2025 Food and Beverage Trends

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"The Trendspotter Panel came away with exciting findings that range from Instant Global Gratification to the impact of small farms and Hawaii as Terroir. I look forward to seeing how these trends show up across the industry in 2025 and beyond."
-- Bill Lynch, president, SFA

From the refrigerated case to the freezer, dairy processors old and new, big and small are addressing every on-trend aspect of dietary needs, better-for-you functional health, global flavors and snacking.

Overall US bakery launches grew by about 1% in 2024. The category was led by cakes, pastries and sweet goods with a 12% increase in launches versus the prior year.

Circana’s global research, From Growth to Transformation: A Global Private Label Perspective, explores regional approaches to private brands across the European Union, Australia, and the United States.

Circana’s 39th annual “Eating Patterns in America” report highlighted the growing year-over-year trend toward at-home dining, with 86% of eating occasions sourced from home.

Despite inflationary concerns, Innova Market Insights tracking data show cereal and snack bar innovation grew in 2024 with new product launches up by just more than 1%.

Of seven plant-based dairy categories, only plant-based creamers posted annual dollar and unit sales gains in 2023, according to SPINS data customized for the Good Food Institute (GFI) and Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA).

The SKU Spring '25 selected brands are Fairly Nuts, good dirt, Kobi, Niramaya, PetPax Co, pi00a, Rookie's and Saint Rocco's Treats. Pi00a, which makes Neapolitan pizza frozen pizza with an Asian flair, is SKU’s first brand founded by Deaf and CODA entrepreneurs.

Chocolate confection processors faced skyrocketing 2024 cocoa prices following intense rain and severe drought conditions in West Africa’s cacao growing regions. Not surprisingly, confectionery innovation was flat in 2024, with double-digit declines in new product introductions.

These trends reflect a dynamic market where consumers are looking to their drinks to deliver bold experiences, comforting familiarity, health-conscious options, and functional benefits.