In celebration of its 100 year anniversary, Anuga 2019 broke all records, according to organiser Koelnmesse. The trade show, that took place between 5-9 October 2019 in Cologne, reported over 170,000 visitors over the five days.
Approximately 7,590 exhibitors from 106 countries provided an insight into the latest trends and innovations. In special honour, this year’s show documented a history of the last 99 years of Anuga, while also focusing on future expectations of the industry through its new event area, Anuga Horizon 2050.
With emerging trends, technological advancements and socio-economic changes constantly driving change in the global food industry, Anuga’s ’10 trade shows under one roof’ concept provided the perfect opportunity to identify the current top trends.
Here are the key trend takeaways identified by the FoodBev team during its time at the show.
Plant-based protein: A trend that first emerged with start-ups is now being adopted by even the biggest of companies to meet the increasing demand from not only vegans but the adventurous consumer, and in line with healthier living. The vast number of segments that the plant-based category can be broken down into represents the sheer size of the trend and each of these were visible at Anuga. This included: meat substitutes offering better taste and texture than ever before, dairy-free products, particularly noticeable in the dessert range as well as the cheese market, and alternative protein snacks in a variety of forms based on peas, fava beans, nuts, and coconut.
Insects: A relatively upcoming trend but certainly one to look out for; insect farming offers a viable, nutritious and sustainable source for the future. Research and Markets has predicted that the global insect protein market will reach $1.33 billion by 2025. Anuga showcased a variety of insect products, with cricket protein at the forefront, in the forms of granola, chocolate, protein bars and burgers.
Sustainability: With sustainability at the core of many of these trends, companies were keen to demonstrate their green supply chain credentials, from the products themselves to the manufacturing and packaging process. According to Tetra Pak, 8 in 10 people are happy to pay more for food and beverage packaging that is environmentally sound, and this was visible in businesses’ approaches.
Health: A Tetra Pak report concluded that health is the second biggest global concern for consumers (at 46%), following the environment. Capitalising on consumer demand for healthy alternatives, there were a vast amount of reduced sugar drinks and snacks showcased at Anuga, as well as alternative snacks based on vegetables, rice, and mushrooms.
Natural energy: With an increasing number of consumers interested in adopting a more holistic approach to a healthy diet, products were seen to be taking a more natural and functional angle. Many sport drinks now offer an alternative to high sugar and caffeinated products, instead with natural prepositions with significantly reduced sugar. Another type of natural energy took form as energy balls, packed full of plant-based ingredients to give a natural boost.
Hemp: Another form of natural energy has been cropping up in the CBD market, as CBD-infused beverages offer consumers a functional drink with the added relaxing and regenerative power of hemp. With hemp finding its new meaning as part of a healthy lifestyle and increased legislation of edibles, the food and beverage industry can expect to see hemp appear in a variety of formats.
Non-alcoholic: Continuing along the lines of health, there has been a rising amount of non-alcoholic options introduced into the market as consumers are cutting back and looking for lighter options. By utilising new brewing methods that produce drinks that imitate the flavours of true alcohol, but without the ABV, companies are offering consumers more variety when looking for a non-alcoholic alternative but with style and taste.
Organic: With consumers looking out for fresher, more natural and sustainable products, Anuga held host to more than 1,500 organic products from more than 120 participants. There was a particular focus on organic food for children and babies, including infant formula, juice and ready-made baby food.
Fusion: The act of joining two or more things together can be regarded in two ways in the food and beverage industry: to create innovative combinations such as the alcohol-infused cheese and alcohol-infused tea that FoodBev sampled, as well as the now common trend for every product to offer extra functions, such as probiotics, fibre, collagen and protein.
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