At the beginning of 2020 we started an exciting collaboration with Good Sense Research to create a regular Future Food Trend Tracker which sets out to demonstrate the relationship between future trend predictions and customer acceptance, readiness and importantly how that manifests over time. The end product is a report each quarter which shares actionable trends and insights for you and your business.
Spontaneity is on the rise when eating out, consumers seem to be planning less and eating out when they don't want to cook. Those turning to a meat-based diet are doing so because they believe it is 'cheaper', 'less processed' and offer 'higher protein'; they are seeing less value in reducing their meat intake. When it comes to ultra-processed foods, it is clear consumers are looking to avoid them however, they don't know how or what to look for on pack. Seasonal ingredients are top of mind for consumers this summer with this trend heightening with a focus on local and homegrown produce too. Finally, new cuisines are beginning to emerge from Asia and beyond as European cuisines continue to evolve to stay relevant.
Detailed below are the 5 key insights from the 2024 Q2 report:
1. Spontaneity when eating out casually whilst planned occasion-based dining declines
Consumers' confidence has declined further since the beginning of the year with data being collected prior to the general election.
2. Cheaper, less processed, higher protein: meat-based diets are on the incline
Consumers are eating more meat when on the go compared with Q2 2021. 50/50 diets are declining with most switching to meat-based.
3. People want to avoid ultra-processed foods but don't know how…
People are still unclear as to what is classed as an ultra-processed food, stating it is difficult for them to avoid ultra-processed foods in their day-to-day diets.
4. Seasonal ingredients are top of mind
Local and seasonal products are increasing in importance, and we are expecting it to continue on this trajectory.
5. New cuisines emerge from Asia and beyond whilst European cuisines continue to evolve
We're seeing a number of cuisines evolving, particularly European, cuisines such as Greek and Spanish, with lesser-known Asian cuisines such as Modern Korean and Vietnamese beginning to emerge.
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