods, and companies are racing to promote frozen foods.

The Japan Frozen Food Association has been recording domestic production and consumption of frozen foods since 1981. Data show that the output value of consumer goods in Japan rose 5.2% year-on-year to 391.9 billion yen (about $2.83 billion) in 2021, a record high for the second consecutive year.

　　The frozen food boom caused by the outbreak may subside, but many consumers will continue to buy the food because it tastes good, relevant people said. The latest figures also show that the production of frozen shrimp dumplings and meatballs is growing particularly rapidly.

　　Frozen foods have been popular for their convenience, especially among two-income households, and during the epidemic, these foods were noted for their ability to be stored for long periods of time, and advances in production technology have helped to increase the variety and taste of frozen foods.

According to the Japan Electrical Appliance Manufacturers Association, delivery of home refrigerators jumped from 230,000 units in 2019 to 403,000 units last year.