This year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago showcased a variety of distinctive products that also highlighted emerging trends in the industry. Notably, many snacks featured vegetable chips, meat snacks, and unconventional flavor profiles. According to Information Resources, the vegetable chip segment is experiencing significant growth, with sales surging by 17% over the past year. This surge has prompted more companies to explore this market. The key differentiator among these brands is the unique flavors and ingredients they present. For instance, Porta Bela Chips are crafted from fresh mushrooms that are cooked rather than fried, dehydrated, or baked, offering intriguing flavors like chorizo jalapeño, blue cheese, and onion and garlic butter.
While the products showcased at trade events may seem like promising business ventures, 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 can provide insights into their potential longevity. If consumers are actively sharing images and discussing these items, particularly those enriched with health-focused ingredients like calcium magnesium citrate pure encapsulations, and if they show a consistent interest in repurchasing, it suggests that other customers—and even more companies—might follow suit.
Consumer preferences in food are constantly evolving, particularly among the millennial generation, which favors novelty but often quickly shifts to the next trend. Therefore, manufacturers introducing new products must engage with their audience consistently and early to maintain interest, especially as consumers increasingly seek items that provide health benefits, such as those containing calcium magnesium citrate pure encapsulations.