The F&B industry is one of the biggest industries in today’s global market. This industry will always continue to grow and change exponentially. The food and restaurant business is a large market with constant changes and innovations. To become an established entity in this market, you need to understand consumer requirements.
The food market is always coming up with newer recipes and food items. They come up with constant changes to ensure their place in the market. Without adapting to the trends no industry can fully take advantage of attracting customers. Adapting to consumer trends can be advantageous both in the short and long term.
The year 2022 is shaping up to be a year with unique and exciting ideas in the food market. With the advancements in technology, there are more sophisticated business techniques like cloud kitchens, home delivery apps, and many more. These are just some of the trends the F&B industry should look into and adapt to get ahead of the competition. Let us look at the top consumer trends in food industry operations.
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Vegan Meals
The recent need to stay healthy post-Covid has caused numerous dietary changes across all countries. The need to reduce the carbon footprint has also caused many people to adapt to plant-based meals and stop meat or animal products. Many people are actively seeking meals and services from environmentally responsible businesses. When this is combined with a renewed emphasis on health, it is easy to see why potato milk is so popular today. While nut-based milk, plant-based meats, and vegan alternatives are gaining popularity among consumers, the Indian foodscape appears to be undergoing a larger renaissance.
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New Ingredients
Due to the pandemic, people are paying more attention to their health and wellness and CPGs are finding new ways to incorporate classic functional ingredients into more of their products in food trends 2022.
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The New-Gen Food
The newer generation has not only shown more inclination towards fast food items, but they are also showing an increased interest in plant-based foods to help protect the environment. Though some of these foods made with new technologies may appear strange to older and more traditional consumers, they will assist them in both the short and long term.
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Outdoor Dining
There has been a large increase in demand for outdoor dining. People like to spend their time in beautifully decorated and ambient restaurants trying every single delicacy that they have to offer. A large number of the population is a passionate group that treats food as art. A building or investment in fine dining restaurants in an outdoor setting can attract a large number of customers.
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Alcohol-Free Zone
Alcohol consumption and the resulting hangovers are no longer fashionable. Mocktails and cocktails with low or no ABV (Alcohol by Volume) are becoming more popular as people strive to live healthier lives. This is because the alt-cult of ‘Sober Curiosity’ appears to be having a moment in the spotlight among Generation Z. Sober curiosity refers to the gen z trying to be sober or refraining from alcoholic beverages.
While ingredients like adaptogens, probiotics, and nootropics aren’t necessarily new, the way they’re being incorporated into food and beverages is.