Food industry leaders are leveraging trends and consumer insights to design new innovative products and packaging, based on our ever-increasing focus on health, fitness and convenience. I’ve noticed that even the way we think more globally has touched off an explosion of new flavor ideas that are now being marketed and introduced into our consciences as a regional delight. (Think about how items like Peruvian, Brazilian and Argentinean chocolates now have their own distinctive tastes and identities in the minds of consumers.)
We are seeing an expanding population base, rising disposable personal income levels, smaller household sizes and a heightened demand for more convenient foods, all trends driving new innovations in food packaging.
Freshness is also of huge interest to packaging innovators. According to industry experts, the demand for food containers in the
United States is forecast to climb 3.3 percent per year to $23.5 billion in 2011.
This will be will be stimulated by trends toward value-added packaging that provides freshness protection and increased convenience.
A new study titled, “Food Containers: Rigid & Flexible,” from Cleveland-based industry research firm Freedonia Group, predicts that paperboard, metal and glass food container segments will continue to lose ground to plastic containers, and bags and especially pouches. The group says that growth will be driven by stand-up pouches based on their excellent visual appeal, product differentiation, convenience, portability, reclosability and freshness protection.
Most of the total food container demand last year came from grain mill products (which include pet food), fruits and vegetables, dairy products and baked goods. Fastest gains are expected for meat and related products, dairy products and frozen specialties, reflecting expanded offerings of convenience-oriented products, which often use value-added packaging materials for extended freshness.
I’m already noticing new innovative ideas popping up in the produce aisle for bags, pouches and plastic containers. Next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to take note of these fresh and flavorful trends.
