The food and beverage industry is changing rapidly, affecting what consumers want and how businesses will respond to them in 2025. The future of food is more exciting than ever, with bold flavours and sustainable solutions. New trends constantly influence consumers and businesses. Food businesses, wholesalers, and retailers need to keep up with the changes. Keeping up with wholesale trends in food and beverages helps companies expand their offerings and maintain a competitive advantage. Food and beverage trends will dominate the market in 2025. Let’s look at them in more detail.
Key Trends for 2025
1. Plant-Based Revolution Continues to Dominate
In 2025, the market for plant-based foods is expected to grow rapidly. The demand for plant-based food is expected to grow significantly by 2025. The plant-based food market in Europe is expected to reach PS10 billion by 2024 and increase 6.7% per year. This growth is a reflection of a shift in eating habits towards healthier, more sustainable foods.
Wholesalers should stock a variety of vegan items, including vegan snacks, vegan cheeses and plant-based meats. Restaurants, cafes and supermarkets will be more likely to respond to the growing demand by offering unique and innovative options.
Functional Foods and Beverages
Functional foods and drinks are becoming increasingly popular. These products are intended to offer additional health benefits, such as improving gut health or stress reduction. Globally, functional food sales are expected to reach PS250 billion by 2025.
Trending functional products are kombucha and protein-enriched snacks. They also include drinks with adaptogens or turmeric. These categories offer healthy options that food businesses should explore.
3. Zero-waste and Sustainable Products
Consumers continue to prioritize sustainability. A recent survey found that 75% of consumers consider sustainability in their purchasing decisions. This trend drives demand for eco-friendly packaging, sustainable sourcing, and zero-waste products.
Businesses in the food industry can meet this need by working with suppliers that practice ethical sourcing and focus on biodegradable products. Your commitment to sustainability will help you attract environmentally aware buyers.
The Rise of Convenience Meals
Due to a busy lifestyle, demand for convenient and ready-to-eat food is increasing. By 2025, the European ready-to-eat market will grow at a rate of 5% per year. The consumer wants quick meals that are healthy and don’t sacrifice quality.
Popular choices include gourmet frozen foods, pre-portioned meal kits, and grab-and-go snacks. Food wholesalers should take advantage of this by offering their B2B customers a variety of convenient food products.
Fusion Cuisine and Global Flavours
Never before have consumers been so open to bold, diverse and global flavours. Fusion cuisine, which combines unique ingredients from various cultures, is becoming more popular. Popular flavours include Korean barbecue, Middle Eastern spices and African superfoods.
Wholesalers can meet this demand by supplying exotic ingredients and products ready for fusion. These products can be used by businesses like cafes and restaurants to create innovative and exciting menus.
6. Alcohol-Free Beverages and Low ABV Drinks
Alcohol-free beverages are gaining in popularity due to the trend towards moderation. Cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are also becoming more popular. The no/low alcohol market is expected to grow by 31% in 2023.
Businesses should offer a wide range of non-alcoholic beverages. These products are aimed at health-conscious customers and those who want alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages.
7. Personalized Nutrition
The food industry is increasingly focusing on personalized nutrition. It is developing products that meet the unique needs of consumers, including gluten-free, allergen-free, or keto-friendly foods. Globally, the personalized nutrition market will reach PS12 billion in 2025.
Food wholesalers can support this trend by providing products tailored to specific dietary requirements. This allows businesses, particularly cafes and restaurants, to offer customized menu options.
How food wholesalers can help food businesses
Food service businesses must partner with wholesalers to keep up to date on the latest trends, particularly when it comes time to embrace them. Food businesses in the Midlands and the UK can use these trends to meet changing customer demands, including the demand for sustainable practices and plant-based products. Wholesalers provide access to a wide range of products, including trendy ingredients such as plant-based proteins and exotic flavours. They also offer sustainable packaging. Wholesalers provide competitive pricing and bulk buying options and help businesses manage costs and maintain a diverse menu. Wholesalers also provide valuable insights into the market, which allows companies to anticipate and align themselves with 2025’s food and beverage trends, giving them a competitive advantage.
