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The Two Biggest Trends That Will Shape The Food and Beverage Industry in 2023

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In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, the food and beverage industry has experienced some dramatic changes. Attitudes and habits formed in 2020 are still shaping the way consumers interact with food and beverage brands today. In 2023, food producers and manufacturers will face the continued challenges created by inflation and the cost of commodities coupled with a cost-of-living crunch impacting consumer behavior. However, a recent survey of food and beverage industry executives suggests a positive outlook ahead from 69% of respondents. With this in mind, we look at how the two biggest trends will impact the industry in 2023.

1. Sustainability Still Runs Supreme

Climate-friendly diets are still at the forefront of trends, and with extreme weather felt globally in 2022, consumers are experiencing first-hand the impact of climate change. Championing sustainable sourcing while keeping costs down is a key challenge for food and drink manufacturers as more and more brands take up the role of climate change ambassadors. The top focus areas for sustainability are:

Sustainable Beer - Brewing beer is resource intense. Optimizing consumptions is important with respect to raw materials like water and cereals but also with respect to different forms of energy. According to a 2020 Euromonitor Lifestyles Survey, more than a quarter of those surveyed said they boycott brands that do not align with their ethical values. This means communicating sustainability strategies is starting to play an increasingly important role in a business’s success. Beer-makers committed to forging a sustainable future are looking at filtration technologies to improve overall process efficiency and reduce waste and water consumption. For example, using a Diatomaceous Earth (DE) free filtration alternative for beer clarification helps to stop high levels of waste, while using cold membrane to replace thermal pasteurization can significantly reduce energy and water consumption. You can learn more about our solutions for these in our beer sustainability blog here.

Lab to Fork – Alternative proteins saw a distinct market growth in 2022. Precision fermentation – modifying organisms like yeasts that then produce protein once fermented – is an emerging market to watch. 2023 will see further growth of cultivated meat as technological advancements allow the adoption of animal cells to create meat products without the requirement for animal slaughter. Meat reduction has sustainability benefits by slowing climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions, a percentage of which comes from animal agriculture. In November 2022, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted UPSIDE Foods pre-market approval for one cultivated meat product, marking a crucial step towards commercialization and opening doors in other markets. The Cultured Meat 2023-2043 report predicts that the global cultured meat market will be worth $2.1 billion by 2033 and $13.7 billion by 2043.

2. Healthy Horizons

Despite a cost-of-living crunch felt across the globe, consumers will still want to find ways to continue healthy habits. Improving health post-pandemic persists as consumers take more interest in well-balanced diets and healthier choices. Within this arena, the biggest impact will be with the following:

Plant Power – Plant-based diets are finally mainstream. No longer considered a fad, plant-based diets are here to stay as the industry gets more creative with products. A plant-based diet has many benefits that appeal to consumers who hunt for healthy living. From supporting functioning immune systems, and maintaining a healthy weight, the vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants in plants can help reduce the risk of disease and illness. The report Plant-Based Foods Poised for Explosive Growth anticipates that this market could make up to 7.7% of the global protein market by 2030, with a value of over $162 billion. The continuing expansion of options available to consumers has helped continue its growth, making it a long-term option worldwide. Learn more about plant protein purification here.

Mindful & Moderate Beverage Choices – Mindful consumption of alcoholic beverages will continue into 2023. As well as the demand for calorie-reduced beverages, mental health plays a big part in why low and non-alcoholic beverages are increasing in popularity. CBD drinks will continue to grow in popularity due to their proclaimed health benefits for mood, cognition, and physical health.

The market value of low to no beer, cider wine and spirit products surpassed $11 billion in 2022 with consumption expected to rise to a third by 2026. Germany, Japan, Spain the US and the UK as the leading markets going into 2023.

Learn more about our non-alcoholic drink filtration solutions here. Or to find out more about our filtration solutions for cannabis oil, visit here

The one constant among these trends is consumer demand for high-quality products that deliver elevated flavors. If you’d like to discuss how our filtration solutions can support these trends and beyond, please contact us.