The end of the second millennium brought a huge development of industrial food production. Knowledge of nutritional physiology has deepened, new knowledge has emerged that food manufacturers put into practice by developing new types of foods. There are products on the market that respond to the changing consumer welfare. The main groups of new products include functional foods, food with a higher degree of alertness, called convenience, food based on genetically modified organisms and organic food.
Basic food industry trends
Therefore, basic European trends in food development can be defined as follows:
- Trend 1 – Originality – Food manufacturers are committed to adapting the best European food to industrial production so that they can be used by an increasing number of employed women and families with a small number of members and individuals.
- Trend 2 – Healthy – The emphasis on health is currently one of the main reasons for developing new products. There is a tendency towards prebiotic and probiotic components, the use of herbal products in foods and supplements and phytochemicals. In fact, the term “health product” in Europe is mostly a product to which something special has been added, not the product from which the harmful ingredient has been removed.
Other Trends
Reducing the Product Renewal Cycle – The more new products appear on the market, the higher the competition makes it more difficult for manufacturers to download less products. Beverages – the highest number of new products appears in this category. Drinks based on mineral water have grown significantly. Their consumption growth was 4% in western Europe, 10% in Eastern Europe. While the annual consumption of these beverages averages 65 l per person per year in Europe, the knee is 175 l in the US. Luxury products – these products are popular in Europe and the US. These are mostly different desserts and especially confectionery products.
This category also includes special meat and fish products with various difficult sauces and dressings. Poultry – its consumption is rising due to the decline in red meat consumption. It is offered in various modifications, so these products can be included in the category of ready meals and semi-finished products. Food for demographic groups – the greatest popularity and greatest development is achieved by a group of foods for children of different age groups, because it makes it much easier for the working mothers to work. These products also ensure that their composition matches the needs of children of each age category. As the European population is aging, the development of novel foods also focuses on products for the elderly. Especially in Germany, the production of food for diabetics and other groups of people for whom special nutrition is necessary is expanded.
Food industry sales in the third millennium
In the third millennium, food sales will require new forms to reflect the changing customer structure and requirements, as well as changes in production technologies. Over the next five years, according to experts, the food industry has to focus on two main priorities:
Simplify the final preparation of food as much as possible so that the consumer can easily adapt to the food, reduce their production so that the consumer can buy them.
According to the ideas of marketing experts, the stores will be arranged to allow customers the most comfortable purchase possible. The so-called one-stop shopping trend is being promoted.
In the years to come, consumers can be expected to find quality, freshly prepared dishes that can be bought and taken home if they lack time. The solution is to create a new type – a cross between the supermarket and the restaurant. It is expected that this type will be greatly expanded in 2005.
New strategy
Today’s supermarket chains are preparing their new strategy to defend against emerging competition and will have to make radical changes – from the internal arrangement of shops to new customer service techniques.
The trend of the coming years will therefore be focused on expanding the range of ready meals, which should be easily reached everywhere. The dishes offered will be very varied and varied, including an offer of ethnic dishes. As part of the renovation of the current department stores, restaurants with a range of quality meals will be set up, which can be consumed on site, wrapped around for disposal, or sent home purchases.
With the rapid development of computer technology and the expansion of the Internet, it is likely that such households will become a virtual shopping mall. It can be assumed that this type of purchase will be of great interest and popularity, and the food business company is already preparing to implement these plans.
