Sustainability Trends in the Food and Beverage industry in 2023

Sustainability Trends in the Food and Beverage industry in 2023.

Sustainability is becoming a critical focus for businesses in the upcoming years, hence it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve and be aware of the latest trends in the industry. In fact, according to our research where we studied 300 companies, 66% of Food and Beverage businesses believe sustainability is essential in 2023.
Not prioritising sustainability = endangering long-term results. – Food & Beverage Consultant.   … in my view, sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing the Food and Drinks industry in the coming years. – Senior Carbon Advisor.
To help you align with this “Green” direction, we’ve identified 3 main Sustainability trends in the Food and Beverage industry for 2023 that your business can implement. 1. Make Your Produce Transparent 2. Have a Visibility of Food Waste 3. Adopt Automation and Digitalisation By utilising these trends in your company, you can stay competitive and lead the market. So, let’s take a closer look at each topic, and how exactly you can implement it.

Make Your Produce Transparent.

Sustainability Trends in the Food and Beverage industry in 2023.

One of the most significant trends in the food industry today is the increasing demand for transparency. Consumers are more interested in the origin, composition, and environmental impact of the food they eat. In fact, 63% of consumers believe that choosing one’s food is a civic act that equates to choosing the world in which we wish to live. The trend towards transparency is only expected to continue, as climate change continues to be a pressing concern, and consumers will increasingly demand detailed information about the food they buy from food manufacturers. To align with this trend, food manufacturers must take steps to make their products more transparent. So, let’s how to do so: One way to do this is to provide clear and concise information about the products. For example, simplifying and clarifying food labels can help to make them easier to understand. Food manufacturers can also consider being more open and transparent in their branding and packaging by providing information about their products’ sustainability, including details about recycled or repurposed materials and plant-based plastics. For example, products made from recycled or repurposed materials are more valuable than single-use items. Plant-based plastics are also becoming more popular because they break down faster than petroleum-based materials. Therefore, by incorporating these materials into their products, food manufacturers can appeal to consumers’ growing concerns about sustainability and transparency. In conclusion, food manufacturers must take steps to make their products more transparent to meet the growing demand for transparency. Simplifying and clarifying food labels can help to make them more accessible while being more open and transparent in branding and packaging can provide valuable information about their products’ sustainability.

Have a Visibility of Food Waste.

Sustainability Trends in the Food and Beverage industry in 2023.

Another trend that Food and Beverage companies should follow is having visibility of Food waste. This means keeping track of how much food is being wasted and where it is coming from. Did you know that the UK wastes more than 10 million tonnes of food each year? And 20% of that number, which is about £1.4 billion worth, comes from food manufacturing. This means that there is a lot of room for improvement in reducing food waste in this industry. So, how can you reduce food waste with no additional costs? One way to reduce food waste without incurring additional costs is to consider purchasing suppliers’ unwanted produce for use in your food manufacturing. This way, produce that would otherwise go to waste can be put to good use. Additionally, consider discounting “ugly veg” instead of throwing it away. Asda found that 75% of customers would buy oddly shaped foods if they cost less, so some stores started to discount “ugly veg” instead of wasting them. Another way to reduce food waste is to ensure that food is being used before its expiration date. This can be done by regularly checking inventory and rotating stock to ensure that older items are used first. Additionally, consider donating excess food to food banks or other organisations in need. This not only reduces waste but also helps those in need. By taking these steps, Food and Beverage companies can not only reduce food waste but also save money and improve their reputation as socially responsible companies.

Adopt Automation and Digitalisation.

Sustainability Trends in the Food and Beverage industry in 2023.

As we move forward, we can see that consumer behaviour is constantly evolving. In the coming years, consumers will focus on prioritising local food (48%), paying attention to ingredients (37%) and respecting the environment (36%). However, these trends may not be immediately apparent without the help of digitalisation. Therefore, it may be the perfect time to invest in technology to improve the sustainability of your processes, stay ahead of consumer trends, and reduce costs. Let’s check several other ways to utilise automation in Food and Beverage in 2023: Firstly, by using the latest data insights, you can produce only those items that are in demand by your customers. This ensures that you are efficiently utilising your resources and reducing the amount of waste produced. Secondly, digitalisation can assist in protecting perishable goods. By implementing external data sources such as temperature sensors in chilled vehicles, you can monitor the quality of your products and ensure that they remain fresh for longer periods of time. This, in turn, can help to reduce the amount of waste produced, which is a key concern in today’s society. Lastly, with the help of analytic tools, you can model all ‘what-if’ scenarios and create a mitigation plan. This allows you to assess the possible impact of different scenarios and make data-oriented plans accordingly. This is particularly useful when the latest software collects various data and takes into account many different factors, such as weather or potential transport risks. In conclusion, by adopting automation and digitalisation in the Food and Beverage industry, you can not only stay ahead of the curve in terms of consumer trends but also improve the sustainability of your processes and reduce costs.

Conclusion.

Today, companies are striving for sustainable growth and cost efficiency, aiming to “do more with less”.
As a result, sustainability trends in the food and beverage industry in 2023 will require fundamental changes for some and minor tweaks for others. However, only 10% of companies responded that sustainability is not essential for their business, highlighting the importance of this trend. Despite common belief, sustainability does not have to be expensive, and smaller companies can keep up with larger competitors. With a variety of software solutions available, you can find the best fit for your company to measure your processes and minimise food waste. Check our solutions, or subscribe to our bi-weekly Newsletter to learn more!

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