Five themes that ADM sees are reshaping the food industry
According to Archer Daniels Midland Co., the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused behavioral and sociological changes that will affect how people eat and drink in the coming year.
The company’s top trends for 2021 are influenced by increased stress and anxiety, altering priorities, changes in social connectedness, and more holistic approaches to health and wellness. These trends are based on research from its OutsideVoice consumer insights platform.
According to Vincent F. Macciocchi, president of nutrition at ADM, “we are seeing a heightened demand for foods and beverages that support immune systems, enhance our mood, and reduce our environmental impact, driven in part by emerging human tensions.” “Brands now have a rare chance to create ground-breaking new products that will revolutionize our eating and drinking habits forever. This year promises to be innovative, with big developments in nutrition.
ADM predicts that customers will continue to take a proactive approach to sustaining their bodies and minds, with 31% of consumers buying more items specifically designed for their health and 50% looking for naturally beneficial components. Nutrient-dense products with functional advantages to enhance immune systems, improve mood, and maintain energy are available.
As more customers gravitate toward products with hues that indicate citrus flavors due to their supposed immune-boosting properties, sensory aspects like flavor and color will become more and more essential. In order to reduce tension, consumers will also look for goods with comforting, nostalgic flavors, according to ADM.
An further doorway to wellbeing is the gut microbiota. According to ADM, 25% of customers worldwide experience digestive health problems, and 50% of them stated that these problems have a moderate to severe influence on their general health. According to the company, products that target the microbiome may address problems with immune system support, emotional health, and weight management. These products may also present potential for functional solutions such as prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.
When the plant-based trend moves beyond burger substitutes, whole-muscle goods such as lunch meat, bacon, steak, and chicken breast will become more and more popular. According to ADM, dairy substitutes will also keep growing into other forms like yogurt, ice cream, butter, spreads, and creamers. The company stated that in order for those products to stand out, they will need to provide more protein than conventional dairy and have nutritional labels enhanced with vitamins and other useful elements.
According to ADM, over two thirds of consumers aspire to positively impact the environment through everyday behaviors; hence, sustainability will remain a top priority. Companies will need to show sustainability commitments that go beyond the final product to address issues like responsible sourcing and operational standards as awareness of the collective environmental impact develops.
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Companies can respond to consumer demand for environmentally friendly protein by offering specialized feed to lower methane emissions in animals, according to ADM. Regenerative agriculture is one of the emerging farming techniques that could improve soil quality and cut carbon emissions. Seaweed and cornstarch are examples of renewable plant-based packaging materials that could also help minimize landfill waste.
According to ADM, consumers are also requesting that food labels contain more information about the whole life cycle of the product. It is anticipated that demand for locally based goods would increase, since 26% of buyers claim to check the nation of origin on packaging.
According to ADM, more customers are looking for natural substitutes for artificial flavors and colors, such as elderberries and mint. As more individuals look for natural solutions to cut back on sugar intake, sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit are predicted to expand as well.