Some of the hottest food and beverage trends were on show at the Naturally Good Expo and the co-located Fantastic Food+Drink show, which kicked off on Sunday at ICC Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour.
The trade-only show, which has just been acquired by Diversified Communications Australia, organiser of the Fine Food Australia, Commercial Drinks, foodpro and Foodtech Qld shows, featured food industry pioneers and a new generation of entrepreneurs showcasing their organic, natural and health products, and some premium products as well.
Kombucha on tap, and jerky with different types of positioning were among the budding trends at the show, noted Innova Market Insights' Glen Wells.
At an informal briefing held alongside the show, Bob Burk, the principal of Natural Products Consulting in Boston, revealed his list of hot new categories in the health and speciality market.
Wellness shots, fermented food and drinks, HPP beverages, and maple water are on the rise, he says, and ingredients to watch are matcha and mushroom.
Cauliflower has been dubbed the new kale, according to Burk, and coconut will continue its rise into new categories such as cold brewed coffee.
Lisa Mabe CEO of Green Purse PR, Washington DC talked about the changing shopping habits of millennial female shoppers around the world.
She described retail concepts that resonated with millennials, such as curated store sections stocked with products specifically targeting them, and a grocery e-commerce operator that lets its consumers shop according to their values - sustainability, ethics or GMO.
Mabe listed a number of ways brands can better connect with millennials, such as creating a unique, share-worthy experience, showing them how your products fit into their lifestyle, and offering them stories and content that make them feel good about buying your products.
For six stand out product ideas from the show, click here.
