Explore key generational differences within the global food and beverage industry
The food and beverage industry is constantly evolving, driven by a complex interplay of factors like technology, sustainability, and individual preferences. But one of the most significant influences on consumer behaviour is generational splits. From financial concerns to health priorities, and the growing importance of sustainability, here Innova Market Insights unveil the key drivers behind each generation’s place in the market. It will also explore how these differences translate into specific product preferences, and overall consumption patterns.
Generational profiles
Generation Z trends research indicates that the generation is characterized by their low household disposable income, lack of work experience, and single status. They are in the exploration stage of their careers, highly invested in physical exercise, and prioritise skin health and energy stamina. While they are socially active and enjoy mingling in various locations, digital platforms are essential for their connection and entertainment.
Millennials have more disposable income due to increased expertise and authority at work and are often living with two people’s paychecks. They prioritise exercise and healthy food choices, focusing on heart health and stamina. Similar to Gen Z, they are concerned about stress and anxiety, and prefer socialising at home. However, they are more experienced with technology than Gen Z.
Generation X are characterised by their high income, with many reaching career plateaus. They are physically active and emphasise bone and joint health for healthy aging. Their satisfaction levels are similar to Millennials, with anxiety being a shared concern. They prefer socialising at home and are experienced with technology.
Boomers have a medium income and are often retired with steady income sources like pensions. They prioritise food and are the most concerned about aging. Memory and agility are key concerns, and they prefer socializing at home. While they are digitally acquainted, they are less reliant on technology than younger generations.
Megatrends and generation trends
Key shifts in consumer behaviour across generations are partly driven by global megatrends, including factors like inflation, health concerns, and sustainability.
While inflation and financial constraints are top of mind for all generations, younger consumers (Gen Z and Millennials) exhibit a more optimistic outlook. Generation Z trends research shows 27 % of Gen Z say that they invest into foods, beverages, and experiences that uplift their mood, while older generations (Gen X and Boomers) are more likely to cut back on expenses and prioritise saving.
Across all generations, there’s a strong emphasis on healthy living, with nutritious diets and physical exercise being key priorities. Eating healthily is the number one eating-related value for all generations, chosen by 43 % of consumers, even over affordability. Gen Z is particularly focused on mental health, with stress and anxiety being major concerns. Millennials prioritise energy and stamina, while Gen X focuses on heart health. Boomers, on the other hand, are most concerned with memory and agility, reflecting their age-related concerns.
Sustainability is a growing concern for all generations, with different generations demonstrating more attentiveness to specific types of environmental consciousness. Younger generations are more likely to choose products with low environmental impact, and support brands that advocate for social causes. However, older generations are more prone to minimise their food waste, avoid overconsumption, and prioritise choosing local, seasonal produce.
Health and wellbeing across generations
Generation Z trends research indicates the generation prioritises mental health, with stress and anxiety being their top concerns. They are also highly invested in physical activity and prioritise energy and stamina. Skin health is another significant concern for this generation, reflecting their focus on appearance and self-esteem.
Millennials share similar concerns with Generation Z regarding stress and anxiety, but also place a strong emphasis on heart health and overall stamina. They are motivated to manage their weight for reasons such as enhancing self-esteem and physical appeal, as well as preventing chronic conditions.
Generation X is more satisfied with their mental health compared to younger generations, but they are more concerned about sleep and insomnia. They are also physically active and prioritise bone and joint health, reflecting their focus on healthy aging.
Boomers are the most satisfied with their mental health, but they are concerned about memory and mental agility. They are also highly focused on healthy aging, prioritising bone and joint health, and are motivated to maintain their physical and mental well-being.
Pleasure and enjoyment between generations
Two in five consumers consider freshness as the most important element in enjoying food and beverage products. While this preference is shared across generations, there are some key differences in many other indicators of enjoyment. For instance, seniors prioritise nutrition and realness, while younger generations favour taste discovery and sweetness. Multiple products can be noticed catering to these interests, advertising nutritional, fresh elements, as well as rich, novel flavours.
What’s next in Generation Z trends and beyond?
The distinct generational differences identified through Innova’s consumer trend research can unlock brand opportunities for the future. Gen Z and Millennials are especially concerned with their mental and emotional health. Generation Z trend research shows that the generation tends to invest in food and beverage that uplifts their mood or alleviates boredom. Brands can leverage this through developing products that offer nutrients for mood improvement or exciting sensory experiences to alleviate boredom. Gen Z and Millennials are also keenly aware of their skin health, as it is their top physical concern. Appearance matters to these younger generations, and brands can develop products that tap into these attitudes through promoting skin health related claims on their packaging.
For older generations, their health focus falls on preventing or managing chronic conditions. Functional ingredients in products can help incentivise these consumers in their choices, allowing them to improve their overall health through their diet. Honesty and transparency are also important eating values for seniors, emphasising nutrition and realness as drivers of enjoyment and pleasure in food. Natural and nutritious products will likely continue to be enticing to this demographic.
Plenish, the fastest growing shots brand in the UK1, has launched its biggest campaign to date across its shots portfolio. The social and PR led activation will see boosted posts across Instagram and TikTok channels, with Sunday Times best-selling author and qualified nutritionist Emily English advocating for the brand. This campaign will help keep Plenish front of mind with existing shoppers, and targeting new audiences, supporting retailers to drive sales within the health shots category while brand awareness is at an all-time high.
It comes well timed as the brand has conducted nationwide research in a poll of over 2,000 adults and 1,000 school children (aged 6-16) to reveal the significant nutritional knowledge gap between adults and their kids. The research revealed one in five (20 %) British school children were able to correctly identify that there are 13 essential vitamins, compared with only 5 % of adults. In fact, 38 % of children know the body can naturally produce Vitamin D, compared with only 31 % of adults. Only 12 % of adults believe they consume their essential vitamins daily, with 22 % not knowing a good source of vitamins, and 13 % believing too much meal preparation is required.
The Plenish range is designed to help people drink their way to wellness through potent superfoods, the products are easily accessible to health-conscious consumers making it the perfect product for adults and kids to get their daily vitamin intake. The range is packed with cold-pressed, plant-based ingredients to meet a range of functional benefits, containing no added sugar, preservatives or flavourings while also delivering on great taste. In fact, Plenish now makes up 19 % of the UK’s Juice Shots category MAT, currently valued at £5.71m2, so it’s in the ideal position to help retailers cater to shopper demand and to continue to grow the category.
Russell Goldman, Managing Director at Plenish, comments “The research revealed some shocking results on nutritional and vitamin knowledge in adults versus children. The purpose of our campaign is to highlight this gap and drive awareness of the importance and ease of getting the correct vitamin intake and consumption of fruit and vegetables each day, particularly via our Plenish range.
“This comes at no better time following confirmation of Ginger Immunity and Berry Gut Health going live across 1,500 Tesco Express stores within its meal deal offering. The retailer now offers the full range of Plenish shots’ flavours and benefits, supported by in-store activity to help drive sales, such as our new chilled functional bay display.”
The campaign, which began its rollout this June, has seen a London pop-up on Portobello Road – Little Shot Shop – staffed exclusively by kids, it featured a market stall owner, reporter and nutritionist. The stand sampled Plenish Turmeric Recovery, Ginger Immunity and our new Mango Sunshine shots while quizzing adults passing by on their vitamin knowledge. There is also a sponsorship of Forest Bike Rides, live now, with Tesco stores selling Plenish shots in London on their interactive map. Alongside this, there will be instore POS activity in Tesco which will be live for a whole year.
The Plenish range of juices and shots is also available at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Co-op, Ocado as well as wholesale.
1NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage GB, Britvic Defined Juice Shots Category, incl Discounters, value Sales Data, MAT to 25.05.24 2NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage GB, Britvic Defined Juice Shots Category, incl Discounters, Value Sales Data, MAT to 25.05.24
Record orange juice prices are expected to escalate orange juice production as growers increase deliveries for processing. Growers are diverting oranges from the export market and local sales towards processing on favorable prices. Good rainfall in the Spring of 2023 ensured sufficient rain for irrigation across all citrus producing regions. Production of all citrus types is expected to improve in both volumes and quality in MY 2023/24. However, the Northern production regions experienced some dry conditions during the growth period which led to smaller sized fruit, reducing the percentage of fruit that meets export specifications. Orange, grapefruit, and lemon exports for MY 2023/24 are revised downwards on smaller fruit size and diversion to local processing …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
Tate & Lyle announces that it has entered into an agreement to acquire the entire issued share capital of CP Kelco U.S.; CP Kelco China; and CP Kelco ApS together with each of their respective subsidiaries (together ‘CP Kelco’), a leading provider of pectin, speciality gums and other nature-based ingredients, from J.M. Huber Corporation for a total implied consideration of US$1.8 billion (approximately £1.4 billion)1, on a cash-free, debt-free basis (the ‘Proposed Transaction’).
Over the last six years, Tate & Lyle has been executing a major strategic transformation to become a growth-focused speciality food and beverage solutions business aligned to attractive structural and growing consumer trends for healthier, tastier and more sustainable food and drink. This transformation has included a much sharper focus on customers and key categories, increased investment in innovation and solution selling capabilities, and the significant strengthening of its Sweetening, Mouthfeel and Fortification platforms through new product development and acquisitions. This transformation was completed with the announcement on 23 May 2024 of the proposed sale of Tate & Lyle’s remaining interest in Primary Products Investments LLC (‘Primient’).
The Proposed Transaction significantly accelerates Tate & Lyle’s strategy to be a leading and differentiated speciality food and beverage solutions business, and to become the solutions partner of choice for customers. It is expected to drive stronger revenue growth and significant adjusted EBITDA margin improvement over the next few years. It is also expected to be accretive to adjusted earnings per share, including cost synergies only, in the second full financial year following completion, and strongly accretive thereafter.
1Based on GBP: USD foreign exchange rate of £1:$1.2723, as at 5pm BST on 19 June 2024.
With a joint investment of approximately EUR 29 million by Stora Enso and Tetra Pak, a new recycling line for post-consumer beverage cartons is starting operations in Poland. Stora Enso has invested approximately EUR 17 million into a new repulping line that will recover the carton fibers, and Tetra Pak along with Plastigram have invested a total of approximately EUR 12 million to build the new line. The line has the potential to triple the annual recycling capacity of beverage cartons in the country – from 25,000 to 75,000 tonnes – and provides scope to absorb the entire volume of beverage cartons sold in Poland, as well as additional volumes from neighbouring countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.
Featuring an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes, the state-of-the-art line at Stora Enso’s production unit in Ostrołęka (Poland) handles solely beverage carton material separation, detaching fibres from polymers and aluminium. The fibres are then recycled into carton board materials, effectively contributing to material circularity by turning used paper-based packaging into new paper-based packaging materials. This new paper recycling facility is complemented by Czech company Plastigram Industries, that, together with Tetra Pak, is industrialising a solution to recycle polyAl1 into new products.
“For decades, we have been working to enhance beverage carton recycling capacity, co-investing with recyclers, technology providers and suppliers in new equipment and facilities” comments Lars Holmquist, EVP Sustainability & Communications at Tetra Pak. “In 2022, Tetra Pak contributed nearly €30 million to collection and recycling projects worldwide, with plans to go further and invest up to €40 million annually over the next years. As part of the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE), we support the industry ambition to increase the collection for recycling rate of beverage cartons to 90% and the recycling rate to 70%, in the EU, by 2030. I am very pleased to see that our collaboration with Stora Enso translates into one of the largest recycling hubs for beverage cartons in Europe, contributing to this ambition. This is also an excellent example of how systemic and collective actions can help keep quality renewable materials, like paper fibres, in the loop.”
“We are very pleased to see the results of our close cooperation with Tetra Pak, who, like Stora Enso, has the development of sustainable solutions at their core. This new modern solution marks a significant addition to European recycling capacity and a concrete step forward in the circularity of consumer packaging. In addition to complementing the current scope of our production site in Poland, the recycling facility will significantly contribute towards the recycling and waste reduction goals of the EU’s proposal for a Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation,” says Hannu Kasurinen, EVP Packaging Materials at Stora Enso.
The new line is set to ramp up recycling of beverage cartons throughout Central and Eastern Europe, signaling the beverage carton industry’s willingness to support the circularity goals of the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and showcasing the pivotal role of recycling in helping the green transition of the food packaging sector. The packaging industry has already invested approximately EUR 200 million to increase the capacity for beverage carton recycling in the EU and plans to invest a further EUR 120 million by 2027.
1The non-fibre component of carton packages is known as polyAl, which designates the layers of polyolefins and aluminium being used as barrier against oxygen and humidity to protect the food content in aseptic carton packages.
Due to the presence of greening (Huanglongbing) in São Paulo and to the recent imbalance between supply and demand for oranges, both producers and processors have been looking for options to increase the planted area in regions outside the citrus belt, without the phytosanitary risks in SP. There have been reports of new plantings in Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais (out of Triângulo Mineiro) and Goiás, areas that are not typical citrus producers.
Investments are indeed not recommended depending on the region of São Paulo state, although major processing units are located there. Many areas have high incidence of greening, which hinders new plantings. According to data from Fundecitrus, 38 % of the trees in the citrus belt had symptoms of the disease in 2023, the sixth year in a row of greening increase. It is worth noting that new plants tend to be more vulnerable to the disease, increasing costs with prevention and chances of infection.
Therefore, plantings outside SP are an option. The land availability is higher, reducing costs, and there is the absence of greening and other diseases. Moreover, the industrial productivity can be higher than in SP, due to the warmer weather, which is positive for processing companies.
On the other hand, the fact that the areas are unknown for the citrus activity concerns players, since this scenario would demand adjustments in management and irrigation, which cannot be necessarily the same as those verified in SP.
Although these regions are warmer than SP (which can favor the productivity), it tends to affect the development of the trees. Additionally, costs with freight can be higher because of logistical issues.
It is worth noting that these investments in other regions are new and, therefore, they may not affect the orange supply in the short-term – it can be verified in roughly three years, when plants start producing.
Market
The supply of citrus fruits in the in natura market in São Paulo may be low in July. As for oranges, the lower availability has been verified since the middle of last year and it is also attributed to the high demand from the industry – it is worth noting that juice stocks at processing companies may finish the 2023/24 season (on June 30, 2024) at low levels.
Players surveyed by Cepea say that even producers who typically sell to the in natura market are focusing on sending the product to the industry this season, since prices are more attractive and there are some advantages compared to the in natura market.
ADM, a global leader in innovatve solutions from nature, announced that spore-forming probiotic DE111™* (Bacillus subtilis) has received official approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), a part of the Australian Department of Health. This extends DE111™’s availability into new regions**, following the recent approval from the Naonal Health Commission (NHC) in China.
“This is an important milestone for ADM, as it marks the first Bacillus subtilis strain to be approved by the TGA in Australia,” said Helen Hu, president of health & wellness APAC at ADM. “By expanding access to DE111™, we’re facilitating new innovation possibilies for our Australian customers, enabling the development of pioneering gut health-supporting products. Additionally, the continued approval of DE111™ by important government authorities demonstrates its high quality, safety and alignment with strict regulatory standards.”
Clinically documented results show that DE111™: Supports digestive health1 and helps support healthy immune function2,3. Can survive through the stomach and germinate in the small intestine4. Can support a healthy gastrointesnal (GI) tract, gut function and microbiome diversity. “DE111™ is a spore-forming probiotic, which means it can withstand harsh formulation environments that may otherwise damage conventional probiotics. This robustness is paving the way for new, convenient and enjoyable foods, beverages and dietary supplements that meet people where they are on their wellness journeys, especially as more consumers make the connection between their gut and digestive health and other aspects of well-being,” continued Hu.
In Australia, 81 % of consumers recognize a link between digestive health and overall well-being, and 76 % specifically see a connection between their digestive health and immune function5. Plus, 64 % of Australian consumers state that they have used probiotics/cultures to address digestive health concerns over the past 12 months5. Simultaneously, the Australian probiotic supplement market is anticipated to grow, with Euromonitor reporting a forecasted CAGR of 2.7 % between 2023 and 20286.
*DE111® is a trademark of Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, Inc. in the US and other countries. **Local regulations must be reviewed to confirm permissibility of ingredients for each food category. 1Labellarte, G., et al. (2019) Food and Nutrition Sciences, 10, 626-634 2Freedman, K.E., et al. (2021) Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 2453 3Townsend, J., et al. (2018) Sports, 6(3), 70 4Colom J.; et al. (2021) Front. Microbiol., 12:715863 5FMCG Gurus, Digestive Health Global Study, 2022 6Euromonitor Passport Data, Retail RSP Values, USD Millions, Fixed 2023 ex Rates, Constant 2023 Prices
The large photovoltaic system built by Sidel at their Parma plant has become fully operational, enabling the site to satisfy 40 % of its electricity needs and cut its CO2 emissions by 871 tons/year, equal to the amount absorbed by 43,500 trees. It is one of the largest corporate photovoltaic systems in Emilia-Romagna, which, thanks to its 5,000 solar panels, is able to produce 2,900 MWh of electricity, equal to the yearly consumption of more than 1,000 Parma households.
Sidel plans to invest about 5 million euros in Parma for the energy transition, accompanying the construction of the photovoltaic system with other important initiatives to help achieve the sustainability goals set for the three-year period 2022-2024 by the company, the world’s leading provider of packaging solutions for beverages, food, and personal and household care products in PET, cans, glass, and other materials.
“Our environmental commitment is at the heart of all our activities. Indeed, we make our contribution to environmental protection by innovating and developing sustainable solutions to reduce CO2 emissions,” commented Francesca Bellucci, Sustainability Director of the Sidel Group. “Our decarbonization strategy aims for a 50 % reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions – those resulting from our operations and energy consumption – by 2030. This goal has already been achieved: we reduced our emissions by 75 % in 2023 compared to 2019. The full implementation of the photovoltaic system in Parma allows us to take another important step towards achieving the goal of zero net emissions across our entire value chain by 2050.”
All Sidel’s production sites worldwide, including the Parma site, are certified according to the ISO 14001 environmental management system. With this certification, Sidel has adopted a system that enables it to achieve a continuous reduction in its global environmental footprint. By integrating sustainability principles into its operations, the company aims not only to reduce its carbon footprint, but also to improve its operational efficiency, innovation and competitiveness.
“We are particularly proud to have put the entire system into operation, providing the plant with self-generated clean energy,” commented Riccardo Rosselli, VP Global Sites & Facility Management at Sidel Group and Site Leader of the Parma site. “This is a very important step towards achieving our environmental sustainability goals for the headquarters and the plant, which are also in line with the sustainability targets that the city of Parma aims to accomplish by 2030. I would like to thank all Sidel employees who have worked hard over the past year to turn an ambitious project into reality.”
For marketing year (MY) 2023/24, Post updates fresh lemon production down to 1,700 metric tons (MT). This revision is attributed to the unexpected weather conditions with temperatures higher than usual and rains during harvest that affected original production estimates. Post also updates MY 2022/23 production to 1,850 MT, attributed to severe drought conditions than initially expected. For MY 2023/24, fresh orange production is estimated to drop to 653,000 MT. Similarly, fresh tangerine production is expected to decrease to 280,000 MT. Due to the increase in production, lemon exports are expected to rise to 220,000 MT. Sweet citrus exports are also expected to rise from the last official estimates, with fresh orange exports forecast at 35,000 MT and tangerine exports forecast at 24,000 MT …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
In this publication confructa medien GmbH present beverage innovations from all over the world with specifications like ingredients, company, country, claims, packaging and launch price. What has hit the shelves in the international beverage sector? Which companies and products are the main driving forces in the market? Which trends have become apparent?
The international (non-alcoholic) beverage product review WORLD OF FRUITS 2024 has been published and is available for free download!
As the industry shifts its focus to the new crop, growing conditions for the next apple season in Poland were initially favourable, with fruit maturation occurring three weeks earlier than usual. However, a cold snap between April 2020-2023 significantly affected the orchards. This freeze occurred while the apple trees were still in bloom, and despite strong flowering, the frost caused damage across all apple varieties.
Following the freeze event in April, Poland experienced a second cold wave in May, accompanied by hailstorms in the latter half of the month. While it is difficult to assess the full extent of the damage, market players estimate the crop yield will be no more than 3 million tonnes, significantly lower than the anticipated 5 million tonnes. Consequently, apple juice concentrate production is expected to be around 200,000 MT for 2024/25 MY, down from 2023/24 MY which was 265,000 MT.
The apple crop in Turkey in the 2024/25 MY is also expected to be smaller year-over-year by at least 15 %, according to market sources. This decrease is attributed to heavy rainfall and lower yields following three years of high yields, with one market player noting that “the trees are tired.” Demand for Turkish apple concentrate has been strong from US buyers in recent months. …
The Tetra Laval Group Board has appointed Pietro Cassani as President & CEO of Sidel effective 15 July 2024. Pietro will be based in Parma, Italy. The appointment follows the decision by Monica Gimre to step down after more than five years as President & CEO of Sidel and 41 years in total with the Tetra Laval Group.
Pietro has been CEO of the Marchesini Group for the past eight years, and before that spent over 10 years as Group General Manager of SACMI. In total he has over 30 years of business and engineering experience. He holds an Engineering degree from the University of Bologna, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the SDA Bocconi School of Management.
Hydro One Premium Beverages, maker of natural functional beverages, announced that its line of US Patent Pending CANABIX® beverages, has been shown to reduce the glycemic indicators, increase insulin production, improve the microbiome and alleviate the symptoms of a pre-clinical model of type 2 diabetes.
CANABIX® is the first and only natural beverage containing a combined formulation of cannabidiol (CBD) and probiotics developed by Hydro One Premium Beverages in 2020. In a study done by researchers at Augusta University, drinking CANABIX instead of water was able to lower Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, known as A1c) significantly from 9 % to 5 % in mice with diabetes type 2 (db/db mice). Further, CANABIX increased insulin production in pancreatic cells and altered microbiome towards a protective profile by reducing inflammatory indices. These novel findings were reported as preprint on June 4th 2024 (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.06.04.597375v2) and currently is under peer review for publication.
Diabetes is a complex disease involving multiple organs in the body. Therefore, its treatment is challenging because of multi-target tissues, medication complexity, patient adherence to the therapy, and cost, says Dr. Phillip Wang the lead scientist of the research team. Despite significant advances in the treatment of symptoms, the underlying causes of diabetes remain intractable. There have been several studies showing the effects of dietary food and beverage supplements on diabetes. However, to the best of our knowledge this is the first study to report a comprehensive beneficial effect on several major aspects of diabetes by a natural beverage, particularly, lowering HbA1c (from 9 % to 5 %) as well as altering microbiome says corresponding author of the study, Dr. Phillip Wang.
“The gut microbiota plays a central role in immune balance and influences the metabolic processes, crucial factors in the development as well as treatment of type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Babak Baban, Professor of Immunology at Augusta University and co-author of the study. “Altering the profile of microbiome and the significant reduction in A1c in a few weeks only through a beverage are very significant and exciting cutting-edge achievements that warrant further research and clinical trials,” added Baban.
“We’re thrilled to learn that our CANABIX beverage could potentially have profound beneficial health effects. Since CANABIX is THC free, we have many athletes and doctors who already use it and have no issues with blood or urine tests,” says Sammy Nasrollahi, the CEO of Hydro One Beverages, “These are very promising outcomes resulting from pre-clinical studies conducted by a scientific team at Augusta University. As the central core of our mission, we are committed to continue working with the scientific community to promote a higher quality healthier lifestyle by expanding our effective and affordable solutions to those managing prediabetes and diabetes.”
CANABIX comes in three flavours: lemon cucumber, dragon fruit and peach tea. CANABIX the first and only beverage containing 30 mg of CBD and probiotics. A limited number of CANABIX samples are currently available for purchase through Hydro One Beverages by contacting Sammy Nasrollahi at snasrollahi@hydroonebeverages.com.
Disclosure: Dr. Babak Baban is affiliated with Hydro One beverages.
The international (non-alcoholic) beverage product review WORLD OF FRUITS 2024 has been published and is available for download!
In this publication confructa medien present beverage innovations from all over the world with specifications like ingredients, company, country, claims, packaging and launch price. What has hit the shelves in the international beverage sector? Which companies and products are the main driving forces in the market? Which trends have become apparent?
In MY 2023/24, the drop registered in EU orange and mandarin production was not compensated by the larger lemon and grapefruit output. EU citrus production is concentrated in the Mediterranean region. Spain and Italy represent the leading EU citrus producers, followed by Greece, Portugal, and Cyprus.
The EU is a net importer of citrus fruits, with imports largely exceeding exports. A large amount of trade takes place internally, from producing to non-producing EU Member States. With trade through Asian routes becoming increasingly challenging, EU neighboring citrus producers in the Mediterranean Basin (such as Egypt or Turkey) are concentrating their export efforts in the EU. This has been particularly true during the first half of the marketing year, coinciding with the Northern Hemisphere citrus producing season and resulting in increasing competition in the region. EU citrus exports in MY 2023/24, largely concentrated in non-EU Member European countries, are projected to decline only marginally …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
All Oranges 17.9 Million Boxes
The 2023-2024 Florida all orange forecast released by the USDA Agricultural Statistics Board is 17.9 million boxes. The total includes 6.76 million boxes of non-Valencia oranges (early, mid-season, and Navel varieties) and 11.1 million boxes of Valencia oranges …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
The Brazilian orange crop for Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24 is forecast at 378 million 90-pound boxes (MBx) – standard reference, equivalent to 15.42 million metric tons (MMT), a decrease of 7.3 percent compared to previous Post estimate (408 million boxes or 16.5 MMT), primarily due to poor weather conditions that culminated in a more severe drought, as well as impacts from greening. Meanwhile, Post revised the orange weight forecast to 165 grams/5.82 ounces in MY 2023/24, 4.2 percent heavier than Post previous estimate of 158 grams due to the lower production and consequent more room for the fruits to grow. Post revised the total forecast related to the Brazilian FCOJ 65 Brix equivalent production for MY 2023/24 at 1.06 MMT, a decrease of 8.62 percent vis-à-vis the Post estimate for MY 2022/23 (1.16 MMT), due to downward expected availability of fruit for processing provoked by drought, extremely high temperatures and increase of greening incidence …
Please download the full citrus crop production forecast: www.nass.usda.gov
The Prognosfruit Conference is Europe’s leading annual event for the apple and pear sector, gathering growers from across Europe and beyond. Following last year’s successful return to Trentino, Prognosfruit 2024 will take place in Budapest, Hungary, from the 7th to the 9th of August 2024. Registration is now open, and stakeholders and journalists are welcome to register via the Prognosfruit website. Prognosfruit 2024 is organised by WAPA in cooperation with FruitVeB (Magyar Zöldség- Gyümölcs Szakmaközi Szervezet).
Since 1976, Prognosfruit has released the annual forecast of apple and pear production for the upcoming season. This year, the three-day event during which the report will be released will see representatives of the sector gather to discuss the Northern Hemisphere situation as well as global perspectives for apples and pears. Following the Prognosfruit Conference on August 8, the delegates will have the opportunity to participate in a technical visit at Rauch’s processing factory in Budapest.
WAPA Secretary General Philippe Binard stated: “We look forward to welcoming the apple and pear experts and providing the opportunity for the sector representatives to gather and discuss the latest developments of the market. This year’s three-day programme, in addition to the crop forecast for 2024-2025, will focus in particular on strategies to promote the consumption of apples and pears and on the outlook for the processing industry”.
The draft programme of Prognosfruit 2024 and the online registration form to attend the conference are both available on the Prognosfruit website.
The volume of orange juice exported by Brazil in the partial of the 2023/24 season (from July/23 to May/24) remains below that registered in the same period of the previous crop. According to data from Comex Stat, Brazil exported 914.9 thousand tons of orange juice, for a decrease of 8.9 % compared to the same period last season.
The revenue, in turn, totaled USD 2.47 billion, moving up 22 % this season in relation to the previous. The main reason for the increase in revenue was the higher price paid per ton of juice, which rose due to the low availability of the commodity in Brazil, according to agents consulted by Cepea.
OJ shipments to the European Union amounted 489.79 thousand tons from July/23 to May/24, downing 8.2 % against the same period of 2022/23. The income, in turn, rose 27 %, at USD 1.35 billion. To the US, exports dropped 11 % in relation to that in 2022/23, at 293.64 thousand tons. The income verified between July/23 and May/24 was USD 737 million, 9 % up against the same period last season.
Domestic market
Prices of oranges allocated to processing activities have been moving up since March, when contracts involving the 2024/25 season have started to be closed. In early June, values of the fruit traded in the spot market in São Paulo state hit BRL 85.00 per 40.8-kilo box, harvested and delivered, a new record of Cepea series, which started in 1994, in real terms (averages were deflated by the IGP-DI).
Price rises are related to both the higher demand and the limited supply. As for the demand, the industry needs to purchase the raw material, because orange juice stocks are very low. Concerning the supply, the fruit output may be small again in São Paulo and in Triângulo Mineiro.
The starting signal for Flottweg’s new Process Center was given last week, on June 13th. In future, the Technology Center will offer the opportunity to implement customer-specific solutions and innovative approaches in an even more targeted manner. With a floor area of around 2000 square meters, the Process Center is divided into laboratory, technical center, office and storage space. Flottweg, a leading global manufacturer of mechanical separation technology and separation solutions, is thus continuing to pursue its long-term growth strategy. The new Process Center is scheduled to open at the end of 2025.
Dr. Kersten Link, Chairman of the Management Board, believes this is an important step for the future of the company: “By building the Process Center, we are not only strengthening our headquarters in Germany, but also creating the basis for sustainable and innovative growth. Flottweg has grown steadily in recent years, so the new Process Center is an investment in the future of the company. It is a signal to our customers and business partners that Flottweg will continue to provide the best solutions for demanding separation tasks in the future.”
Focus on customer-specific solutions
Both the laboratory and the pilot plant are divided into sub-areas in order to process the various application areas individually. The focus here is on the application-specific processing of customer samples on a laboratory and pilot plant scale. With the help of the results, Flottweg can provide the customer with targeted feedback on the feasibility, design of the machine and system technology as well as the efficiency of the planned separation processes. Due to the close proximity of the laboratory and the technical center, customer inquiries can be processed even more flexibly in the future.
“With state-of-the-art laboratory technology and versatile machine equipment for analytics, we can further increase the efficiency and sustainability of our solutions and implement tailor-made processes for our customers worldwide,” explains Stefan Bichlmeier, Head of Process Engineering at Flottweg.
Dedicated process line for plant proteins and starch
In order to meet the requirements of the food sector in particular, especially for plant proteins, permanently installed systems with corresponding special equipment are provided in the laboratory and technical center. “We have extensive process expertise in plant proteins – regardless of whether the customer requires an entire plant with engineering or just a machine,” says Dr. Mathias Aschenbrenner, plant protein specialist at Flottweg. “With our new Process Center, we can present the processes for our customers even more comprehensively. This investment underlines Flottweg’s commitment to the food sector.”
Consumers shift to natural beverages, immune-boosting benefits of fruit juices fuel growth
The North American fruit juice sector is undergoing a substantial growth period, with market size swelling to USD 39.6 billion as of the year 2023. Industry forecasts are robust, predicting a continued expansion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5 % from 2023 to 2032, culminating in an expected market value of USD 59.1 billion.
The surge in market growth is primarily driven by rising health awareness among consumers, who are now gravitating toward natural beverage options like fruit juices. These shifts in consumer preferences are linked to the numerous health benefits attributed to fruit juices, including their vitamin and mineral content, antioxidant properties, and their role in bolstering the human immune system.
Moreover, advancements in technology that allow for the introduction of organic preservatives enhance the appeal of fruit juices. When coupled with modern packaging solutions that cater to consumers’ increasingly busy lifestyles, it’s clear that the market is riding a wave of both practical innovation and heightened product awareness.
Consumer Trends
The shift in consumer behavior denotes a significant move away from carbonated drinks toward healthier options. The adoption of fruit juices as a method to improve metabolism and manage cholesterol levels is also noteworthy. Moreover, consumers are showing an inclination towards convenient consumption methods, which is another factor propelling the market growth.
Market Segmentation
The North America fruit juice market report covers a detailed analysis of the market segmented by type, flavour, and distribution channel, along with projections at both the regional and country levels. Market segments include 100 % fruit juices, nectars, juice drinks, concentrates, powdered juices, and others. Popular flavours profiled include orange, apple, mango, mixed fruit, and more, while the distribution channels investigated are supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty food stores, online retailers, and others.
Market Outlook
In conclusion, the North American fruit juice market is set for promising growth in the coming years, with consumer demand for healthier beverage options being a prime catalyst. Companies within the market are responding with innovative products that meet the evolving needs and preferences of consumers, positioning the industry for sustained expansion through 2032.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women and people of most racial and ethnic groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Recent research has shown that some gut bacteria help develop cardiovascular disease. When they feed on certain nutrients during digestion, gut bacteria produce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Levels of TMAO can help predict future cardiovascular disease, according to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic.
With help from a $500,000 USDA grant, Yu Wang and her team investigated the potential of orange peel extracts – rich in beneficial phytochemicals – to reduce TMAO and trimethylamine (TMA) production. Scientists tested two types of extracts: a polar fraction and a non-polar fraction.
To get the polar fractions, scientists used polar and non-polar solvents to extract the orange peel, Wang said.
“If you imagine your salad dressing, anything in the water or vinegar part are the polar fraction; anything in the oil away from water is the non-polar fraction,” Wang said. “The solvents we used were not exactly like water and oil, but they possess similar polarity.”
Results from the study showed that the orange peel non-polar fraction extract effectively inhibited the production of harmful chemicals. Researchers also identified a compound called feruloylputrescine in the orange peel polar fraction extract that also significantly inhibits the enzyme responsible for TMA production.
“This is a novel finding that highlights the previously unrecognised health potential of feruloylputrescine in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Wang, a UF/IFAS associate professor of food science and human nutrition.
The orange peel finding is significant because 5 million tons of orange peels are produced each year in orange juice production nationwide. Nearly 95 % of Florida oranges are used for juice. About half of the peels go to feed cattle. The rest goes to waste.
But the Food and Drug Administration considers natural orange peel extracts safe for human consumption. So, Wang hope to put the peels to better use.
“These findings suggest that orange peels, often discarded as waste in the citrus industry, can be repurposed into valuable health-promoting ingredients, such as diet supplements or food ingredients,” said Wang, a faculty member at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center. “Our research paves the way for developing functional foods enriched with these bioactive compounds, providing new therapeutic strategies for heart health.”
About UF/IFAS The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
A new study by Fact.MR reveals that the global fruit puree market is projected to reach US$ 24.11 billion by 2024, with demand expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7 %through 2034. The global fruit puree market is expanding rapidly as more consumers opt for packaged and convenient food products.
Fruit purees are increasingly used in various food processing sectors, including bakery products, beverages, smoothies, confectionery items, baby foods, dairy, and frozen products, driving up demand.
The growth of the food and beverages industry, supported by favorable trade policies and a rising global population, has positioned fruit purees as a popular, healthier alternative to sweeteners and artificial ingredients in food processing. The increasing number of working-class parents is boosting the demand for processed baby food, making fruit purees a highly sought-after component in infant and toddler diets due to their significant nutritional value.
The rapid expansion of the food and beverage industry, spurred by favorable trade regulations and a growing global population, highlights fruit purees as a healthy alternative to sweets and artificial ingredients. In developed countries like the United States and Germany, the preference for packaged juice as a daily breakfast item is significantly boosting demand for fruit purees across all age groups.
The rising consumption of canned and packaged foods, along with the extensive reach of retail networks, is expected to positively influence the market’s growth by improving product availability and distribution. Consumers are primarily drawn to these products for their health benefits. Probiotic beverages infused with fruit purees, such as Actimel, are gaining popularity for their immune-boosting properties. Additionally, fruit purees are increasingly recognized as sugar alternatives worldwide.
Key Takeaways from Market Study
The global fruit puree market is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 6.7% through 2034.
Global sales of fruit purees are estimated at US$ 24.11 billion in 2024. The market is projected to reach US$ 46.33 billion by 2034-end.
The North American market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.1% through 2034.
The bakery segment is estimated to account for 25% market share in 2024. East Asia is forecasted to account for 25.2% of the global market share by 2034.
“Global fruit puree consumption is growing rapidly as more consumers prefer convenient food products that include natural ingredients. Fruit purees are being increasingly used in the bakery, beverages, confectionery, baby food, and dairy industries,” says a Fact.MR analyst.
Regional Analysis
The United States is a crucial market for fruit puree producers due to its extensive and varied consumer base, strong food and beverage sector, and shifting consumer tastes. The diverse American population, which enjoys a wide range of cuisines and dietary trends, drives high demand for fruit purees across multiple applications such as beverages, desserts, snacks, and baby foods.
Producers can capitalize on the American preference for convenient and nutritious food options by positioning fruit purees as essential ingredients. Additionally, the growing emphasis on natural and clean-label products aligns well with the inherent qualities of fruit purees, making them appealing to consumers focused on wellness and healthy eating habits.
Market Developments
Key fruit puree producers are Kanegrade, Kiril Mischeff, Tree Top, Mine Fruit Products, Döhler, Uren Food Group Limited, Dennick Fruitsource and Milne Food Products. Key companies in the industry are joining forces by merging and acquiring other companies. They are also launching new products to make their position stronger and grab a larger share of the market.
Recent Developments
In 2019, Döhler took control of the majority stake in Zumos Catalano Aragoneses S.A., a producer based in Spain specializing in juices, purees, and concentrates.
In 2020, Tree Top Fruit Ingredients introduced its Tree Top Fruit+Water pouches, a line of hydrating pouches crafted with over 45% juice specifically tailored for children. These single-serve pouches offer low-sugar beverage options, fortified with vitamin C. The product comes in four enticing flavors: grape, fruit punch, tropical, and berry.
Caribe Juice, maker of WTRMLN WTR®, #1 selling cold pressed watermelon juice brand in the US, announces the launch of WTRMLN® ADE, a first-of-its-kind, clean cold-pressed ultra-hydrating lemonade that harnesses the hydration superpower of real watermelon in a delicious and refreshing lemonade. Each 12 oz bottle packs a whopping 600 mg or more of electrolytes, on par with shelf stable sports drinks, thanks to its high concentration of naturally electrolyte-rich watermelon, and touts 100 % DV Vitamin C, No Added Sugar, and half the calories and sugar of traditional lemonade. WTRMLN® ADE is available in 3 popular flavours: Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, and Limeade.
“Everyone loves the taste of watermelon, but many consumers do not realise that watermelon is naturally packed with extraordinary amounts of electrolytes, especially potassium, as well as L-Citrulline, an amino acid that aids in muscle recovery post-workout, and lycopene, an antioxidant powerhouse,” said Luis Solis, CEO of Caribe Juice. “Having just wrapped up our second year in a row of double-digit growth, now is the perfect time to lean into Wtrmln momentum with new innovation.”
WTRMLN® ADE is a full flavour sport lemonade that delivers thirst-quenching benefits to help consumers hydrate faster and recover more efficiently than regular water without all the junk ingredients found in most sports drinks. Like all WTRMLN® products, the base is cold pressed watermelon juice, which delivers one of the cleanest sources of hydration on the planet. Combined with lemon and other real juices, the result is a super-hydrating delicious lemonade that delivers the key functional benefits found in watermelon, such as clean electrolytes, vitamins and antioxidants.
WTRMLN® ADE will be available in retailers such as Target, Stop & Shop, and Whole Foods (starting September) as well as regional accounts throughout the Northeast and West Coast in the US.
Fruit Shoot is making a splash this June by entering the squash category with two flavours: Berry Galaxy (Strawberry and Blueberry) and Tropical Jungle (Orange and Mango). With squash making up nearly half of all soft drinks for kids1, Robinsons Fruit Shoot’s latest move means retailers can offer parents a refreshing alternative from a brand they already know and love.
As the number one kids’ drinks brand in the UK2, Fruit Shoot is ideally placed to expand its portfolio into squash. Already a favourite with shoppers, its core range (Orange and Apple & Blackcurrant No Added Sugar Juice Drink) is growing by + 1 %3 (vs last year) and its naturally flavoured water range, Hydro, at + 12.8 %4 (vs last year). The new squash is aimed at children aged between 3 and 8 years old and is all about taking them on a flavour adventure through eye-catching pack designs and delicious flavour combinations.
Ben Parker, Retail Commercial Director at Britvic comments, “We can see a clear demand in the kids category for larger sharing formats, so this was the perfect time to expand Fruit Shoot into a brand-new category. As a well-known and trusted brand, Fruit Shoot is well placed to leverage its strong appeal with kids5 and parents, helping retailers to drive further sales within the category.”
The squashes have already launched into Amazon and Ocado, with a wider launch set for 2025, and has an MRSP of £2.
1Kantar Usage Panel In Home & Carried Out, Britvic Defined Dilutes, Share of Total Soft Drinks, Dilutes share of Total Soft Drinks by Age (Under 10s = kids), 52we 14.04.24 2Nielsen IQ RMS, to WE 13.04.24 MAT TY, Total Coverage GB inc Discounters, Britvic Defined Kids Database, Fruit Shoot, excluding Private Label, Value Sales & CGA by NielsenIQ, 52wks to December 31st 2023, Total Coverage OOH. Fruit Shoot, Value Sales 3NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage GB incl discounters, Britvic Defined Kids Database, Sales Value % Chg vs last year, 12 w/e 25.05.24 4NielsenIQ RMS, Total Coverage GB incl discounters, Britvic Defined Kids Database, Sales Value % Chg vs last year, 12 w/e 25.05.24
Research into ultra-processed foods (UPF) and their role in today’s diet is becoming an increased focus for healthcare professionals. But with a range of studies emerging and differing opinions on the matter, it can be confusing for consumers to navigate what the broad term really means.
A recent study highlighted some of these misconceptions when almost half of respondents (45 %) said they wouldn’t be able to define or identify an ultra-processed food or beverage, and the same amount said they don’t know the difference between ultra-processed and minimally processed products.
Orange juice was highlighted as one of the most common misconceptions amongst Brits in the study, with 21 % believing the drink was ultra-processed, despite being minimally processed. In the same study, 19 % even said they avoid buying orange juice as they worry it sits in the UPF category.
Award-winning nutritionist and health writer, Dr Emma Derbyshire says: ‘Some of the misunderstandings around ultra-processed foods are resulting in consumers avoiding certain products which contain healthy benefits. Products like 100 % orange juice are essential in a balanced diet and provide essential vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin C and potassium, needed to help meet an individual’s nutrient needs.”
Top 5 orange juice truths:
Unlike ultra-processed products, 100 % orange juice contains no added sugars and cannot be diluted with water under European law
Fruit juice counts as one of your 5-a-day fruit and vegetables – a convenient and nutritious way to up your fruit intake
The high levels of vitamin C found naturally in fruit juice help the immune system to combat symptoms of common colds and illness and support normal skin health
Fruit juice contains potassium, which supports normal blood pressure
Drinking orange juice helps your body absorb iron from plant foods
ITO EN, a key player in Japan’s beverage industry, innovates the market with the launch of two premium beverages with bite-sized pieces in SIG SmileSmall carton packs, made possible by the SIG Drinksplus technology integrated in the SIG SmileSmall 24 Aseptic filling machine.
The two new products from ITO EN are Crunchy Smoothie, a carrot smoothie with carrot pieces, and Crispy Potage, a creamy tomato potage with onion bits. Unlike traditional juices and smoothies, both products stand out with the inclusion of real vegetable pieces which provide ITO EN’s consumers with a unique and premium drinking experience. Both new products in convenient on-the-go SIG SmileSmall carton packs are aimed to help ITO EN to capture a bigger share of the veggie juice market in Japan, currently one of the fastest growing categories in the beverage industry.
Tetsuo Yamaguchi, Brand Manager at ITO EN: “Our new products provide our consumers with a refreshingly different drinking experience – rich and satisfying with the incorporation of real vegetable pieces. The novel packaging solution and the filling technology from SIG, that allows these inclusions to be added, enables our consumers to easily supplement their vegetable intake anytime and anywhere. The SIG SmileSmall carton pack is a real eye-catcher with its curved, modern shape and easy-grip corners. It differentiates and the end result is a successful fusion of exceptional packaging and products.”
As well as being easy to carry, handle and store, and like all SIG carton packs, SIG SmileSmall carton packs are ‘sustainable by nature’, with a high share of forest-based renewable materials, 100% of the paperboard procured with FSC™-certification, a lightweight and space-saving design, produced using 100% renewable electricity, and designed to be fully recyclable. SIG aseptic carton packs are the proven lowest carbon footprint packaging choice compared with alternative packaging options*.
Angela Lu, President & General Manager Asia Pacific at SIG: “In Japan, it is vital for food and beverage companies like ITO EN to innovate the market with healthy and high-quality products, particularly for on-the-go consumption. Our SIG Drinksplus technology offers the opportunity to add value to healthy beverages with the inclusion of pieces of fruit, vegetables, nuts, or cereals, which can be easily filled into our convenient on-the-go carton packs. It opens up a plethora of new opportunities to transform and drive forward the Japanese beverage market.”
No one understands the importance of proper hydration quite like the global soccer icon, Lionel Messi. He searched for a hydration beverage and found drinks that had healthy ingredients but lacked flavour. Others tasted great but had lots of sugar and calories. He didn’t want to choose between the two. He believed a drink with better ingredients and amazing taste could inspire everyone to take better care of themselves. So, Messi went to work on a drink of his own.
(Photo: Más+ by Messi)
Today, he is finally introducing a drink like no other: Más+ by Messi, a Next-Generation Hydration Beverage. He calls it “Positive Hydration”: a balanced blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, and amazing taste in four sensational flavours he loves, with natural flavours, no artificial sweeteners or colours, and no caffeine.
More than a name on the label, Messi is a founder of Más+ by Messi and The Más+ Next Generation Beverage Co., along with flavour innovators from The Mark Anthony Group.
Messi chose the name Más+ from about 450 names, because it resonated with his career and the way he lives his life, always finding more to give. Más+ has more of the flavours he loves, more quality ingredients. The + stands for an extra boost of positivity, inspiration for you to enjoy more music, laughter, friends, and family and to get more out of life. Unlike others, Más+ is not made for any one moment related to sports or limited to elite athletes. It’s about getting and staying healthy in any part of your life. A core component of that is what you drink, proper hydration.
“Hydration is essential to overall wellbeing. I believe everyone deserves a drink with amazing ingredients and taste,” said Lionel Messi, Founder, Más+ by Messi. “Más+ is a drink I’m proud to share with family and friends. Because everyone deserves to feel like a champion in every part of their life.”
The global rollout of Más+ starts close to home for Messi — at a local neighborhood store in Miami where, on June 13, lucky fans will become the first in the world to score some of the first bottles and try Más+ for themselves before the drink is available anywhere else.
Más+ by Messi will be available in four flavours in 16.9 oz bottles and soon after in four-flavour variety 12-packs of cans.
With 10 calories and 1 g of cane sugar per 16.9 oz bottle, and 7 calories and less than 1 g of cane sugar per 12 oz can, Más+ offers quality ingredients without compromising on flavour or taste. The new drink comes in four vibrant flavours, loved by Messi, and named after inspirational milestones in his life:
Más+ by Messi Miami Punch: Inspired by the city where Messi and his family live, home of Messi’s current and next chapter, Miami Punch has a balanced blend of berry flavours with a hint of pineapple for a refreshing fruit punch taste.
Más+ by Messi Orange d’Or: Orange d’Or has a refreshing orange flavour with hints of tangerine flavour for a balanced citrus taste. It’s inspired by Messi’s record eight wins of the Ballon d’Or (“Golden Ball” in French) Trophy.
Más+ by Messi Berry Copa Crush: Inspired by Messi’s seven Copa del Rey titles with Barcelona and his Copa America win with Argentina, Berry Copa Crush has a refreshing blend of sweet and luscious berry and cherry flavours.
Más+ by Messi Limón Lime League: Limón Lime League balances refreshingly sweet, fruity flavour and zesty citrus taste. It honors the time Messi spent playing in the UEFA Champions League, a cup he won three times.
After two months of price drops, orange values are expected to increase again in the in natura market in June. Processing activities are likely to be intensified, since more companies have started to operate, limiting the supply of fruits in the in natura market. Players say that, although the demand is usually lower in this period, since the weather is colder, the supply in the in natura market is expected to be smaller than the demand.
Orange prices already increased in the second fortnight of May, after the release of estimates of a lower output by Fundecitrus. Thus, many producers stopped harvesting fruits for the in natura market, preferring to meet the demand from the industry.
In May, the average for the pear orange was BRL 80.22 per 40.8-kilo box, on tree, downing 11.21 % in relation to April/24.
Although prices dropped from April to May, they are still at high levels. In addition to the forecast of a small crop, low stocks of orange juice have been boosting the industrial demand for fruits.
Tahiti lime
The supply is expected to continue limited in June, due to the below-average volume of rainfall. Colder temperatures have concerned producers, since this scenario may result in characteristics that purchasers disapprove, especially in the international market. In May, the price average was at BRL 32.62 per 27-kilo box, harvested, 18.96% up compared to April.
Ponkan tangerine
Prices may move up in June, especially from the second fortnight on, when the supply in São Paulo tends to decrease. Moreover, the fruit can be a good alternative for orange and other fruits, which are presenting higher quotations. On the other hand, the demand is likely to decrease due to the cold weather, limiting more significant price rises.
Döhler announces the expansion of its Paarl manufacturing facility, marking a significant advancement in its operations within the African market. By enhancing product availability and customising offerings, Döhler deepens its partnerships with local customers and positions itself at the forefront of the food, beverage and life science and nutrition industry in the region.
The expansion of Döhler South Africa’s plant in Paarl introduces new, state-of-the-art production lines for compounds and emulsions as well as powdered and liquid flavours. In addition, it substantially increases the company’s capability for processing bulk juice concentrate. From now on, customers will have direct access to the complete portfolio of compounds, which shows Döhler’s commitment to being at the forefront of the food, beverage and life science and nutrition industry in the region.
2024 promises to be a groundbreaking year for Döhler South Africa following notable achievements and the establishment of strategic partnerships in the last year. The Paarl plant expansion sets the stage for future advancements. The addition of cutting-edge production lines and state-of-the-art R&D labs will further strengthen Döhler’s ability to deliver high-quality products and product solutions directly to the African market.
The expansion of Döhler’s plant in Paarl was officially inaugurated in May with a ceremony attended by prominent industry figures, the Drakenstein Executive Mayor and the Consul General of the German Consulate, emphasizing Döhler’s commitment to deepen its engagement with the African food, beverage and life science and nutrition industry.
Global sugar production is forecast up 2.5 million tons to 186.0 million with lower production in Brazil expected to more than offset higher production in Thailand, India, China, and Mexico. Consumption is anticipated to rise to a new record with growth in markets such as India and Pakistan. Exports are forecast lower due to reduced shipments from Brazil, India, and Thailand. Stocks are forecast lower as reduced stocks in Thailand are projected to more than offset a rise in stocks in India …
Tropicana has launched a new range of its Multivit Boost juices to stores across the UK. The three fresh juices expands Tropicana’s functional juice offering as consumer health trends continue to evolve with a post pandemic demand for immunity support products and ingredients.
Tropicana Multivit Boost is now available in its best-selling Multifruit plus two new juices, all in 850 ml Pure-Pak® cartons. Launched in April 2024 and rolling out across UK’s key retailers are the new varieties; Smooth Orange and Mixed Berries juice for immune health support.
Each serving of Tropicana Multivit Boost offers 100 % of daily Vitamin C requirements, along with essential vitamins B1, B2, B6, E, with an added inclusion of vitamin A in the Mixed Berries and Multifruit flavour. According to Tropicana, these added vitamins play a crucial role in supporting normal energy-yielding metabolism, maintaining healthy skin and vision, and protecting cells from oxidative stress. A single portion of each variety provides one of the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
Food 4 Future – Expo Foodtech presents the 7 trends that will define the future of the food industry
The food industry met last April at Food 4 Future – Expo Foodtech and Pick&Pack for Food Industry, which were held simultaneously in Bilbao, Spain, from 16 to 18 April to discover and analyse the challenges facing the food and beverage sector, marked by an inflationary economic context, new consumer habits that lead to new consumer demands, and increasingly demanding regulations regarding sustainability. With the help of 482 experts from the food industry worldwide, Food 4 Future and Pick&Pack, together with AZTI’s technological innovation team, have identified the 7 trends that will mark the future of the food industry in the coming years:
1. Geostrategy and inflationary environment
Europe has traditionally had a history of low agri-food inflation, something that has changed in recent years with a double-digit annual increase in food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation. This problem, coupled with the fact that many regions specialise in a single product, creates a risk of market fluctuations. To face these challenges, Food 4 Future has highlighted the importance of moving towards the European model of more efficient and productive farms, with greater collaboration from the private sector, something that will strengthen the competitiveness of these companies. Alliances between manufacturers and fostering resilience, innovation and collaboration are key to ensuring success in a constantly evolving sector.
2. New consumer habits
Consumer demands and habits have changed and now demand personalised experiences. Many companies are already using data and the latest technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, to adapt products and services to these new individual preferences and the trend is expected to continue in the future. In addition, society has shifted and now consumers value health, taste, convenience and sustainability as key drivers and where direct sales have increased significantly. In this way, food and beverage firms are gaining market share, winning over the shopper in the current context of price adjustment, and forging robust competition for the rest of the players. New habits also include the demand for healthier and more sustainable foods, which has led to innovation in alternative foods, such as those based on vegetable proteins, mushrooms, algae, and meat substitutes.
3. 360° Sustainability
The food industry faces multiple challenges in terms of sustainability, driven by climate change, the efficient management of resources such as water and energy, and the need for decarbonisation to achieve zero net emissions. It is also focusing its efforts on the importance of minimising greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing packaging materials, improving eco-efficiency in production processes and encouraging recycling throughout the product life cycle. Suppliers are key in this respect, as are sustainable agricultural and livestock practices, together with more efficient food processing chains and minimising food waste.
4. New technologies
The digital transformation that the food sector is undergoing has brought with it robotisation and automation in production plants, but it is also being extended to other practices such as harvesting, spraying and pruning in agriculture. Other trends that will mark the future in the field of agri-food tech are precision fermentation, efficiency technologies, operational excellence, or industrial machine vision to detect quality defects, among others. The application of technologies is also key to guaranteeing food quality and safety, with real-time monitoring, preventive models, traceability from farm to fork, and smart packaging and labels to ensure the quality of pre-packaged food. In addition, quantum computing is gaining a great deal of attention in the field of innovation.
5. Healthy eating
Concern for healthy eating and lifestyle is growing, which is why personalised nutrition has become increasingly important in recent years. Companies are striving for healthier products without sacrificing pleasure and taste through new techniques. The debate on ultra-processed foods and the need for legislation will also remain on the table. This is an issue where there is no consensus and where there is a high degree of ignorance among citizens about labeling systems. Transparent communication on packaging will help consumers to make informed choices.
6. New packaging regulations
Packaging is also undergoing a paradigm shift driven by several interlinked factors: the advance of decarbonisation, the application of technologies for process optimisation and the adaptation to increasingly demanding sustainability regulations. The sector is currently immersed in major challenges driven by the new regulations against food waste and packaging, which will have an impact on eco-design, the trend towards mono-material, reuse, and the increase in recycled material, among other issues.
7. More sustainable and efficient logistics
Supply chain efficiency is crucial. Technology allows for greater production and volume, greater flexibility, and more traceability, all of which have an impact on increasing business for companies in the sector. For this reason, Artificial Intelligence, robotics, automation and blockchain solutions are already being applied to improve logistics efficiency in the food value chain. The use of robots and AI makes it possible to handle a wide variety of products, and even pack boxes with products of different types and sizes using artificial vision. The result is improved efficiency, saving time and increasing sustainability while reducing costs.
Tate & Lyle PLC announces that Dawn Allen, Chief Financial Officer, has decided to leave the Company to take up the position of Chief Financial Officer of Haleon plc. Mrs Allen will remain with Tate & Lyle until October 2024 to close out our half-year results ending 30 September 2024, and to support an orderly transition.
The Board has begun a process to appoint a successor to Mrs Allen and a further announcement will be made in due course.
Nick Hampton, Chief Executive said: “During her time at Tate & Lyle, Dawn has played a key role in maintaining strong financial discipline across the business, and leaves behind a proven team that will continue to support the delivery of our growth-focused strategy. We wish her every success in the next stage of her career.”
David Hearn, Chair, said: “Dawn has been a valued member of the management team and on behalf of the Board I would like to thank her for her contribution to Tate & Lyle, and wish her all the best in her next role.”
Bottled water has retained its title as America’s favourite packaged drink, outselling carbonated soft drinks (by volume) for the eighth year in a row, new data from the Beverage Marketing Corporation (BMC) shows.
Bottled water’s total volume sold in 2023 was 15.94 billion gallons, compared to carbonated soft drinks, which sold 11.84 billion gallons. Bottled water retail sales surpassed USD 48 billion, up 6.5 % from 2022.
“Multiple characteristics account for bottled water’s resonance with U.S. consumers, including its associations with healthfulness, convenience, safety, and value. An array of packaging types, ranging from single-serve to bulk, facilitates a wide range of uses,” says John G. Rodwan, Jr., BMC’s editorial director.
“Consumers’ thirst for beverages that offer benefits beyond refreshment alone also contributed to the fundamental hydrating beverage’s rise in the beverage standings. Bottled water’s zero-calorie status and its lack of artificial ingredients appeal to many consumers. Even where tap water may be safe and readily available, people may prefer bottled water, which they often believe tastes better. The availability of packaged water wherever beverages are sold also differentiates bottled water from tap,” says Rodwan.
Bottled water products compete with other packaged drinks, but not tap water. Most bottled water drinkers consume both tap water and bottled water, packaged conveniently in 3 and 5-gallon for the home and office, or at retail 1 and 2.5 gallon or individual size commonly sold by the case. However, when people are away from home and bottled water isn’t available, 70 % say they will choose another packaged drink, according to a survey conducted in 2022 on behalf of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) by The Harris Poll. Survey respondent choices were as follows: soda (22 %), sparkling or sweetened or flavored bottled water (10 %), sports drink (8 %), tea (7 %), coffee (6 %), juice/fruit drinks (5 %), functional water (5 %), bottled tea (4 %), energy drink (3 %). Among the remaining 30 %, a third (10 %) would drink from a water dispenser, either using a refillable cup (5 %) or disposable cup (5 %). Ten percent would drink filtered tap water, 6 % would drink unfiltered tap water, while 4 % would drink from a public water fountain (down from 7 % in 2019).
For more than a decade, consumers have been increasingly choosing bottled water instead of less-healthy packaged drinks. In fact, since 2012, 34 % of bottled water’s growth has come from people switching from less-healthy drinks to bottled water.
Bottled water’s volume surpassed soft drinks for the first time in 2016 and has done so every year since. Americans consumed, on average, 46.4 gallons of bottled water in 2023, compared to 34.4 gallons of soda. The fact is that consumers demand bottled water. Research shows that nine out of 10 Americans (91 %) say they expect bottled water to be available wherever other drinks are sold.
“Consumer preference for healthy hydration and bottled water is really good news for public health,” says Jill Culora, IBWA’s vice president of communications. “This is particularly important as the nation continues to experience high rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.”
“Bottled water also has the added benefit of packaging that is 100 % recyclable, unlike laminated paper cartons, which technically can be recycled but most often they are not accepted by the majority of municipal recycling systems in the United States. Not only are bottled water containers 100 % recyclable (including the cap) but they also use much less plastic than other packaged beverages.”
Even with continuing growth and increased consumption, bottled water still has the smallest impact on the environment—thanks to the fact that it has the smallest water and energy use footprint of any packaged beverage. On average, only 1.4 liters of water (including the 1 liter of water consumed) and 0.21 mega joules of energy are used to produce 1 liter of finished bottled water.
Most bottled water is packaged in 100 % recyclable PET #1 plastic and HDPE #2 plastic, which are the plastics most recognised by consumers as being recyclable and the most recycled plastics in the world. Consumers can be confident about recycling plastic bottled water containers because they are among the few consumer packaging types that are universally recyclable across the United States. Not all cities and towns recycle glass bottles and laminated paper cartons, which are most commonly comprised of multiple layers of paper, plastic, and aluminum or wax.
PET plastic bottled water containers are the most recycled containers in U.S. curbside recycling programs, accounting for 52 %. PET plastic bottled water containers are a valuable resource because they can be recycled and used over and over again.
Recycling facilities know that there is a huge industry demand for post-consumer PET and HDPE plastics. Many bottled water companies use recycled PET and HDPE plastic to create new bottles, which helps to reduce their environmental impact further because they aren’t using virgin plastic.
“Helping people make healthier choices is at the core of the bottled water business,” says Culora. “Consumers have made it clear that there’s a demand for safe, healthy, and convenient bottled water, as they are responsible for propelling bottled water to the title of America’s most popular packaged beverage, by volume.”
As per this latest study by Fact.MR, a provider of market research and competitive intelligence, the global nitro cocktails market is expected to garner USD 102.7 million by 2033, expanding at a high-value CAGR of 16.7 % from 2023 to 2033.
Nitrogen gas is added to beverages to give them a distinctive texture and flavour. Under high pressure, nitrogen gas is added to a beverage during this procedure, resulting in small bubbles that give the beverage a silky and creamy texture.
Market expansion is being driven by the fast-rising demand for beverages that are ready to drink. In addition, the demand for healthy and low-sugar beverages is growing as a result of consumers’ growing health awareness. Additionally, adoption of convenience-oriented lifestyles has been encouraged by rapid urbanisation, rising middle-class population, and growing number of youths in developing economies, which has increased the demand for ready-to-drink beverages with nitro infusions.
As the demand for unique and visually appealing cocktails continues to grow, the market for nitro cocktails is expected to continue expanding rapidly. However, it is worth noting that the use of nitrogen gas can be potentially dangerous if not handled properly; so it is important for bartenders and establishments to take proper safety precautions when preparing and serving nitro cocktails.
Key takeaways from market study:
The global nitro cocktails market is valued at USD 21.9 million in 2023.
Worldwide demand for nitro cocktails is projected to increase at a CAGR of 16.7 % from 2023 to 2033.
The global market is estimated to touch USD 102.7 million by the end of 2033.
The market in China is projected to surge ahead at a CAGR of 21.6 % during the forecasted time frame (2023 to 2033).
The market in the United Kingdom is forecasted to expand at 14.9 % CAGR through 2033.
“Consumer demand for new products is rising, along with continuously changing drinking habits and consumer behaviour, which is fueling the consumption of nitro cocktails,” says a Fact.MR analyst.
Market competition
The market for nitro cocktails is still relatively small but is growing rapidly. More and more bars and restaurants across the world are adding nitro cocktails to their menus, and some companies are even producing pre-made nitro cocktails that can be purchased in stores. In addition, there are now specialised nitro cocktail machines that bars and restaurants can use to create their own unique nitro cocktail creations.
Cruise Beverages announced the debut of a new range of Nitro-infused CBD Craft drinks in February 2021. These really useful drinks provide a substitute for alcoholic beverages. They are designed to improve focus and aid individuals in managing stress and anxiety without causing a spike in sugar levels or hangover-like symptoms.
A new era of conscious consumption is creating a shift toward more sustainable ingredients and eye-catching colour palettes influenced by the natural world, according to GNT.
GNT, which supplies plant-based EXBERRY® colours, has identified “Regeneration Rising” as a key trend in the food and drink sector. The company’s analysis explores the growing global appreciation for the natural world and desire to protect the planet. This mindset is now intensifying the focus on the origins of raw materials and sustainable production.
The Regeneration Rising trend is also inspiring new colour palettes as brands seek to convey instinctive messages about how their products are created. The use of visually impactful colours that can be found growing on land and in the sea helps manufacturers to showcase products’ eco-credentials and build emotional connections with consumers.
GNT has identified three new colour directions in line with the trend. “Elevated Earth” involves earthy shades from red-browns and warm oranges to textured purples and inky teals, elevating products with an organic but premium look and feel. “Nature Lab” is about pushing the boundaries of what is considered natural and features a kaleidoscopic spectrum of green, pink, red, yellow, orange, and blue. Finally, “Wholesome Nostalgia” features yellows, greens, blues, peaches, and pinks that range from velvet-like to milky, translucent, muted, and dreamlike.
Dieuwertje Raaijmakers, Marketing Communications Specialist at GNT Group, said: “Consumers of all ages are developing a much stronger interest in sustainability and rebuilding their relationships with the natural world. To appeal to these shoppers, food and beverage companies have to showcase their commitment to the planet. Colour can play an important role in telling that story, helping brands create appealing products that send out strong visual signals about how they’re produced.”
GNT has set out an ambition to lead the food colouring industry on sustainability. The company creates its EXBERRY® colours from fruits, vegetables, and plants and has set out a series of ambitious targets to optimise its environmental and social impacts at every stage of the value chain.
Tractor, in partnership with HowGood, launched the Organic Impact Tracker in 2023, becoming the first beverage brand to track and disclose impact data about its ingredients.
Tractor Beverage Company, the trailblazing pioneer of Certified Organic, Non-GMO beverages exclusively for the food service sector, and HowGood, a sustainability intelligence platform with the world’s largest ingredient sustainability database, are proud to have been recognised by Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards for the Organic Impact Tracker.
In 2023, Tractor and HowGood partnered to release the Organic Impact Tracker, a sustainability impact tracker that uses five metrics to quantify the benefit of sourcing organic ingredients versus their conventional counterparts: synthetic pesticides avoided, organic land supported, carbon emissions avoided, water saved, and improved soil health. As the first and only organic company dedicated to food service, Tractor is also the only company in the world to track Synthetic Pesticides Avoided as part of its impact reporting.
“We’re honored by Fast Company’s recognition of our achievement,” stated Kevin Sherman, CEO of Tractor Beverage Company. “Over the past year, Tractor has steered clear of 34 tons of synthetic pesticides, a significant step towards leaving a better world for future generations. With HowGood’s assistance, we’re setting a new bar for accountability and transparency in the food and beverage industry and demonstrating our commitment to prioritising people and the planet over pesticides.”
HowGood supports food and beverage companies across the value chain to measure, manage, and communicate their sustainability impact. Tractor’s Organic Impact Tracker is powered by HowGood’s calculations, drawing from a database of over 90,000 agricultural emission factors.
Through their Fast Company award-winning Organic Impact Tracker (OIT), HowGood and Tractor have empowered Tractor’s Pouring Partners and consumers to have a global impact. In 2023 alone, Tractor:
Avoided 729.4 tons of carbon emissions
Supported 3882.9 acres of organic land
Saved 187,453.3 gallons of water
Contributed to 3882.9 acres of improved soil health
Avoided 34.04 tons of synthetic pesticides
“Now more than ever, it’s important that companies at every stage of the food value chain are collaborating to achieve impact reduction goals,” said Alexander Gillett, CEO of HowGood. “Partnering with Tractor to power their trailblazing sustainability transparency has made it possible for restaurants and consumers to make informed, responsible sourcing decisions. We applaud Tractor’s innovative approach to sustainability and are honored to have provided the model and calculations to make it possible.”
HowGood powers sustainability transparency across the food industry, working with food and beverage companies to calculate and share their impact data, drive impact reduction for carbon, water, biodiversity, and more, and make verified sustainability marketing claims. One of HowGood’s customers, Chipotle, has leveraged HowGood’s ingredient-level data in their “Real Foodprint” menu feature, demonstrating radical transparency in their public communications.
Since 2020, Tractor has also partnered with Chipotle to pour drinks that serve a purpose. Beyond pouring certified organic drinks, Chipotle donates 5 % of profits from Tractor Beverage sales to support farmers.
“We are proud to partner with Tractor Beverages, a company that offers delicious, all-natural drinks and shares our commitment to using real ingredients while supporting the farming community,” says Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle. “Organisations like HowGood and Tractor are helping to create lasting change throughout the food system, and we applaud their transparency as a means to drive progress.”
About Tractor Beverage Company Tractor Beverage Company is revolutionising the beverage station as the first and only USDA Organic Certified, Non-GMO full-line beverage solution for food service. Farmer-founded and employee-owned, the team is on a mission to create a cleaner, healthier planet, one drink at a time. 136 million+ Tractor drinks are served annually in more than 7,500 locations across 50 states in the US, with a portfolio of 25 uniquely flavoured Certified Organic and Non-GMO craft refreshers, lemonades, and premium craft sodas as well as organic frozen and organic mixology. Tractor’s thoughtfully crafted drinks feature clean ingredients that deliver on taste, functionality, and experience, without any of the bad stuff. Tractor is the first beverage brand to track and disclose impact data about its ingredients through the Organic Impact Tracker, quantifying the benefit of sourcing organic versus conventional ingredients. The company was included on the 2023 and 2022 Inc. 5000 lists of America’s fastest-growing private companies, and on Fast Company’s 2021 list of the world’s Most Innovative Companies.
About HowGood HowGood is an independent research company and SaaS Sustainability Intelligence platform with the world’s largest database on food product sustainability. With more than 90,000 agricultural emissions factors, HowGood helps leading brands, suppliers, retailers and restaurants to measure, reduce, and communicate their environmental and social impact. Through in-depth, ingredient-level insights into factors like greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, labor risk, animal welfare, and other key impacts, HowGood’s data power strategic decision-making for the sourcing, manufacturing, merchandising, and marketing of sustainable products.
The dry and warm weather in São Paulo concerned citrus growers in early May. They say that fruits were falling from the trees, a scenario that is reinforced in areas with high incidence of HLB (Huanglongbing, or greening).
Growers collected fruits that fell, allocating them to crushing activities, although this process is more expensive than the regular harvest. Still, as prices at factories are high, this fact ends up being advantageous for both citrus growers and the industry, which needs to absorb as more fruits as possible. It is worth noting that higher temperatures and below-average rains since the middle of the second semester last year may result in a lower volume to harvest in 2024/25.
The heat wave and the lack of rains also affect the quality of oranges, reducing its attractiveness in the market.
As for the tahiti lime, the dry weather started to affect the development and the quality of the peel. Some producers were concerned and started harvesting, aiming to collect fruits that are prematurely falling to send them immediately to the industry.
The 2024-2025 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt by Fundecitrus in cooperation with Markestrat and full professors at FEA-RP/USP1 and FCAV/Unesp2, is 232.38 million boxes of 40.8 kg (90 lbs) each. This production is divided as follows (figures in parentheses indicate the drop in production as compared to the previous crop):
37.12 million boxes of the Hamlin, Westin, and Rubi varieties (- 36.10 %);
15.72 million boxes of the Valencia Americana, Seleta, Pineapple and Alvorada varieties (- 15.07 %);
70.97 million boxes of the Pera Rio variety (- 27.30 %);
81.58 million boxes of the Valencia and Valencia Folha Murcha varieties (- 22.45 %);
26.99 million boxes of the Natal variety (- 2.91 %).
Approximately 14.61 million boxes are expected to be produced in the Triângulo Mineiro (- 47.48 %).
Overall, the projected volume represents a significant drop of 24.36 % as compared to the previous crop that totaled 307.22 million boxes, a value close to the average for the last decade …
1Marcos Fava Neves, Part-time Full Professor at FEA-RP/USP. 2José Carlos Barbosa, (voluntary) Full Professor at FCAV/Unesp.
Paul Graham, President of Americas at Döhler, is announced as FEMA’s new President. He is committed to increasing collaboration among all stakeholders and aims to champion flavour safety as well as to improve associations’ outreach efforts. With his experience within Döhler, he seeks to advance the industry.
During the FEMA Annual Leadership Conference, which took place in Charleston (SC) from April 29 to May 1, Paul Graham was appointed FEMA President. Paul brings vast experience of more than 35 years in the industry and has been an honoured member of FEMA for more than 10 years. He officially assumed his role on May 1, 2024, following his recognition by the association members and former President Laurette Rondenet.
FEMA, the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States, founded in 1909, is the preeminent national association of the U.S. flavour industry, dedicated to ensuring the availability of safe flavouring substances.
As President, Paul excitedly highlights, “I am deeply committed to leading FEMA through a period of evolution by creating and implementing a comprehensive strategic five-year plan. This will enhance collaboration among FEMA Committee Chairs, members, and stakeholders, while working together with IOFI (International Organisation of the Flavour Industry).”
Another central topic to Paul Graham’s agenda is advancing FEMA’s commitment to ensuring the safe and responsible use of flavourings through FEMA GRAS while fostering industry innovation. He is dedicated to improving outreach and membership engagement as well as making FEMA more accessible, strengthening programs like the FIL (Flavour Ingredient Library) and FEMA FLI (Future Leaders Initiative).
Consumers today lead more demanding lifestyles that drain their energy levels, fueling the need to relax and rejuvenate. As a result, they are proactive in seeking products that can support mental wellbeing. Brands are, therefore, working to develop ingredients that can ease stress and improve mental health, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
Meenakshi Haran, Lead Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The incidence of poor mental wellbeing is at its highest today with consumers generally feeling more stressed and anxious as they deal with challenging economic and social conditions. Indeed, mental wellbeing is a major concern (extremely/quite concerned) for American consumers as attested by 50 % of respondents in a recent GlobalData survey*”
Conscious of the negative health implications of an imbalanced lifestyle, many concerned consumers are paying greater attention to their emotional wellbeing and quality of life. Ingredient manufacturers have taken notice of this growing consumer pursuit of food and beverages that can help them relax and rejuvenate. In March 2024, Caldic North America announced its collaboration with Celesta Company to expand Caldic’s portfolio with Celesta’s proprietary ingredient blends and technologies, including SlumberMor and RnRMor, designed to improve sleep, mood, and relaxation. These innovative offerings are touted to help with functional innovations in the food and beverage industry.
Haran continues: “Millennials and Generation Y (58 % each) are the most concerned about their mental wellbeing, compared with other generations in the current situation*. This trend is driven by health-conscious consumers who are concerned about the impact of diet on mental health.”
Haran concludes: “This high concern motivates consumers to improve diets, carefully consider what ingredients are inside food & drinks, and seek lifestyle changes. Novonesis, a joint venture between Chr. Hansen and Novozymes unveiled a new ingredient, the MindAble 1714 probiotic designed to manage stress, targeted at the food industry. Food & beverage brands should consider launching products using innovative ingredients to align with consumers expectations.”
*GlobalData 2024 Q1 Consumer Hot Topics Survey – US, published in March 2024, 500 respondents
Glanbia plc, the Better Nutrition company, announced that it has entered into an agreement with the shareholders of Aroma Holding Company, LLC and related entities, the owners of Flavor Producers LLC to acquire the business for an initial consideration of USD 300 million plus deferred consideration (the “Transaction”).
Transaction overview and rationale
Flavor Producers is a leading flavour platform in the US, providing flavours and extracts to the food and beverage industries, with a focus on organic and natural ingredients. Glanbia will operate Flavor Producers within its Glanbia Nutritionals (“GN”), Nutritional Solutions business (“NS” or “Nutritional Solutions”).
The Transaction is consistent with Glanbia’s strategy of acquiring complementary businesses to grow its Better Nutrition platforms. Flavor Producers significantly expands NS’s flavours offering, bringing new capabilities in the attractive and growing natural and organic flavours market which are aligned with long term consumer trends.
Transaction highlights include:
Flavor Producers is a leading independent flavours business in the US which represents a synergistic fit with the existing flavours capability of NS;
Acquiring an established platform with a 40 year plus history, a strong team and a track record of innovation;
Excellence in R&D and proprietary ingredients with best-in-class formulation capabilities. Extensive flavour library and vertical integration into flavour extracts, facilitating clean label solutions;
Financially attractive margin and growth profile which will improve business mix within NS; and
Consistent with Glanbia’s balanced capital allocation framework and retaining a strong financial position post Transaction.
Transaction consideration, financing and closing
The initial consideration is USD 300 million with an additional deferred payment of up to USD 55 million, conditional on performance in 2024. Final consideration will also be impacted by the value of actual working capital and customary completion accounts at closing. The Transaction will be financed by Glanbia’s existing banking facilities and cash. Glanbia has a strong balance sheet with net debt of USD 248.7million at the end of FY 2023, a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of 0.5 times and USD 1.3 billion of committed debt facilities.
It is anticipated that the Transaction will close in the first half of FY 2024 subject to customary closing conditions and agreed completion accounts.
The Transaction is expected to be marginally accretive to Glanbia’s adjusted earnings per share in its first full year of ownership.
The Company’s current EUR 100 million buyback programme announced on 28 February 2024 is ongoing and is unaffected by this Transaction.
About Flavor Producers Flavor Producers was founded in 1981 as a family business in Valencia, California. They pioneered the development of natural and organic flavours by sourcing raw materials from nature. Plant-based flavour and extract creation is the Company’s specialty, with unique technologies that deliver transparently delicious taste to food and beverages. Today, Flavor Producers is a leading developer and manufacturer of natural and organic flavours in North America. Flavor Producers serves leading FMCG companies as well as high growth and emerging consumer brands. In the 12 months to February 2024, Flavor Producers delivered USD 86.1 million net sales and adjusted EBITDA (before non-recurring costs) of USD 19.7 million. The gross assets of Flavor Producers as at February 2024 were USD 321 million.
VOG Products recently added a very special product to its assortment: “apple compote with pieces”, in which the creamy texture of the apple mousse meets apple chunks, resulting in an unforgettable flavour. High-quality steamed apple chunks are combined with apple mousse to create a “ready-to-use” product.
Organic quality or integrated quality, sweetened or unsweetened, produced with a single variety or mix: the new apple compote mixes with apple chunks from VOG Products are an excellent example of products which can be customised to your preference. The cans with apple compote mixes with tender apple chunks are products entirely designed to meet customer needs.
Versatility and the fact that it can be used in a wide range of applications. (Photo: VOG Products)
The main features of this new product are its versatility and the fact that it can be used in a wide range of applications. Apple mousse with apple chunks is therefore a “wild card” in the world of food products: it is not only used as a base mixture for other recipes, but also as a ingredient for further processing by customers in the food and beverage industry. The many possible uses range from “ready-to-use” apple compote for hotels or canteens to fillings for bakery and confectionary. The mix, which is exclusively composed of fruit, also opens up interesting opportunities for the dairy industry.
Solutions tailored to customers
“We have always aspired to develop customer-specific solutions,” comments Christoph Tappeiner, CEO of VOG Products. “The apple compote with pieces are the result of in-house development. We focused on product customisation to enable numerous applications for our customers.”
“For the production of the apple mousse with pieces, we only use top-quality ingredients from controlled or integrated organic farming. This is all backed by our unique supply chain,” explains Tappeiner.
A unique supply chain
The producer organisation has an extraordinary supply chain that guarantees continuous availability, traceability, and guaranteed supply throughout the year. The “FROM: Italian Alps” seal also certifies that the raw materials come from VOG Products member growers. These members comprise around 6,000 family farms that supply the fruit-growing cooperatives with products made with great expertise and experience.
VOG Products The VOG Products producer organisation, based in Laives, is owned by two South Tyrolean producer organisations and 17 fruit-growing cooperatives. The company processes 300,000 to 400,000 tonnes of fruit from integrated and organic cultivation into apple juice (concentrate and NFC juice), purees and finished products. VOG Products exports 90% of its products to almost 50 countries worldwide. www.vog-products.it/en/
Strong customer demand & market potential are key drivers behind new production line
CP Kelco, a global leader of nature-based ingredient solutions, has completed a USD 60 million expansion in production capacity for its citrus fiber product line, based on strong customer demand and market potential. With this significant expansion, the company has ample capacity to support current and future customers’ citrus fiber supply needs.
The production line expansion for NUTRAVA® and KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber in the company’s facility in Matão, Brazil, increases the total capacity to approximately 5000 MT, establishing CP Kelco as a leading citrus fiber supplier to food, beverage and consumer product manufacturers worldwide. This expansion provides options to incrementally expand capacity even further in the future based on customer needs.
Launched in 2019, CP Kelco’s citrus fiber products are highly versatile and unique ingredients upcycled from citrus peels, a byproduct of the juicing industry. With the continued growth in consumer demand for clean-label, sustainable products, citrus fiber addresses the need for nature-based and easily recognisable ingredients in a variety of food, beverage and personal care products.
NUTRAVA® Citrus Fiber supports dietary fiber intake and offers unique water-binding, texturising and stabilisation capabilities in a wide range of food and beverage applications, from condiments, dressings and soups to bakery goods, dairy and plant-based products. In personal care products, KELCOSENS™ Citrus Fiber serves as a gentle emulsifier alternative, providing stabilisation and a light skin feel to help product developers create SENSational textures, from serums to gels and luxe creams.
The orange processing of the 2024/25 season may be intensified in May. Three of the major processors and other two small companies (tool) have been operating at the moment. At least three more units are expected to start activities still in early May.
In the same period of 2023, only three units were operating, and a fourth company started crushing in the second week of the month. This scenario indicates a higher intensity of processing activities this year. Although current volumes are not high yet, players from the industry say that some companies have started operating in order to avoid fruit losses in a year of low supply.
Prices at companies remain firm, reaching BRL 70.00 per box for fruits of the new season. In cases of higher volumes, values can be even higher.
Due to the increase of industrial activities, the downward trend of orange prices in the in natura market, verified in April, is likely to slow down, since producers will have the industry as an option to sell the product. In April, the average for the in natura pear orange, of BRL 91.28 per 40.8-kilo box, in tree, was 3 % lower than in March.
The demand for oranges, in turn, is expected to decrease in May, because of the supply of ponkan tangerine. Moreover, possible milder temperatures in the Brazilian autumn tend to reduce the consumption.
Tahiti lime
The rainfall favoured the development of the tahiti lime in São Paulo state, increasing the supply.
According to DataHorizzon Research, the Energy Drinks Market was worth USD 92.3 billion in 2022 and is projected to hit USD 220.9 billion by 2032, boasting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.2 %.
The surge in demand for energy drinks stems from their perceived ability to enhance both physical and cognitive performance. Market participants are promoting beverages devoid of sugar, glucose, and high fructose corn syrups as functional drinks that not only heighten alertness but also offer physical benefits.
Energy drinks have gained significant popularity as a supplement among teenagers and young adults in the United States, with a predominant consumption by men aged between 18 and 34. This surge in popularity can be attributed to the rising awareness of health and wellness, coupled with the increasing prevalence of sports activities among the younger demographic.
Recently, market players in the US have shifted their focus from targeting athletes to catering to the preferences of young consumers, reflecting the growing demand for mental alertness among this demographic.
Energy Drinks Market Report highlights:
The global energy drinks market growth is anticipated at a CAGR of 9.2% by 2032.
PepsiCo, Inc. announced two new nutrition goals as part of their strategic transformation to reduce sodium and provide essential sources of nutrition in the foods consumers reach for.
North America, particularly the US, has the highest per capita consumption worldwide. New product launches like ZOA cater to the increasing trend towards healthy organic diets.
In response to consumer preferences for healthier options, health-conscious brands are introducing a variety of sugar-free and calorie-free energy drinks. These products not only cater to the needs of athletes but also offer benefits for individuals who are overweight or obese. Additionally, sugar-free variants are particularly advantageous for those who are lactose intolerant.
Energy beverages, encompassing a wide range of options such as soft drinks, carbonated beverages, fruit and vegetable juices, beverage concentrates, ready-to-drink tea, and ready-to-drink coffee, are among the most commonly consumed beverages in the market. This diversity reflects the evolving preferences of consumers seeking convenient and functional beverages to support their active lifestyles.
Industry trends and insights:
Energy drinks are high-caffeine beverages that claim to improve physical and mental performance. Their popularity has contributed to the growth of the energy drinks market.
Monster Beverage Corporation acquired Bang Energy beverages and a production facility in Phoenix, Arizona, for approximately USD 362 million.
Energy drinks market segmentation:
By Product: Drinks, Shots
By Packaging: Cans, Bottles
By Distribution Channel: On-trade, Off-trade
By Region: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
Regional analysis
North America held the largest market share, with the US having the highest per capita consumption worldwide. The US has experienced a shifting trend toward a healthy organic diet due to increased awareness about overconsumption of caffeine beverages. Several new product launches, such as ZOA infused with vitamins and antioxidants, sustain the image of healthy energy drinks in the market.
Competitive analysis
The competitive landscape of the industry is characterized by a high degree of fragmentation, with global brands holding the largest market share, leveraging their extensive experience in regional markets. Leading players in this space include Red Bull, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co Ltd., PepsiCo. Inc., Monster Beverage, Lucozade, The Coca-Cola Company, Amway, AriZona Beverages USA, Living Essentials LLC, Xyience Energy, and others.
These companies have established partnerships with numerous retail and chain food service outlets, allowing them to maintain a strong presence across various sales channels. Their sustained market presence is reinforced by continuous product innovation and unique marketing strategies, which set them apart in this fiercely competitive industry.
Butterfly announced the separation of its portfolio company Bolthouse Farms into two standalone entities: Bolthouse Fresh Foods and Generous Brands. Bolthouse Fresh Foods will carry on the century-old legacy of Bolthouse Farms as a leading supplier of fresh carrots to retailers across North America, with nearly 700 million pounds of carrots sold annually. Generous Brands will encompass the market-leading premium fresh beverage and salad dressing businesses of Bolthouse Farms and Evolution Fresh.
Butterfly acquired Bolthouse Farms from Campbell Soup Company in a carveout transaction in 2019. Butterfly has implemented numerous strategic initiatives that have driven topline growth in excess of 30 % while re-establishing the company as a partner of choice to produce departments across North America. Bolthouse Farms also acquired Evolution Fresh from Starbucks in August 2022, uniting two powerhouse beverage brands with complementary product offerings, channel penetration and consumer bases.
This separation is being facilitated by way of separate debt recapitalisations of each business, enabling Bolthouse Fresh Foods and Generous Brands to continue onward as two separate companies with purpose-built strategies and leadership teams. Butterfly expects these transactions to enable accelerated growth via increased flexibility for investment in capabilities as well as acquisitions.
“We’re incredibly excited to announce the separation of Bolthouse Farms into two distinct industry-leading platforms, which will further propel the growth of these businesses and their ability to outperform for customers throughout the world,” said Adam Waglay, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Butterfly. “This separation was always part of our investment thesis, and we have recruited best-in-class leadership teams which are strategically aligned to each business so that Bolthouse Fresh Foods can focus on delivering high quality, fresh produce with excellent service and Generous Brands can become a strong, consumer-centric business with superior fresh beverage brands.”
Butterfly Operating Partner Jeff Dunn has been promoted from CEO to Executive Chairman of both companies, while two veteran food industry executives were brought in to serve as the respective go-forward CEOs of the companies. Timothy Escamilla, former President of Dole Fresh Vegetables, has been appointed CEO of Bolthouse Fresh Foods, while Steve Cornell, former President of Fresh, Beverages and Desserts at The Kraft Heinz Company, has been appointed CEO of Generous Brands.
“Bolthouse Fresh Foods remains dedicated to nourishing people’s lives by providing high-quality, nutrient-dense products that continue to thrive in today’s dynamic marketplace,” said Timothy Escamilla, CEO of Bolthouse Fresh Foods. Timothy joined Bolthouse Fresh Foods as CEO in May 2023 with 30 years of experience in the produce industry across leading companies such as Dole, Tanimura & Antle, Ready Pac Foods and more.
“Generous Brands is an exciting consumer-centric platform, with iconic and fresh beverage brands,” said Steve Cornell, CEO of Generous Brands. “This transaction will enable Generous Brands to meet the needs of more consumers through more innovation, new investments in our business, and acquiring complementary brands to take our platform to its full potential.” Steve joined Generous Brands as CEO in January 2024, bringing with him over 15 years of experience at Kraft Heinz, having led globally recognised brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia and Capri-Sun, among others.
“This separation is proof that the future of value creation within private equity is grounded in deep operational expertise and transformation through specialisation, and we could not be more appreciative of the amount of work, creativity and collaboration that went into this from all teams,” said Jeff Dunn, Executive Chairman of Bolthouse Fresh Foods and Generous Brands and Operating Partner of Butterfly. “It’s been amazing to watch the two entities develop their own unique cultures during the transition, and we are proud of the robust teams we have built across the companies. By separating, each business is now unleashed to drive its own unique growth strategy to ultimately deliver more fresh, healthy food for more people.”
The European Fruit Juice Association (AIJN) welcomes the approval by the European Parliament of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Aimed at addressing pressing sustainability concerns surrounding packaging materials, and especially waste, within the European Union, the outcome of the vote reflects a careful equilibrium between environmental imperatives and industry considerations.
The Agreement found between the EU Council and EU Parliament negotiators, adopted now by the EU Parliament represents a significant departure from the initial proposal put forth by the EU Commission. Regarding reuse for example, where the initial draft outlined specific non-alcoholic beverages subject to reuse targets, the text approved by the EU Parliament adopts a more encompassing and equitable approach. Under the revised PPWR, a single reuse target now applies to all beverages, whether they are alcoholic or non-alcoholic. This shift eliminates the need for a predefined list of products, thus ensuring that no item is excluded from the sustainability mandate (except for a few exemptions which are explicitly justified within the text).
Another important aspect of the outcome of the negotiation is the redistribution of responsibility for meeting these reuse targets. Unlike the original Commission’s proposal, which placed the burden both on manufacturers and final distributors, the version of the Regulation approved by the EU Parliament assigns responsibility to final distributors.
Specifically, the Regulation mandates that distributors making alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available on the market within a Member State must ensure that at least 10 % of these products are offered in reusable packaging within a system designed for re-use. This change will enable greater flexibility for all actors in delivering products in reusable packaging.
Moreover, the new target set for reuse represents a first step towards promoting circular economy principles within the packaging industry, all while acknowledging the industry’s needs. With a target of 10 % by 2030 and an indicative target for 2040, actors across the value chain, including consumers all around Europe, can adapt to increasing levels of reusable packaging and reuse systems. This ensures that the transition is mindful of the practical realities and requirements of businesses within the sector. This balanced approach promotes a steady transition towards a more circular economy, where resources are conserved, waste is minimized, and environmental impact is reduced. By January 1, 2034, the Commission will review the implementation of the 2030 targets, considering technological advancements and practical experiences. This assessment will evaluate the effectiveness of the targets in fostering sustainable packaging, feasibility of achieving 2040 targets, relevance of exemptions, conduct life-cycle assessments of single-use and reusable packaging and assess the need for setting new targets for the reuse and refill of other packaging categories. This review mechanism allows for adjustments based on results and real practices, ensuring that future ambitions for 2040 are informed by concrete evidence and practical experience.
Finally, the approval of PPWR underscores the critical role of packaging in preserving product freshness and quality while minimizing environmental impact. It highlights the imperative for sustainable packaging solutions that reconcile ecological stewardship with operational efficiency. In recognition of the unique challenges faced by highly perishable beverages, they are exempted from meeting this targets in the Regulation includes exemptions for such items.
AIJN believe the European Parliament’s vote on the PPWR reflects a balanced and pragmatic approach that seeks to reconcile environmental goals with the operational realities of the industry. As the Regulation progresses towards implementation, AIJN is willing and ready to engage in ongoing dialogue and collaboration to ensure effective compliance and meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future.
Link between happiness and hydration among Americans found in a survey* on water consumption habits
While it’s no secret that hydration is essential for health, a new survey commissioned by True Lemon and conducted by OnePoll uncovered its impact on overall happiness for Americans. Among the 2,000 respondents, 46 % who drank the most water (10+ glasses a day) said they were very happy compared to only 22 % of those who drank the least water (1 – 3 glasses a day).
Those that drank the most water also reported finding happiness and appreciating the little things in their days. They also try to improve their mood and fuel their day by staying hydrated (36 %), eating enough to avoid getting “hangry” (31 %) and taking walks (30 %). In addition, 61 % percent of those who drank more than 10 glasses of water a day said they used water additives or drink mixes and powders like True Lemon, while 59 % of those who drank the least water said they did not.
“There are so many health benefits to drinking water, but 43 % of respondents reported that water ‘tastes boring’ posing it as one of the biggest challenges to increasing their intake. The number one problem we solve for our customers is that we help them drink more water. In fact, in a recent study with over 4,000 of our customers, 94 % said we helped them drink more water every day,” said Heidi Carney, Executive Vice President, Marketing at True Citrus. “Adding a packet of True Lemon to your water allows you to reap all the hydration benefits of drinking water by making it delicious.”
*This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by True Lemon between Feb. 16 and Feb. 22, 2024. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
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