Food and Beverage Trends in 2023

It’s 2023, and many Food and Drink manufacturers are approaching the current market from a new perspective. However, to catch up with consumers, companies should be aware of the latest trends in the industry to spend their money on new product development (NPD) that actually matters. So, let’s check what awaits you this year!

3 main trends in the Food and Beverage industry in 2023:

1. Sustainability
2. Consumer behaviour
3. Innovation and Tech

Although some of these might not make sense, and others will look like a topic everyone has been discussing for the last 5 years, let’s see what exactly we mean by each of these trends and how leading companies in the Food and Beverage sector already tackle them.

Sustainability

Food and Drink Manufacturing Trends 2023

One of the major trends in the Food and Beverage industry in 2023 is Sustainability. Especially when consumers appreciate the green approach and want to improve their daily footprint.

Veganuary is a great example of a modern approach towards a greener future. At the start of the year, people sign up on the platform to change their food choices and try a more sustainable lifestyle for at least 1 month. The charity revealed that 629,000 participants joined the challenge in 2022, and they have a record number of people this year!

“Veganuary has only started, but we already smashed all the records with one new participant signing up every 2 seconds.”

Therefore, plant-based food and beverage products will continue to rise in 2023 with a growing demand for vegan and vegetarian alternatives. Many companies have started introducing new plant-based products and reformulating existing products to meet this trend.

On top of it, consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their food and beverage choices and are looking for more sustainable packaging solutions. In 2023, expect to see more companies using recyclable and compostable packaging as well as packaging made from recycled materials.

For example, PepsiCo has a goal of going 100% recyclable, compostable and biodegradable by 2025.

And Heinz, in partnership with Tesco, introduced recycled plastic packaging for baked beans in the summer of 2022. Both companies teamed up to bring recyclable Snap Pots to supermarket shelves made from recycled soft plastics collected through Tesco’s in-store collection scheme. The move reintroduced 22 metric tons of plastic back into the UK’s circular economy.

For more information on this trend, check our blog post where we shared the latest green trends and how Food and Beverage companies such as Valeo Group and Dawn Meats tackle the change – Sustainability trends in Food and Beverage industry.

Consumer behaviour

Food and Drink Manufacturing Trends 2023

To be successful on the market this year, a clear understanding of your consumers is an essential aspect of the Food and Beverage industry.

In our research, we found that 35% of Food and Beverage companies believe Consumer Behaviour is another major trend to look after in 2023. Let’s see why.

Following the Sustainability trend, consumers will increasingly demand healthy, fresh, and sustainable food options from Food and Beverage companies this year. Consumers will be more likely to buy from companies that can demonstrate a commitment to reducing their environmental footprint and providing healthy food options.

It means as a Food and Beverage manufacturer, you will have to increase innovation and NPDs in this area to truly hit the mark with consumers.

Moreover, customers will want more personalised experiences. They will expect digital platforms to provide tailored recommendations and loyalty programs that offer personalised rewards.

We have talked about personilised approach in our previous articles, so check how Starbucks, McDonald’s and Walmart tackle this trend – Successful Consumer Retention Stories!

Innovation

Food and Drink Manufacturing Trends 2023

The final big trend in the Food and Beverage industry in 2023 is innovation. From sustainable choices on the market to personalised experiences, it’ll be impossible to carry on without modern technologies.

First of all, customers will expect faster delivery options. Digital platforms will become more popular as customers demand faster delivery of their food and beverage orders. Companies will need to invest in digital solutions that provide efficient and timely delivery to meet customer expectations.

For instance, at Allsop, we provide an easy-to-use tool to check the latest information on the order and track its delivery on the map – Delivery Feature for Food and Beverage companies.

Next is subscription services. Online food and beverage subscription services will continue to rise in 2023, providing consumers with more convenient access to food and drinks. Expect to see more companies offering subscription-based services, allowing customers to customise their orders and have food and drinks delivered right to their door.

And the last aspect of innovation for you to consider is Business Intelligence (BI). With this technology, you can forecast your products in demand, develop sustainable energy management and improve overall employee retention.

Conclusion

2023 is going to be a year of innovation to tackle evolving consumer behaviour.

Especially when 26% of Food and Beverage companies believe technology is one of the most important aspects they need to focus on this year.

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