Top Food and Beverage Market Trends '23

trends. We wanted to tap into this intelligence to benefit our customers, by using it to inform and inspire product development,” explains Sherlyn Sim, Regional Manager, Market Insights and Innovation, Nutrition, at Brenntag Asia Pacific.

We have leveraged all our research resources - customer and supplier insights, ingredient performance data, country-specific application experience, product launch activity scanning, and market research - to pinpoint the trends that will drive consumer preferences in Asia Pacific in 2023. These trends will be translated into the foods and beverages of tomorrow as they shape the concepts we share with our customers.

increasingly important mantra as health and sustainability become more intertwined. Consumers will actively seek out products that establish a strong connection between planetary health and personal health.

The second will be the use of upcycled ingredients and the valorization of by- and co-products. An example might be creating high-value products like feed palatants or seasonings from fish waste through the utilization of enzymes, thereby deriving maximum value from the raw ingredient, unlocking opportunities while doing good for the environment. In its 2021 Lifestyles & Attitudes Survey, Innova reported that launches of foods and beverages that make claims regarding the use of upcycled ingredients grew by 79% from 2017-2021. We expect this trend to continue to gain momentum as ingredient suppliers seek to reduce waste within their operations and become more transparent in communicating their actions and processes.

“We work with some ingredient vendors who have great stories to tell around upcycled ingredients and as a business, we actively choose to work with suppliers who prioritize sustainability, whether that is through recycling water or lowering their carbon emissions. Telling the story behind why certain ingredients are used and how they support the planet and health will be increasingly important as consumers as well as retailers start to take an interest in supply chain transparency,” says Sherlyn.

Dairy alternatives, which are currently growing aggressively, will continue to be a hotbed of innovation, especially through the development of new and uprising alternative proteins like oat, pea, vegetable and rice. Drinking milk will lead the way, following by other relevant dairy categories such as milk drinks, yogurt and ice cream.

At Food Ingredient India 2022, for example, we were serving up plant-based oat milk that is not only lactose-free but also high in protein and fibre, targeting consumers who are health conscious.

Foods that are part-animal product, part-plant-based, offering healthier and more sustainable alternatives to 100% meat or dairy products, are also poised for growth as the flexitarian movement gains traction. Some consumers are becoming increasingly aware that too much meat may not be the best for their well-being or the planet and are opting to ‘eat less and eat better’. Hybrid foods enable them to find a ‘green’ middle ground rather than making ‘black and white’ decisions about eating meat and dairy.

“Hybrid foods are an emerging trend but one that resonates with health-conscious consumers who aren’t 100% committed to plant-based but want to do their bit for the environment. The ability to include some meat or dairy content also makes hybrid products easier to formulate from a flavor and texture point of view, so these products are more likely to find acceptance with flexitarian consumers,” notes Sherlyn.

Consumers’ attention has been captured by the growing body of science around gut health and immunity - 70% of the immune system has been found to be in the gut. During the pandemic, consumers started taking pre-, pro-, and post-biotics to boost their immunity, and the concept of using food as a vehicle for influencing health grew from there. Going forwards, innovation will target a variety of health platforms - from stress relief to sleep and skin health - and use a variety of ingredients - from botanicals with a health halo to science-backed ingredients.

This document is for informational purposes only. The statements made herein are based on our knowledge and belief at the time of publication, but we makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained herein.