 As a new year approaches and Americans look ahead to a fresh start in 2021, an early roadmap for what’s to come can be gleaned by looking at trends that impacted the food and beverage industry during the last 12 months.
Not surprisingly, one common theme that appeared is the impact of the coronavirus. The pandemic brought to the forefront immunity-boosting ingredients as people looked to eat healthier and prompted grocers and retailers to make changes to their product mix by reducing the number of SKUs on store shelves. It also accelerated trends that are expected to remain hot next year, including the adoption of plant-based offerings.
Still, the industry found that despite the coronavirus, many trends that existed before the pandemic remained in 2020. The dairy industry continued to struggle, with Borden Dairy filing for bankruptcy in January nearly two months after Dean Foods. And sustainable packaging was top-of-mind, with companies such as PepsiCo and Diageo among those announcing plans to turn to paper bottles and other more environmentally friendly materials.
2020 was truly a pivotal year that will shape the future of food. During these unprecedented times, we appreciate your support as we made sense of the biggest stories that defined the year. As we enter into 2021, we kindly ask that you consider sharing our newsletter with your teammates and colleagues, to help them stay more informed in the new year. Share this link to get them signed up: https://www.fooddive.com/signup/insiders/?signup_referred_by=5f93078d7aa51972095c9316.
Food Dive hopes you enjoy our list of stories that cover some of the most popular trends this year. We wish you and your family a safe and enjoyable New Year. We’ll be back in your inbox again with our daily coverage of the industry on Jan. 4.
 Christopher Doering
Senior Reporter, Food Dive
Twitter | E-mail Deep Dive As the coronavirus pushes some items off supermarket shelves, the food industry is finding a smaller selection reduces consumer confusion, boosts sales and trims expenses for grocers. |
Deep Dive Coronavirus has shifted the reasons, processes and funds for new ideas and products, but manufacturers, funders and experts agree: Stopping the process is not an option. |
Deep Dive Sales for the category have exploded as the pandemic disrupts business as usual. Is this because people are turning away from animal-based eating, or is it keeping with the segment's trends? |
Dairy alternatives have gone from trendy to on fire in 2020, and analysts weigh in on what will keep the segment booming in the upcoming years. |
From honey and ginger to turmeric and oranges, the products that help consumers take better care of themselves are getting a lift. |
Analysts say the department has focused more on prosecuting executives because it is a more effective deterrent. Allegations are piling up as more seek leniency. |
Deep Dive The future of meat manufacturing could include 3D scanners and automated cutting. Tyson, Smithfield, Cargill and JBS are all looking at ways to incorporate more automation. |
Deep Dive Consumers stuck at home during the pandemic turned to their ovens for solace, but were met with empty shelves. Here's how companies plan to meet demand. |
Unilever and Tesco rank as the most advanced in their strategies toward alternative protein in FAIRR's study, while Costco, Kraft Heinz and Amazon are at the bottom. |
After years of multibillion dollar deals, companies like Conagra and Nestlé are focusing on acquiring smaller, trendier brands and selling divisions that don't meaningfully boost sales. | | |
0 Comments