At IRCA Group we have kept an eye on the emerging trends all across the globe with the mission to empower professionals, both in the Gourmet and Industrial sectors, with the essential tools to navigate the challenges of the upcoming year, helping them to recognise the rise of new consumers' consumption patterns and purchase behaviours.
Join us for an insightful exploration into the Food Trends of 2024, immersing yourself in a journey through the intricacies and innovations that will shape the near-future culinary landscape.
Snacks, positioned midway between individual portions and finger foods, have become a favored choice for consumers on the move.
These indulgent treats, including items like pralines, ice cream bites, donuts and bars, come in conveniently portioned, easy-to-consume packaging.
What sets them apart is the match between bold and innovative combinations of flavors, and textures that engage all the senses.
As we look ahead to 2024, it is anticipated that flavors such as Caramel, fruit, and savory combinations, as well as the presence of small inclusions will emerge as the favorites among consumers, reflecting a shift in preferences towards diverse taste profiles and multisensory product experiences.
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In a world that seems increasingly fragmented, where individuality and self expression are essential, individuals are showing more and more a parallel need of feeling part of something bigger than themselves.
This reflects in reconnecting with their origins, the familiar place they belong to, also through food.
For this reason consumers are now looking for the comfort and the authenticity of those traditional foods able to evoke flavours and emotional connections with their childhood.
Recognizing this innate desire, brands and chefs all over the globe are embracing a culinary revival, seamlessly blending nostalgic tastes with a fun and playful twist.
Customers are increasingly looking for ingredients and products that resonate with their commitment to healthy lifestyles and exercise routines.
They seek ingredients and products that not only taste good, but that are also able to provide functional benefits for performance enhancement, while boosting their energy levels.
For this reason plant-based, sugar reduced and value-added ingredients products are making their way in the market manifesting in various forms and sizes.
Just the past three years alone have witnessed the successful introduction of thousands of products championing these health-centric claims into the food market, across all categories: pastry, ice cream, confectionary and bakery.
GenZ consumers are constantly on the lookout for new and unconventional product experiences. This young and dynamic demographic states that brands that regularly release specialties are more appealing than others.
Special edition products are the perfect means to bring excitement into the consumer journey, providing new consumption experiences and additional opportunities for new interactions with the brand itself.
Such products create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, while fostering a sense of belonging and excitement among the select group of consumers who have access to these one-of-a-kind products.
One way to create excitement and innovation to your product? Dobla chocolate decorations.
The rising economic uncertainty made consumers gravitate towards more affordable products, drifting away from non-essential items.
Nevertheless, people are still willing to spend on small and affordable items as a means of a self-treat. This is the so called lipstick effect.
In this context, pastry products such as mignon and single portions have emerged as an enticing affordable luxury, able to provide a moment of pure and guilt-free pleasure - also in their plant based variants.
Chefs have embraced this trend by crafting intricate and visually stimulating creations that not only satisfy the palate but also provide a complete sensory experience, indulging both the senses of taste and sight.
Notes
1. Mintel 2024, A year of innovation in cake pastryes and sweet goods
2. Mintel 2024, A year of innovation in bread and bread products
3. Foresight Factory 2024
4. Global Data, Consumer Survay Snapshots: Attitudes and Behavior in Europe
5. Statista
