Moving to 2024, it is clear that the food industry is full of innovative concepts that change the perception of food. New ideas are being produced in the food recipe development field, from the use of new and healthy ingredients to packaging that does not harm the environment and from diverse and nutritious products to technology helping out in food production. Please find out how the market will evolve with the top 10 food industry trends 2024 of the year that are expected to change how we consume food, shop, and even live. Prepare yourself for a ride of flavours, nutrition, and innovation like never before.
1. Plant-Based Innovations
There is already a noticeable increase in servings of vegetarian and vegan food products and general food items made from plant protein. According to a new report by Bloomberg Intelligence (BI), The plant-based foods market could make up to 7.7% of the global protein market by 2030, with a value of over $162 billion, up from $29.4 billion in 2020. Consumers can expect to find more innovations, such as products from plant-based seafood, plant-based dairy products, and gourmet plant-based meats.
2. Functional foods in product development
There is a growing innovation in food product development, which are food products that offer health benefits beyond traditional nutrition. Among the examples of product opportunities are vitaminized, mineralized, probiotics, and adaptogenic products. For instance, we have foods with probiotics for the gut and adaptogens for the stress getting to the markets. Specifically, global functional foods are expected to grow on a certain level.
3. Sustainable Packaging
There are always increasing environmental concerns, which is why sustainable packaging is considered important in food recipe development. Viable products include using products like bio-degradable plastics, recycled papers, and compostable films. Coca-Cola and Unilever are just a couple of companies that have set themselves a high bar and are striving to make changes to reduce plastic use and make them more easily recyclable.
4. Introducing Smart Foods and AI integration
In the current world, smart technology and artificial intelligence have taken a central stage in the development of food. Artificial intelligence is being applied to predict desired flavours or ratios of ingredients and concoct new drinks. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated applications, making food production smarter, more efficient, and highly responsive to consumer demands.
5. Low-sugar and Natural Sweeteners
People are becoming increasingly conscious of their health, so there is a change towards low-sugar foods and natural sugars. Stevia, monk fruit, and date syrup are some examples of non-nutrient sweeteners that are becoming increasingly popular compared to other refined sugars. The sweeteners industry worldwide is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 97,572.3 million by 2030, as per the report by Grand View Research.
6. Fermented Foods
One of the popular trends is that fermented foods, which contain many probiotics, are becoming popular again. Drinks such as kombucha, foods like kimchi, and even raw cabbage product such as sauerkraut are trends that are being brought to the public due to the health benefits they have on the gut. According to research, The Fermented Food Market was valued at USD 578.1 billion in 2023.
7. Clean Label and Minimal Processing
Consumers continue to demand transparency and simplicity in food products. New products focus on minimal processing, fewer ingredients, and “clean” labels, emphasizing natural and recognizable components.
8. Ethnic and Global Flavors
Consumers are more experimental with their palates and open to ethnic and world flavours. With time, Ethiopian berbere and Korean gochujang are being incorporated into most products produced in the markets. This trend owes its existence to the growing interest in the diverse food diets worldwide.
9. Health-Conscious Snacks
Increasing consumer concern about health is another aspect of the snacks market shifting towards low-sugar options with high protein content and healthy nutrients. Newbies are protein bars, vegetable chips, snacks, and keto snacks. Specialized food sales, such as snacks for a nutritious diet, are expected to show an 8% annual growth due to an increasing focus on global health.
10. Enhanced Protein Sources
New, innovative protein sources are emerging, including insect-based proteins, algae, and fermented proteins. These are being incorporated into various food products like bars, shakes, and snacks, appealing to the environmentally conscious consumer.
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Conclusion
Given this, the following trends that have started emerging in the development of food products remain pertinent to the future of the food industry in 2024. Whether it is concerned with diet plans tailored to individual shoppers, eco-friendly packaging, plant-based proteins, or the use of artificial intelligence in product development, the trend revolves around healthy figures and packaging and the overall contentment of the consumers. Thus, businesses can find out more about such trends to remain relevant in today’s society.
Adopting these trends is important because it can capture the changing consumer needs and be part of successful food firms. These indices will, in one form or another, impact your decisions and actions whether you are a food manufacturer, retailer, or a consumer in the New Year.
At Foodsure, we are at the forefront of food innovation, continuously innovating to meet changing consumer needs. We help food manufacturers, retailers, and consumers adapt and thrive in the evolving food landscape by applying these trends. Join us on this exciting journey to shape the future of food!
