South African consumers are increasingly embracing Mexican-inspired food as part of their regular meal repertoire, signalling a broader shift towards convenient and customisable global flavours.
According to the latest six-month retail data to August 2026 sourced from DataOrbis, the category highlights exceptional growth:
- Meal kits and taco formats: +161%, compared with category growth of 1.4%
- Sauces and salsas: +108%, compared with competitive-set growth of 74%
- Mexican seasonings: +207%
The growth follows Rialto’s assumption of Old El Paso’s local distribution in mid-2025. As part of the Libstar Group, Rialto has since focused on re-establishing retail listings and strengthening the brand’s national availability.
Derek Couzens, Managing Executive of Rialto, says the performance reflects changing consumer needs and a growing interest in meal solutions that combine convenience, flavour and flexibility.
Mexican-inspired food is moving beyond the occasional ‘taco night’ and becoming a broader meal occasion. Consumers can adapt these formats to different tastes, budgets and dietary preferences, making them relevant for everything from quick weeknight meals to informal entertaining.”
This trend is also becoming more visible in the retail environment. Major retailers are increasingly recognising Global Meals & Flavours as a distinct category, with some introducing dedicated Mexican food sections in-store.
According to Couzens, the next stage of category growth will require greater consumer understanding of the different meal formats.
There is an opportunity to simplify the differences between tacos, fajitas, enchiladas and burritos, and to show consumers how these meals can be adapted using familiar proteins, vegetables and toppings.”
The data suggests that consumers are responding not only to individual products, but to more complete meal solutions that make international flavours easier to recreate at home.
Rialto combines specialist expertise in importing, distributing and developing global food brands with Libstar’s broader capabilities and understanding of the South African consumer market.
Words and images provided.
