Regarding sweets and snacks, more consumers are placing importance on healthy and natural ingredients. Manufacturers are reacting to this with products like fruit gums made of vitamin C and zinc or organic teething biscuits for infants. Plant-based products and ingredients are still booming which is reflected by creative ideas for enriching foodstuffs with fibres.
Vegetable bars with parsnips or jackfruit crisps are just two examples. Instead of being limited down to conventional sorts, the focus lies more on unusual combinations. New flavours with exotic spices like Smoky Tandoori, Bloody Mary or Mussels in White Wine are in a position to increasingly conquer the market.
Countless products will be presented at ISM 2023, which not only picks up on these trends but which actually also set new ones. Natural sweets and snacks are also in demand because consumers often prefer them to highly processed foodstuffs, organisers said.
Upcycling
Upcycling and the holistic use of raw materials is another trend at ISM this year, with manufacturers relying on the sustainable usage of regional ingredients and the use of cocoa fruit in one single product instead of just the beans.
According to the German Confectionery Association (BDSI), 39% of consumers in Germany state that the theme of sustainability is important to them when buying sweets. This year's trends and the many products presented at ISM show that the manufacturers are reacting to this consumer need and developing their line-up on the market accordingly.
Chocolate
Koelnmesse also promises several interesting developments in the chocolate section, with companies relying on attributes like Fairtrade, low sugar, vegan and unusual flavours. “With a view to climate protection these aspects are particularly gaining significance among young consumers,” it said.
Plant-based
Plant-based products have also become an integral part of the sweets and snacks section. New examples include Bulgarian, vegan chocolate that is refined with tender rose petals, as well as gingerbread confectionery covered in plain chocolate that is offered in lemon and ginger or baked apple flavours. The market for vegan food has been growing rapidly for years, which is due to a growing awareness of the environment, health, and animal protection among consumers.