With the rise in snack-type occasions and demand for on-the-go food, consumers still want to feel they are making healthy choices.
“The ‘better for you’ trend continues to grow in the snacks category. Claims such as high in protein, gluten-free and natural ingredients, or low in sugar are proving very popular,” said Janine Dench, Senior Client Manager, DKSH New Zealand Limited.
“Emerging flavours for our products, such as the Fibre One range, usually closely follow trending baking flavours like cheesecake, funfetti, etc.”
Consumers are snacking more frequently, and with food safety awareness being such a focus, individually wrapped snacks are a must. Many snack players have had to adjust their products into single-serve wrapped options and adjust product labels and ingredient lists accordingly.
As people become label readers, the snack industry must ensure they have ingredients and options across their product range to appeal to different shoppers who want to know they are choosing healthy options with a specific ingredient list.
“Keeping the balance between function, taste, and health is vital to stay competitive. Manufacturers should continue to call out their points of difference on packs. Suppliers now rely heavily on data research of consumer needs for ranging; only products that fit these consumer needs will be ranged.”
As the snacks industry moves into 2024, Dench’s primary concern is stable pricing across the snack category.
Read more about snacking in New Zealand below.
