Population growth, urbanization, age and family structure of the population, income and access to education and information are some of the factors that determine consumer behavior, as well as their consumption habits.
If, in the past, these movements took years or even decades to be able to produce substantial changes in consumer choices and preferences, currently, due to the intensity with which they occur, there is an exponential reduction in the time intervals required for more significant transformations.
The food industry must remain alert to the trends and challenges of this new demand scenario to maintain its competitive position. With rising income and purchasing power, as well as greater access to information, the challenge is to produce goods that meet the demands of an increasingly critical consumer.
Studies such as the Brasil Trend Food Program analyzed consumption trends, grouping them into five categories:
1. Sensoriality and Pleasure
2. Health and Well-being
3. Convenience and Practicality
4. Reliability and Quality
5. Sustainability and Ethics
In short, the "sensoriality and pleasure" trends are related to the population's rising levels of education, information, and income, among other factors. In several countries, consumers are valuing the culinary arts and gastronomic experiences, influencing both the food service sector and the development of industrialized products.
The "convenience and practicality" trends, on the other hand, are driven primarily by the pace of life in urban centers and changes in traditional family structures, factors that stimulate demand for products that save consumers time and effort. This is why there is a growing demand for ready-made and semi-prepared meals, easy-to-prepare foods, and easy-to-open, easy-to-close, and easy-to-dispose of packaging, particularly microwaveable products, as well as delivery services and products.
More aware and informed consumers tend to demand safe and quality-attested products, valuing the guarantee of origin and quality seals, obtained from good manufacturing practices and risk control, summarizing the trends of "reliability and quality" where characteristics such as traceability and guarantee of origin, quality and safety management system certificates, informative labeling and other forms of communication that companies can use to demonstrate the attributes of their products, are becoming increasingly valued.
Finally, “sustainability and ethics” trends have led to the emergence of environmentally conscious consumers who are also interested in the possibility of contributing to social causes or helping small farming communities through the purchase of food products.
From a social perspective, there has been increasing interest in products linked to social causes, with fairtrade certificates of origin, as well as a growing appreciation for companies with evaluated programs and social responsibility certificates.
With the macro theme "How to understand and meet the new desires of a more demanding and diverse consumer seeking food as a source of health?", the NIS Congress will address these and other market trends in an innovative event.
Don't miss out! Click here to register for the virtual event taking place on November 9th and 10th, featuring online lectures and visits to virtual booths. And plan ahead for the in-person event on May 24th and 25th, 2021.
