Pandemic-Era Cooking Staple Takes Hit as Americans Go Out More

2/2 © Bloomberg. Aluminum foil on the production line at the Sayanal foil mill, operated by United Co. Rusal, in Sayanogorsk, Russia, on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. United Co. Rusal International PJSC’s parent said the company has produced aluminum with the lowest carbon footprint as the race for cleaner sources of the metal intensifies. 2/2

(Bloomberg) -- Aluminum foil, which got a boost from more at-home dining during the early stages of the pandemic when many eateries closed, is having a tougher time these days.

People are leaving their houses more, meaning “daily usage has dropped moderately,” Reynolds Consumer Products (NASDAQ:REYN) Inc. Chief Executive Officer Lance Mitchell said Tuesday on a call with analysts after reporting quarterly revenue that missed expectations. 

Consumers are also turning to appliances such as air fryers and slow cookers, Mitchell said. Those gadgets don’t always require foil.

Even as pandemic restrictions fade and consumer mobility goes back to normal, the rising cost of eating out is giving homemade meals a boost. With that in mind, Reynolds rolled out discounts and advertising for foil that have helped consumption, the company said. The promotions will extend into the holiday season.

The holidays may be an occasion for dining out this year as consumers look for ways to combat the high prices of turkey, potatoes and other traditional items. Inflation in the “food-away-from-home” category is rising at a slower rate than for groceries.

See also: Pizza for Thanksgiving is latest Gen Z inflation hack

The Lake Forest, Illinois-based firm also said it hasn’t yet benefited from easing commodity costs. Aluminum prices have declined more than 16% this year amid a global slowdown in demand, surging energy prices across Europe and Covid-related shutdowns in China, the world’s biggest consumer of the material. For now, Reynolds is still making products with higher-priced aluminum it purchased earlier.

Reynolds shares fell as much as 6.3% to $29.40 in New York trading, the most since Aug. 9.