As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of food processing systems and equipment, Heat and Control is at the forefront of market trends. Food & Drink Business asked its processing sales manager Greg Pyne what the company is seeing in the snacking segment.
Q. Are there specific kinds of snacks you are seeing growth in?
While traditional snack foods like potato- and corn-based products are still seeing strong growth, nut products are seeing a surge in popularity. According to research from Mintel, 30 per cent of new snack product introductions within Europe so far in 2019 are nut products.
Healthy choices are pushing trends towards more vegan style diets, with more than 14 per cent of Australians now adopting a vegan diet. Similar trends are being seen in Europe, with one in five new snack product introductions vegan, and one in four new products gluten-free.
New product lines made from beans and chick pea snacks are also starting to gain popularity, with a projected growth of 25 per cent and 35 per cent through 2020, respectively. These snacks are suitable for vegetarians and are seen as a healthier alternative in the ‘better for you’ snacks category, which includes products such as grain snacks, veggie chips, lentils, pulse and legume and savoury snack bars.
These types of non-traditional savoury snacks are up by 9.6 per cent, representing over $3.5 billion in sales. Popcorn is also seeing a resurgence, with sales up by 4.5 per cent.
From 2011 to 2016, the beef jerky market in the UK and US grew 50 per cent. Australia is poised to follow suit in the meat snack segment, with a wave of niche, start-up operators entering the market. Australia is also home to the fourth largest paleo market in the world.
Jerky snacks are rich in protein, and are becoming more readily available in retail outlets and online as a substitute for cooked meats. Different product flavours, such as chilli and lime, teriyaki or smoky chorizo, are also attracting consumers into seeking jerky as a protein-rich option when it is snack time.
Q. What about new ingredients?
When it comes to the type of snack to choose, half of consumers are looking towards healthy snacks all or most of the time, according to Mintel.
While consumers are still looking to snack foods for convenience, they are becoming more concerned about the health benefits of what they are eating. Selecting products which contain natural ingredients and are lower in fat, salt and calories are having a greater influence in the decision making process.
Younger consumers who are concerned about their health, and what they consume, are tending to look towards snack products with higher sources of fibre and protein, as these sorts of foods can be seen to reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
