An Industry In Transition
It is important to know the trends, innovations, and current solutions of an industry in order to keep up with them. Of course, this also applies to the food industry.
2021 is just around the corner and carries huge risks, but also opportunities to establish oneself sustainably on the market. We know that it is not always easy to keep an eye on the trends. That’s why we would like to address some developments that have dragged our attention.
Here we present the factors that we have already identified as important in 2020. These primarily include plant-based foods, health, clean labeling, changing consumer needs, and, of course, the impact of Covid-19. Each of these factors is a separate area, but none can stand entirely on its own. The following figure provides a summarized overview of the main trends mentioned in the article and their sub-trends, which are covered in more detail below.
Consumer needs
The different blocks are closely linked to each other. What comes first and foremost to our minds is the influence of consumer needs. They influence demand and have a major impact on the development of other areas.
For example, the changes Covid-19 triggered in consumer behavior this year had a major impact on the other sectors. One of the effects of the pandemic is that consumers are becoming more concerned about health. As a result, they are putting a lot of emphasis on natural foods, which in turn is leading us to Clean Labelling.
Furthermore, growing environmental awareness among consumers is leading to reduced meat consumption. This results in an increased demand for plant-based foods. So it can be said that a change in consumer needs has a direct impact on the entire food industry.
Plant-based food
Plant-based foods have become an unmistakable trend in 2020 and are now a fixed staple in retail stores. This is partly because people no longer want to eat meat due to ethical reasons. Secondly, animal products generally consume more resources than plant-based foods such as soy, nuts, and legumes. This brings us back to consumer needs. Consumers’ greater environmental awareness is leading to a steady increase in demand for plant-based foods and artificial meat.
In the field, we see a greater turn towards the use of technologies in, for example, 3D food printing and cell culture. The biggest challenge is to imitate the texture and taste in a way that consumers who don’t want to give up meat altogether will consider the alternative. Here, we must pay particular attention to providing food technologists with the necessary knowledge as well as alternative raw materials to support the industry in implementing these trends.
In 2020, 3D food printing has even joined the fight against food waste. It is already possible to make a printable paste from food waste, giving this waste one last chance.
Health
Covid-19 has left the biggest mark on the health sector. The pandemic has led to consumers wanting to eat more consciously and thus, resulting in healthier food consumption. Accordingly, the demand for healthy snacks and natural raw materials in food has increased sharply. But above all, consumers want to strengthen their immune system. To do this, many are turning to dietary supplements.
However, they are not only concerned with their physical well-being. Natural dietary supplements that support mood, sleep and recovery are in high demand.
Another trend in the health sector that food manufacturers need to be aware of is
personalized nutrition. Food diversification is growing and consumers have an inexhaustible amount of information at their hands. This leads them to develop an understanding of what type of food best suits their personal needs. To this end, they are also seeking specific advice from the industry.
Clean labeling
At a time when the choice is almost endless and awareness of healthy nutrition is growing, clean labeling is becoming increasingly important.
Consumers are looking for products that are natural and “pure.” The ingredient list should not contain incomprehensible chemical additives but natural components that are familiar to them. Accordingly, consumers are paying more and more attention to the companies that produce food. It is important to them that the companies are environmentally friendly and therefore considered as clean.
Thus, Consumers want to buy the food they can trust, and they associate this with clean labeling.
Let`s simplify the future of change!
