According to market data from consulting and research firm Gira, demand for frozen bread, particularly in the sandwich sector is growing and this trend is confirmed by bakery products supplier Délifrance.

“The UK’s sandwich market is estimated to be worth £3.5bn,” says Lucy Pickersgill, UK marketing controller for Délifrance. “Our research shows that the use of frozen breads is growing, particularly in terms of sandwiches in foodservice outlets, where demand is high and costs have to be kept low.”

The company’s most recent healthy-option bread launch, the DeliVital range, is also frozen. The company says the bread is packed with essential nutrients and the fatty acid Omega 3.

Last month, the Délifrance flagship concept café in Man-chester was crowned Coffee Bar Sandwich Retailer of the Year by the British Sandwich Association. “Among other criteria, the judges looked at sandwich sales and the product range on offer. All our sandwiches are made using frozen Délifrance breads, which are baked-off on the premises every day,” says Pickersgill. “Concepts like the Délifrance Provencette, which can be supplied pre-filled and pre-grilled reduce preparation time and are easy to manage.”

Délifrance has recently launched nine new bread lines, including mini Kaiser Rolls and a Sultana Batard.