The Future of Food Technology: Top Trends from the IFT Annual Conference and Expo
Miri Eliyahu
In mid-July, food technologists, ingredient companies, start-ups in the food tech space and food science experts convened for the annual Institute for Food Technologists (IFT) meeting in Chicago. This year, a few trends stood out, for both their educational emphasis and their overwhelming presence on the show floor.
Five Key Snack Trends to Track in 2024-2025
Carl Quash III
Global snack sales continue to grow – set to surpass USD680 billion in retail sales in 2024, up 5.6% from 2023. Though inflation is slowing and promotions are peaking, challenges such as the cocoa crisis and consumers’ reassessment of their snack spend persist. Euromonitor International’s snacks research has identified five key trends set to shape snacks in the year ahead.
Three Value Strategies to Drive Growth of Snacking in Asia
Emil Fazira
Spending on food in Asia is set to go up despite how easy it is for consumers to trade down to more affordable food options. Brands (both manufacturers and restaurateurs) must show how good quality, unique experiences and, most importantly, joy and satisfaction can come at a reasonable price.
Flavour Trends and Innovation: Classic Flavours with Strongest Staying Power
Jared Conway
Amidst an ever-growing array of flavour experiments driven by R&D, aimed at capturing the attention of increasingly distracted and busy consumers, certain classic flavours consistently stand out. In the world of packaged food, where new flavours are continuously being introduced, three enduring favourites—chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry—still lead the way.
The Potential of Probiotics in Naturally Functional Food in Asia
Emil Fazira
Naturally functional benefits in food have long been linked to herbal ingredients and traditional cuisine in Asia, often rooted in fermented foods. As studies have shown that fermented foods are the most common natural source of probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), this has helped to raise the reputation of these foods and consumer familiarity with probiotics and their benefits has grown across Asia.
Top Three Trends from the 2024 Sweets and Snacks Expo
Miri Eliyahu
The 2024 National Confectioners Association’s Sweets and Snacks Expo wrapped up last week in Indianapolis. Among numerous innovative new product launches, educational sessions, and an overall celebration of everything snack-related, three trends emerged. Read on to find out more.
The Future of Positive Nutrition and Challenges to Overcome
Carl Quash III
Consumers’ relationship with diets is ever-changing. Now, unprecedented priority is being placed on addressing diet-related human health issues to improve what and how we eat and build a future containing a healthy, productive population. World Nutrition Day is a time to reflect on the greatest challenges that positive nutrition faces and what can be done to overcome them.
Southeast Asia Holds Growth Potential for Chinese Food Firms
Emil Fazira
The Chinese food industry’s sales totalled USD328.7 billion in 2023, a whopping 40% of the Asia Pacific region’s total. This was particularly buoyed by staple foods which in China grew by a 5% CAGR in retail value sales terms between 2018 and 2023. Dairy products and alternatives sales are a contrast, where China is losing share of Asia Pacific’s, albeit gradually: slipping from 52% in 2018 to 48% in 2023.
The Business of Wellness: Opportunities for Brand Growth
Euromonitor International
Find data and insights on the health and wellness landscape, so you can adapt your strategy to meet consumer needs.