What’s next for chocolate? Key trends shaping a $184bn market
Chocolate is changing fast - premium indulgence, health-driven treats, and even cocoa-free innovations are rewriting the rulebook
Market trends
Cow-free dairy sells out in Israel but protein bottlenecks remain
“Everything we put on the market has sold,” Strauss Group CEO says but warns protein availability is still ‘limited’
Cocoa at risk: How the chocolate industry can futureproof supply
Climate shocks, farmer shortages, and price volatility threaten chocolate’s future, but innovation and sustainability offer a solution
Functional non-alcoholic drinks: Innovation, opportunity and growth
As alcohol consumption declines and wellness trends surge, functional non-alcoholic drinks present a lucrative opportunity
Top 5 F&B ingredients trends driving market growth towards $560bn
The global food and beverage ingredients market is booming. But what are the trends powering industry growth?
Nestlé builds cocoa ‘Noah’s Ark’ to futureproof chocolate
Nestlé is exploring cutting-edge genomics and sustainable sourcing to safeguard cocoa supplies
UPFs surge unevenly across global markets - where’s next?
Ultra-processed diets aren’t equally dominant worldwide - but in some countries, they’re rising fast
Has the cocoa crisis changed chocolate forever?
The cocoa crisis is forcing chocolate manufacturers to rethink everything - from sourcing and compliance to innovation and consumer trust
Consumers are confused by plant-based meat – but not by names
Meat-related terminology makes little difference to how confused consumers are with meat alternatives
As plant-based falters, hybrid dairy techs up
If flexitarians aren’t ready to give up meat and dairy, why not boost hybrid offerings with smarter tech?
Top 5 F&B retail trends for 2026
Discover the five trends that will define 2026, and why agility, authenticity, and technology will determine who succeeds and who fails
Ultra-processed foods: 5 biggest implications from Lancet study
The landmark study series is the biggest blow yet to UPFs
Big Food Big Moves: Who’s next in the big CPG shake-up
Nestlé, Ferrero, Mars, Unilever and Kraft Heinz are reshaping the food and beverage landscape with bold M&A moves. But what’s next?
Patents plummet in alt proteins: Has innovation ground to a halt?
Alternative proteins have lost a lot of popularity in recent years, and this is reflected in IP activity
5 trends powering sustainable ingredient innovation
As sustainable ingredients gain traction, we explore the trends driving their development
Cocoa challenges for beverage makers
Beverage makers reliant on cocoa are in the middle of a perfect storm. Cocoa is more expensive, less reliably available and riskier to source long-term
Cocoa-free chocolate: Key consumer insights for manufacturers
Cocoa-free chocolate is reshaping the confectionery landscape. But will consumers buy in?
Top food colour trends of 2026
Consumer desire for calm, wellness and vitality will affect colour trends in the coming year
Is mycoprotein too weird to win over consumers?
Despite its sustainability and health credentials, mycoprotein is losing ground. Is this an image problem - or something else entirely?
Why premium confectionery is the sweet spot for growth
Premiumisation is driving double-digit growth in confectionery - what does this mean for manufacturers?
Longevity and weight loss drive food and beverage innovation
Longevity and weight loss are redefining consumer priorities - creating major opportunities for food and beverage
Healthy beverages
What’s the buzz around instant coffee?
Gen Z and Millennials are embracing the low-cost counterpart to ground and whole bean
5 ways algae could transform the future of food and drink
Consumers are warming to algae. Are we onto the next big thing in sustainable food and drink?
Breaking down the ‘rapid hydration’ trend
A swathe of new products are emerging that promise to ‘rapidly hydrate’ consumers. But what does the term actually mean?
Is the global cocoa crisis driving up demand for alt-ingredients?
As global cocoa supplies remain volatile, beset by climate change, geopolitical volatility and disease, can alternative ingredients deliver the same chocolate experience?
No- and low-alcohol trends: Big growth, bold innovation, new markets
The low- and no-alcohol sector is booming, and it’s not just about cutting back - it’s changing how the world celebrates
Functional food craze: What are the next breakout ingredients?
After a year of protein and fibre dominance, what’s the next big thing?
Clean label plant-based meat: How to achieve the winning combo
As concerns around ultra-processed food create distrust in plant-based meat, the sector must pay close attention to the ingredients it uses
Gluten-free gets festive: Why Christmas is the category’s biggest opportunity yet
Manufacturers and retailers are rethinking gluten-free as festive sales soar
Nestlé R&D head on how the world’s biggest CPG innovates
Inside Nestlé: Rania Abou Samra on crafting the future of food and beverage
Protein and fibre ‘maxxing’ trend over? How consumers will diversify their diets
Consumers will begin to put greater emphasis on dietary diversity
World’s biggest chocolate supplier makes move away from cocoa
Barry Callebaut explores cocoa alternatives amid rising costs and climate pressure
Top food tech trends for 2026
When sustainability wanes, other food tech comes to the fore
Top 5 functional F&B ingredients trends for 2026
From gut-friendly gummies to protein-packed snacks, functional ingredients are transforming everyday food and drink into wellness powerhouses
Barry Callebaut revenue up 49% despite rapid sales decline
Barry Callebaut’s full-year earnings reveal a sharp drop in volumes but a surge in revenue. What does this mean for the chocolate industry and its customers?
Trendspotting 2026
Crunch, cream, contrast: Texture takes the spotlight in 2026
Forget flavor fatigue – next year will be all about how snacks feel. From crisp layers to creamy centers, texture is fast becoming the biggest lever of indulgence and loyalty
Sugar prices to 5-year low: When will they rise again?
The price of sugar will not stay low forever
Top 5 Christmas confectionery trends 2025
Holidays are coming! Discover the confectionery trends driving festive sales in 2025
Mondelēz’s travel retail playbook: A blueprint for sweets and snacks success
Travel retail is no longer just about luxury - confectionery is taking off. Discover how Mondelēz is turning airports into brand-building playgrounds
Hershey Q3 earnings: Sales rise but profits plunge amid cost pressures
The confectionery giant beat expectations in Q3, but soaring costs and shrinking profits reveal deeper industry troubles
Transparency demanded as trust in food system declines
Consumers want specific kinds of information about their food
The four pillars of gut health - and how they’re shaping F&B innovation
From probiotics to sleep-supporting snacks, discover how the four pillars of gut health are reshaping food and beverage innovation
EU ‘meaty’ names ban: What now?
As the plant-based industry pushes back against the ban, how likely is it to be implemented?
5 functional beauty drinks driving innovation
The trend for functional beauty drinks doesn’t seem to be waning anytime soon. Take a look at five of the latest innovations in this space.
Consumers want to know how food tech works: a challenge for industry
When it comes to cell cultivation and precision fermentation, consumers want more clarity. But what kind of information is best shared? And how?
Nestlé, Mars, Unilever, Ferrero & Kraft Heinz: The big CPG shake-up continues
From Nestlé’s mass layoffs to Kraft Heinz mega demerger, global CPGs are making bold moves to survive shifting consumer demands and financial pressure
Majority of consumers think supplements can extend healthspan, what’s holding them back?
There is a clear appetite for longevity supporting solutions from consumers across the globe, but uptake of supplements is yet to make pace with awareness, so what is holding back potential shoppers?
NAD⁺: The longevity molecule transforming functional food and drink
NAD⁺ is emerging as a key ingredient in the longevity space. Discover the science, product potential, and formulation challenges shaping this fast-growing category
Mondelēz trials paper packaging for Cadbury Heroes campaign
Cadbury Heroes gets a sustainable makeover as Mondelēz trials paper tubs
Cocoa crisis: How politics and harvests could impact the sector
Events on the ground in producing countries will have significant effects on prices