Despite an overall drop in the sales volume of grain-based food products, Horsham-based Bimbo Bakeries USA is still the largest baker in the nation, writes Eric Schroeder for the Supermarket Perimeter.

The grain-based food industry has been losing market share to other food categories for years. But the most recent data indicates an acceleration in the rate of decline.

For example, fresh bread, the industry’s flagship product, experienced a 4.8 percent unit drop in volume over the last year. Dollar sales were also down by 0.8 percent.

The U.S. business of Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V. also saw a 6.1 percent decline in unit sales during that period.

This declining sales volume has also exacerbated the excess in production capacity in the baking industry, causing numerous plants to close in the last twelve months.

This includes the closure of the Bimbo plant in West Hazelton, which was announced by the company in September.

To stem the market losses, the industry is considering several new programs, including a checkoff program that promotes “bread basket” products, such as bread, rolls, bagels, and English muffins.

Read more about Bimbo Bakeries USA at the Supermarket Perimeter by clicking here.

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