In-Depth Analysis Of Global Food Raw Material Trends In 2024

Against the backdrop of rapid technological development, increasingly diverse and demanding consumer demands, evolving global trade patterns, and increasingly pressing environmental issues, the food raw material industry is about to embark on a new journey full of change and innovation. This article summarizes the trends in global food raw materials in 2024, especially the segmented health functions, providing valuable reference for the development of the food industry.

Intestinal health

With the increase in intestinal health problems, functional health ingredients are being deeply explored and utilized. Consumer demand for intestinal health products has grown, the scale of the probiotics market has expanded year by year, and diversified products such as prebiotics, synbiotic preparations, and probiotic metabolites have emerged. New raw materials such as probiotics and prebiotics, with their unique biological activity and functionality, provide new solutions for improving gastrointestinal health.

Sports nutrition

The epidemic and fitness craze have driven the expansion of the sports nutrition market, and the raw material side has shown a trend of diversified functions, such as muscle strengthening, joint relief, and strength recovery. Products such as pre-workout powder and creatine monohydrate have become hot products in the market.

Immunity enhancement

In the post-epidemic era, immunity has become a focus of attention, and the market size of immunity-enhancing foods continues to expand. 72-83% of consumers believe that a poor immune system is associated with susceptibility to long-term health problems. 70% of consumers worldwide have changed their diet and lifestyle to improve their immunity. Lactoferrin, a popular product on the market, is more popular. Lactoferrin, with its unique structure and biological functions, plays an important role in strengthening the body's iron absorption, fighting pathogens, immune regulation, and anti-oxidation. It is not only used in infant formula milk powder, but also gradually expanded to adult health foods, health products, cosmetics and other fields.

Enhanced cognition

The aging population has led to the growth of the cognitive function enhancement market, and raw materials meet the needs from the dimensions of improving cognition and enhancing memory. As a natural protein with multiple physiological activities, lactoferrin has shown potential in improving cognitive function and enhancing memory.

Emotional support

The increasing pressure of work and life has led to prominent emotional health problems, and stress-relief and sleep-aiding raw materials have attracted much attention, including plant extracts, amino acids and compounds. GABA and L-theanine can relieve stress and anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Oral beauty

The appearance economy promotes the development of the female health and beauty supplement market. Popular ingredients such as fish collagen peptide and sodium hyaluronate and niche ingredients such as astaxanthin and anthocyanins are attracting attention. The collagen market is showing a rapid warming trend and has become a widely used raw material in the field of food supplements. Nowadays, collagen has long broken through the traditional beauty category and achieved cross-border expansion into more market segments, such as sports nutrition and joint health. At the same time, from the specific application level, collagen is no longer limited to food supplements, but is widely added to more types of food form formulas, such as soft candies, snacks, coffee, beverages, etc. Its traces can be seen.

Protein pursuit

Consumers' demand for high-quality protein has increased, and food and beverage raw material companies have launched innovative protein solutions, such as plant-based protein, cell culture protein, microbial fermentation protein and insect protein.

 
Sugar reduction revolution

As the public's understanding of healthy diet continues to deepen, low-sugar sweeteners have become an important force that cannot be ignored in the food and beverage industry. Today's consumers are no longer satisfied with the pleasure of taste, but are more focused on those natural, low-sugar and low-calorie healthy choices. More and more food and beverage companies have keenly captured this trend and have increased their R&D investment, committed to cleverly integrating low-sugar sweeteners into various products. From refreshing thirst-quenching beverages to delicious baked goods, from delicate and smooth dairy products to snacks with unique flavors, low-sugar sweeteners can be seen everywhere, which not only satisfies consumers' desire for sweet taste, but also adds a guarantee for people's healthy life.