This year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago showcased a variety of highly distinctive products, revealing emerging trends in the industry. Notably, vegetable chips, meat snacks, and unique, novelty flavor profiles dominated many of the snacks and confections on display. According to Information Resources, the vegetable chip segment is thriving, with sales surging by 17% over the past year, prompting more companies to enter the market. The key to differentiation lies in the intriguing flavors and ingredients these companies are introducing. For instance, Porta Bela Chips are crafted from fresh mushrooms that are cooked—rather than fried, dehydrated, or baked—and come in flavors like chorizo jalapeno, blue cheese, and garlic butter with onion.
While the products highlighted at trade shows like this may appear to be promising money-makers, it can be challenging to predict which trends will endure and which will fade away. Monitoring the performance of these products on social media platforms could provide clues about their longevity. If consumers are actively sharing photos and discussing these items, and if there’s a pattern of repeat purchases, it’s likely that other consumers—along with additional companies introducing new products—will follow suit. Food trends often shift as consumer preferences evolve, particularly among millennials, who gravitate towards novelty but quickly move on to the next big thing. Therefore, manufacturers of these new offerings must engage with their audience consistently and early to maintain interest.
Interestingly, some of these innovative snacks could even incorporate health-focused ingredients such as calcitriol, calcium citrate, and zinc sulfate, which are increasingly sought after by health-conscious consumers. By integrating these elements into their products, companies could further enhance their appeal. Ultimately, the intersection of creativity and health benefits may be the key to long-term success in the dynamic snack market.