Market Trends

Consumers did not show liking towards faba beans in any of the forms in which they were presented. Image Source: Getty Images/Ulrike Leone

What are consumer attitudes to faba beans?

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Faba beans are a useful ingredient across a range of foods, although sensory challenges can harm their uptake. A new study explores consumers’ attitudes to faba beans in different forms.

The price of butter keeps creeping up, why? GettyImages/Synergee

The price of butter keeps creeping up, why?

By Donna Eastlake

The price of butter has risen steadily in recent years, with a 18.5% year-on-year increase recorded in the EU wholesale market between 2023 and 2024. But why is this happening? And is it a permanent trend?

Should vanilla production be stopped? GettyImages/Diana Miller

Should vanilla production be stopped?

By Donna Eastlake

Vanilla is one of the most common flavours for sweet treats around the world. But is the farming of this much-loved spice sustainable? And, if not, should we be consuming it at all?

Image source: Getty Images/Justin Paget

NPD Trend Tracker: From coffee leaf kombucha to mental health crisps

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we have a number of new drinks, including probiotic soda, premium mezcal and coffee leaf kombucha. On the food side of things, we have new menus for Subway and Foodhak, as well as crisps design to raise awareness...

A farmer delivers cocoa beans to a processing facility in the Dominican Republic. Pic: CN

Special report

Global cocoa shortage puts pressure on suppliers and manufacturers

By Anthony Myers

While there is no indication the world is not about to run out of chocolate any day soon, there are concerns from manufacturers and suppliers that the current high prices and shortage of cocoa beans will push up costs further and, in some cases, restrict...

Why are consumers turning away from dairy? GettyImages/Tony C French

Why are consumers turning away from dairy?

By Donna Eastlake

The consumption of dairy products such as milk, butter and cheese is on the decline. But what’s the reason for this and can the dairy industry turn this trend around?

Increasing consumer engagement through social media. GettyImages/Urupong

Increasing consumer engagement through social media

By Donna Eastlake

Whether you’re a start-up or a long-established brand, continued consumer awareness and interest is fundamental to achieving success in the global marketplace. So how can you use social media to do this?

How is the food industry tackling salt reduction? GettyImages/AJ Paulsen

How is the food industry tackling salt reduction?

By Donna Eastlake

High levels of salt in food is becoming an increasing concern for healthcare professionals and consumers as the dangers of a high-salt diet becomes more widely understood. So how is the food industry tackling this issue?

Cocoa beans are in short supply. Pic: CN

Commodities

Future of cocoa under threat as prices skyrocket due to bean shortages

By Anthony Myers

UPDATE: TUESDAY 26 MARCH 2024: Cocoa prices continued to rise this week. Earlier today the price of cocoa beans smashed through the $10,000 a ton for the first time in the futures market after posting gains all week - with chocolate makers passing on...

NPD Trend Tracker: From Easter-egg ice cream to dairy-free chocolate eggs

NPD Trend Tracker: From Easter-egg ice cream to dairy-free chocolate eggs

By Donna Eastlake

We’re getting ready for Easter in this week’s new-product roundup. There’s everything from egg-cellent (not sorry!) mini-egg ice cream to egg-citing (still not sorry!) dairy-free chocolate eggs. There’s also a range of drinks from energy-sparking mixers...

How is the food industry supporting childhood nutrition? GettyImages/Image Source

How is the food industry supporting childhood nutrition?

By Donna Eastlake

From infancy through to adolescence, nutrition is essential in ensuring a healthy body and mind for our youngsters. So how can this be achieved and what it the food industry doing to help parents?

GettyImages/etorres69

NPD Trend Tracker: From real meat to plant-based alternatives

By Flora Southey

In our latest new product development round-up, we’re homing in on animal-based products and their plant-based alternatives. These include pork snacks and mini fish fillets, as well as fermented plant-based steaks and barista oat milk. We’ve also included...

Can beverage brands succeed in going label-free?

Can beverage brands succeed without labels?

By Rachel Arthur

Coca-Cola is removing labels from Sprite bottles in a UK trial in a bid to improve sustainability: presenting a bare bottle on shelves. Will other brands follow suit – or will branding and marketing teams decide the move is simply too risky?

Gut-health: Why this consumer trend is here to stay. GettyImages/Meeko Media

Gut health: Why this consumer trend is here to stay

By Donna Eastlake

Consumer appetite for gut-health friendly foods shows no signs of abating as understanding of its impact on overall health continues to grow. But how will this trend evolve and grow in the future?

Food & drinks trends: Are influencers setting the agenda? GettyImages/Marco_Piunti

Food & drinks trends: Are influencers setting the agenda?

By Donna Eastlake

Influencers are a twenty-first century force of nature, courting brands and attracting thousands, if not millions, of adoring fans who buy their merchandise, copy their look and hang off their every word. So do influencers have the power to change or...

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars