ADM’s third annual outlook on global consumer food, beverage and animal nutrition trends has been released. The eight areas of interest are expanded proteins, balanced wellness, proactive personalisation, trust and traceability, earth-friendly production, social impact, modern pet parent, and experiential eating.
“The desire for a healthy mind, body and soul, as well as the global community and planet, are manifesting in proactive and decisive conscientious consumption across categories. As consumers look to prioritise what is most important to them, they want nutrition brands to do the same. Companies that can nimbly evolve alongside consumers are poised for success in the coming year and beyond.,” said Brad Schwan, vice president of marketing for ADM.
The research found that more than half of consumers consider themselves flexitarians and are trying to eat more plant-based foods. Consumers are adopting mindful choices, with 79 percent believing that supporting mental health positively impacts overall health and wellness. There is rising interest in food and drink customised to individual needs - 55 percent of consumers said they would spend more on functional foods that support health goals.
Consumers seek to support brands and companies that they perceive as being honest and authentic about production and supply chain, and 49 percent said they had changed their diet in the last year to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. A further 30 percent of consumers have actively boycotted brands because of ethical credentials.
Modern pet parenting is on the rise; over 60 percent of owners said branded health ingredients in pet food are essential.
Finally, experiential eating is rising; 74 percent of consumers expressed the desire to try new flavours, and 63 percent said they like to be experimental while cooking.
