--- title: "2019 Food & Beverage Industry Predictions: Which Trends Should Brands and Distributors Pay Attention To?" description: "With 2018 drawing to a close, market research firms are releasing their 2019 industry trend forecasts. Mintel and Innova Market Insights have each published their top trends for the food industry, while New Nutrition Business, Whole Foods Market, and The Kroger Co. have also weighed in on the future of food and beverage." author: "New Distribution" publisher: "New Distribution" email: "zhaobo258@gmail.com" telephone: "+8615854817671" published: "2018-11-26" language: "en" canonical: "https://xinjignxiao.com/en/articles/2019-food-beverage-industry-predictions-which-trends-should-brands-and-d-bb60747a/" markdown: "https://xinjignxiao.com/en/articles/2019-food-beverage-industry-predictions-which-trends-should-brands-and-d-bb60747a.md" original_source: "https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/9qqWWwK87QCRkamrBKjMhg" translation: "https://xinjignxiao.com/zh/articles/2019%E9%A3%9F%E5%93%81%E9%A5%AE%E6%96%99%E8%A1%8C%E4%B8%9A%E9%A2%84%E6%B5%8B-%E6%9C%89%E5%93%AA%E4%BA%9B%E8%B6%8B%E5%8A%BF%E5%80%BC%E5%BE%97%E5%93%81%E7%89%8C%E5%95%86-%E7%BB%8F%E9%94%80%E5%95%86%E5%85%B3%E6%B3%A8-bb60747a.md" attribution: "New Distribution — https://xinjignxiao.com/en/articles/2019-food-beverage-industry-predictions-which-trends-should-brands-and-d-bb60747a/" usage_policy: "https://xinjignxiao.com/ai-policy.txt" --- # 2019 Food & Beverage Industry Predictions: Which Trends Should Brands and Distributors Pay Attention To? > With 2018 drawing to a close, market research firms are releasing their 2019 industry trend forecasts. Mintel and Innova Market Insights have each published their top trends for the food industry, while New Nutrition Business, Whole Foods Market, and The Kroger Co. have also weighed in on the future of food and beverage. △Add friend and note "inspection" to register In just over a month, 2018 will be over and 2019 will be upon us. Every year at this time, major market research firms release their industry trend forecasts for the coming year. Recently, Mintel and Innova Market Insights have each released their 2019 food industry trends, and New Nutrition Business, Amazon's upscale supermarket Whole Foods Market, and The Kroger Co. have also made predictions for the food and beverage industry next year. Below, let's take a look at what these organizations have predicted for the food and beverage industry in the coming year. **Mintel: Three Global Food & Beverage Trends for 2019** Mintel has released its three global food and beverage trends for 2019: **Sustainable Consumption, Healthy Aging, and Premium Convenience.** These three trends were identified through collaborative research by 90 Mintel analysts, thought leaders, and food and beverage industry experts from multiple countries. Mintel expects them to be the major food and beverage development trends in 2019 and beyond. > **Permanent Sustainability** Mintel points out that the definition of sustainability is expanding to encompass the entire product lifecycle—from farm to retailer to fork to trash bin, and ideally transformed and reborn as new plants, ingredients, products, or packaging. This is a 360-degree comprehensive sustainability that ensures limited resources are utilized for as long as possible. Jenny Zegler, Associate Director of Mintel's Food & Drink division, said: "By 2019, as consumers better understand what it takes to achieve a true circular economy for food and drink, societal support and demand for corporate sustainability initiatives will increase." At the same time, consumer attitudes toward plastic are undergoing dramatic changes, and bio-based packaging materials will drive the development of the next generation of reliable packaging. US company Ecovative uses mushroom mycelium and waste straw to produce Mycofoam, a biodegradable alternative to polystyrene foam. > **Healthy Aging** Mintel predicts that more foods and beverages will offer solutions to health issues related to longevity, using positive language in marketing and rejecting negative connotations like 'anti-aging' to make products appealing to all age groups. As more consumers begin to view health as a holistic, proactive, and ongoing pursuit, the conversation about health will shift toward more targeted solutions for healthy aging. Zegler said: "Expect food and drink manufacturers to look to the beauty and personal care industry for inspiration in developing healthy aging products." The beauty industry has successfully established a model of healthy aging, marketing positive products to people of all ages with positive language. > **Premium Convenience** The third trend focuses on a new wave of shortcuts that offer consumers new conveniences, such as the expansion of single-serve meal kits in retail, foodservice-inspired packaged beverages, and a new generation of prepared meals, fresh-cut vegetables, and seasonings that approximate restaurant flavors. The market researcher says this wave is a response to prioritizing healthy eating, the pursuit of deliciousness, interest in personalization, and competition in rapid delivery services. Technological advances will also raise expectations for convenient foods and beverages, and "premium convenience" will extend to every meal, snack, and beverage occasion. Zegler expects that as the consumer base grows, demand for upgraded convenience meal solutions and restaurant-quality grab-and-go products will surge, giving brands more opportunities to develop quick, customizable premium convenience products suitable for meals, snacks, and desserts. 2018 World Beverage Innovation Award Best Drink—Soylent plant-based protein meal replacement drink. ## **Innova: Top 10 Global Food & Beverage Trends for 2019!** Innova has also recently released its top ten trends that will influence innovation in the food and beverage industry in the coming year or beyond. **Trend 1: Discovery—The Adventurous Consumer** Targeting consumers who are willing to try new things and designing new discoveries and experiences will be a key trend influencing the food and beverage industry in 2019. The interconnected world exposes consumers of all ages to more diverse cultures; from 2016 to 2017, new product launches related to "discovery" grew by 35%. "Discovery" is the top trend in Innova Market Insights' top ten for 2019. The food and beverage industry is placing increasing importance on adventurous consumers. Consumers are stepping out of their comfort zones to boldly explore flavors and multiple dining experiences. Enhancing sensory enjoyment is a focus, often combined with unexpected elements. **Trend 2: The Plant Kingdom** The plant-based market is unstoppable. Companies and brands are "greening" their product lines to attract mainstream consumers who want to increase their intake of plant-based products. For many, the plant-based trend means becoming healthy and sustainable by balancing animal and plant products, rather than following a one-size-fits-all diet. **Trend 3: Alternatives to All** As more consumers focus on health and sustainability, alternative foods and ingredients are growing. Health remains the primary reason for purchasing alternative foods; 50% of US consumers say health is why they buy bread, meat, or dairy alternatives. The quest for alternative proteins has increased the use of black beans, lentils, peas, rice, nuts and seeds, chickpeas, and even insects as protein ingredients in food. **Trend 4: Green Appeal** The industry continues to respond to consumer demands for sustainability. This driving corporate goal has led manufacturers to take a series of initiatives to actively invest in sustainable products and packaging development. These initiatives include reducing waste through upcycling ingredients and post-consumer recycling, improving biodegradability, and adopting new technologies such as compostable capsules and plant-based inks. **Trend 5: Snacking: The Definitive Occasion** For most consumers, **snacking has always been part of the day. But current perceptions and awareness of snacking have changed. Snacking is no longer an extra option but has evolved into a definitive occasion/scenario.** It is central to cross-category innovation in food and beverage; over the past five years, Innova has tracked a 10% increase in food and beverage product launches with snacking claims (CAGR 2013-2017). **Trend 6: Eating for Me** Personalized needs and preferences are having a huge impact on new product development, and personalization is shifting toward mainstream. Innova Market Insights compared consumer eating habits in China and the US and found that "high protein" is the top growing category for personalized needs in both markets, followed by plant-based. Ketogenic and paleo diets are currently popular mainly in Europe and the US, while in China they remain a niche segment. **Trend 7: A Fresh Look at Fiber** "Fiber" is a common food ingredient that everyone knows, but what new discoveries and applications are there? Earlier this year, the US FDA included eight fibers in the dietary fiber nutrition label, which undoubtedly increases application opportunities for more fibers and provides consumers with more healthful choices. 50% of Chinese consumers increased their fiber intake in 2018, and global new product launches with fiber claims grew at an average annual rate of 21%. Chinese consumers are concerned about the link between fiber and gut health, weight management, and brain health. Currently, there are many new fiber products for gut health and weight management; brain health is an area worth watching and could be a future blue ocean. **Trend 8: I Feel Good** According to Innova's consumer demand survey, over 90% of consumers in China, the US, and the UK believe that mental health is as important as physical health. **Food and beverages are not only for health but also for relaxation and emotional comfort.** New product launches with mind and body wellness claims have also grown at an average annual rate of 36%. Two-fifths of Chinese respondents said that "feeling good" is an important aspect of eating. In addition to "pleasure" claims, new products with "guilt-free" claims have also shown stepwise growth, peaking in 2018. Consumers not only want to eat well but also want to enjoy eating. **Trend 9: Small Player Mindset** Startups will continue to shake up the industry, such as the well-known Greek yogurt brand Chobani and snack brand Three Squirrels. They not only stand out in fierce competition but can even compete with giants, becoming industry leaders and winning consumer favor. According to Innova consumer research, **3/5 of Chinese consumers prefer small brands, believing they are more dedicated to their products and have their own stories. This is also the reason for the rise of small brands.** **Trend 10: Connected to the Plate** As the name suggests, this trend connects products, scenarios, and consumers in real-time through social media. According to Innova consumer research: 55% of Chinese consumers aged 26-35 take photos of their food and share them online at least once a week. 43% of Chinese respondents are influenced by social media when purchasing food and beverages. Social media takes many forms, such as WeChat Moments, short videos, Douyin, and live streaming platforms for eating shows. ## **New Nutrition Business: Top 10 Food Nutrition & Health Trends for 2019** In addition, the authoritative food business media magazine New Nutrition Business has released its top 10 food nutrition and health trends for 2019: > 1. Digestive Health > > 2. Plant-Based > > 3. Protein > > 4. Sugar > > 5. Good Carbs, Bad Carbs > > 6. Fragmentation & Personalization > > 7. Snackification > > 8. Beverage Redefined > > 9. The Return of Fat > > 10. Real & Traceable ## **Whole Foods Market: Top 10 Food Trends for 2019** > 1. Pacific Rim Flavors > > 2. Innovative Probiotic Applications > > 3. Fat "Makes a Comeback" > > 4. New Hemp Products > > 5. Vegan Meat Snacks > > 6. Packaging Goes Green > > 7. Frozen Food Upgrades > > 8. Ocean Foods Beyond Seaweed > > 9. Snacks as Meals > > 10. Purchasing Power Matters **The Kroger Co.: 5 Food Industry Trend Predictions for 2019** > 1. Healthy Eating Remains Popular > > 2. Rise of Gut Health Foods > > 3. Low Sugar and Natural Sweeteners > > 4. Plant-Based Foods Continue to Gain Popularity > > 5. Regional and Global Flavors **Summary** **Taken together, these trend forecasts show that consumers care about food health and functionality, information transparency and traceability, and personalization and sustainable development are all future industry trends.** Source: Food & Beverage Industry Micro Journal **10th B2B E-commerce Inspection--"From Product to Scene"** Event Dates: December 10-13 Event Locations: Wuhu, Nanjing, Changsha Event Schedule: > Morning of Dec 10: Visit Three Squirrels HQ + Toudian Store > > Afternoon of Dec 10: Visit Nanjing Squirrel Small Store > > Evening of Dec 10: Visit Nanjing Master Gao Brewpub > > > > > All day Dec 11: Nanjing to Changsha, or free time > > > > > Morning of Dec 12: Community Group Buying Exchange Salon > > > Afternoon of Dec 12: Kaola Select Heroes League Launch Event > > Evening of Dec 12 to early morning of Dec 13: On-site inspection of Kaola Select Logistics Center—**This is the peak sorting time in the warehouse, offering a direct view and learning opportunity of the backend operations of community group buying e-commerce** **Distributor friends who are interested are welcome to join us to learn and inspect on-site:** **Organization Format** 1. Expert Exchange Salon 2. Company Visits 3. On-site Explanations 4. One-on-One Communication 5. Real Market Case Visits If you are interested in participating and are interested in a specific day's content, you can register separately. Long press this QR code or click "Read Original" to register in one click! Add friend and note your intention -END- --- ## Copyright and AI use This article is sourced from New Distribution. Search, quotation, summarization, and model training are permitted, but every use must credit New Distribution and retain the canonical source URL. Contact: zhaobo258@gmail.com · +86 158 5481 7671