Mintel announces three global food and drink trends for 2019

At this time of the year, food and drinks are very much on our minds, as we’re deciding on the menu for our Christmas lunch, or even the venue that offers the best festive food options for our company Christmas party.

Whatever we plan to do, will issues of sustainability, health and wellness,  one way or another, guide our decisions?  Recent reports point to the growing popularity of a Vegan lifestyle and that millennials are going teetotal.  Definitely festive celebrations are not as straight forward as it used to be.

Co-op Winter Dessert Collection.  The Co-op was the first, and continues to be, the only UK retailer to have 100% Fairtrade chocolate bar range. This winter they’re going all out with some spectacular festive flavours including sticky toffee pudding, double chocolate fondant and Christmas pudding chocolate treats.

According to Mintel, a leading market intelligence agency, three forward-looking trends which will lead the momentum of global food and drink innovation in 2019 and beyond in that issues of sustainability, health and wellness, and convenience will inspire formulation, packaging, marketing and more in the years to come:

In Mintel’s 2019 Global Food and Drink Trends report, the three trends revealed are as follows:-  

Evergreen Consumption: A circular view of sustainability that spans the entire product lifecycle requires action from suppliers to consumers.   

Through the Ages: Food and drink will build on today’s dialogue about wellness and transition into more solutions for healthy ageing. 

Elevated Convenience: To match the premium expectations of consumers in the on-demand age, convenience food and drink will get an upgrade.

La Riojana Tilimuqui Fairtrade Organic Malbec available at Waitrose. La Riojana’s Tilimuqui wine is grown in the remote north of Argentina where arid soils give rise to grapes bursting with ripeness. This is an intense Malbec that is a great accompaniment to any Christmas dinner, or to savour over cheese on a wonderful winter night!

Looking ahead, Jenny Zegler, Associate Director, Mintel Food and Drink, said: 

“In 2019, support of and demand for more corporate sustainability programmes will grow as consumers better understand what’s required to get closer to achieving a truly circular food and drink economy. These sustainability efforts will include not only improving access to recycling, but creating products with ingredients that are grown in accordance to regenerative agriculture practices.

“Expect to also see food and drink manufacturers look to the beauty and personal care industry for inspiration for healthy ageing product development. More food and drink will address longevity-related health concerns, be marketed with positive language that rejects terms like ‘anti-ageing’ for its negative connotations, and appeal across ages.   

The All Dark Vegan Chocolate Hamper Collection from Hotel Chocolat this Christmas.

“Finally, we predict the rising segment of consumers who are often on-the-go, yet want to spend more time at home will increase demand for upscale, ‘speed scratch’ solutions and restaurant-quality, ready-to-consume products. As meal kits and foodservice-inspired beverages lead the way, there will also be more opportunities for brands to develop healthy, flavourful, customisable, and quick premium convenience products for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert occasions.”