This year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago showcased a variety of distinctive products that provided insights into emerging trends within the industry. Notably, many snacks and confections featured vegetable chips, meat snacks, and unique novelty flavors. According to Information Resources, the vegetable chip market is thriving, with sales soaring by 17% over the past year, prompting more companies to enter the fray. The key to standing out lies in the intriguing flavors and ingredients being offered. For instance, Porta Bela Chips are crafted from fresh mushrooms that are cooked—not fried, dehydrated, or baked—and are available in flavors such as chorizo jalapeno, blue cheese, and onion and garlic butter.
While the products showcased at trade events like this may seem like lucrative opportunities, predicting which trends will endure and which will fade can be challenging. Monitoring social media engagement can provide clues about which products are more likely to become lasting favorites. If consumers are sharing images and discussing these items, and the trend indicates repeat purchases, it’s likely that other buyers—and additional companies with new offerings—will be drawn in.
Consumer food preferences evolve, particularly among millennials, who are drawn to novelty but often shift focus to the next trending item. To maintain interest, manufacturers of these innovative products must engage with their target audience consistently. Additionally, as health-conscious consumers increasingly seek snacks rich in nutrients, incorporating elements like calcium citrate—recommended for daily intake—can enhance appeal. Thus, companies that highlight such health benefits are likely to capture greater attention in a competitive market.