Trending in 2022
04/01/2022
Want to know what’s happening in the food sector in 2022? Here are our predictions..!
Changes are commonplace in the food sector and can develop from social media trends, tradeshows or even things out of our control; the Covid pandemic, for example. Essential have produce that meets all challenges and trends and we aim to make sure that your shelves are well-stocked!
There’s been an explosion of interest in vegan foods and creative dishes over recent years and there’s no doubt that the upward trend is set to continue in 2022. With our knowledge of wholefoods and the relationships that we have with organisations like The Vegan Society, we are able to certify that our own produce and those of other brands that we stock are of the highest quality. Plant-based meat alternatives are increasing and the expansion is expected to follow the same pattern as milk alternatives. Vegetables have historically been the sidekick on the plate, but they are set to be the dominant player going forwards. And they won't simply be dishes mimicking meats. They'll be a dish in their own right!
There’s also a trend for people who simply wish to reduce the amount of meat-based food they consume, particularly at the start of the New Year, so plant-based alternatives will become more and more important and the market share will increase.
Comfort foods became very popular during the pandemic. People harked for more reassurance in their lifestyles that had been so badly disrupted and baked goods were a huge go-to for wellbeing. Like many places, Essential’s flour and related supplies ran very low. But unlike many others, we didn't run out of stock thanks to an impressive buying team at the business. Banana bread quickly became one of the most popular foods in this instance; social media was suddenly busy with people making these fairly straightforward creations for the first time and it seemed like the nation wanted to treat themselves to something and put a bit of cheer back in their lives while keeping a healthy outlook. Similarly, more and more people began cooking from scratch during the pandemic. Many folk did have extra time on their hands after all! It’s estimated that a third of Brits began to accommodate this in their lifestyles.
Another upward trend is the younger generation who are getting more creative with their cooking. Twice as many 18 – 24 year olds are learning new skills in the kitchen, which far surpasses the over-50s quota. However, the younger generation also adopt a very on-the-go lifestyle. Following a significant slump in 2020, sales of ready meals have started to increase again, as have convenient cooking sauces like those stocked by Essential, for those who like to have a go-between of scratch cooking and food to go.
Sustainability has always been a concern for Essential. Our fair trading and ethical policies set a precedent for others to follow some considerable time ago. Healthy eating and the accompanying healthy planet are now top of many people’s agendas and this is certainly something to be celebrated. It’s been estimated that three-quarters of consumers try to lead a healthy lifestyle in tandem with an environmentally friendly aspiration. Alongside this is the ongoing campaign for better packaging and recyclability. Essential have long sought to retail produce in recyclable bags. We do package some of our range in paper (flour is a good example), but this is not suitable for many products for reasons of safety and longevity. However, our premiere pasta producers in Italy, La Terra, are switching to paper packaging for their pasta and will be recommending suppliers to us in the New Year. Price increases are inevitable in the food sector – particularly following the UK’s departure from the EU – and packaging that we can perhaps recycle ourselves could be a good way to redeem funds.
The Covid pandemic has brought with it some positive outcomes. Possibly most encouraging for Essential, our customers and indeed the planet, is that people have begun to buy local produce again. Independent food shops such as those Essential have been supplying for many years, have seen the benefit of hard work during the recent sour times. There has also been an increase in openings of new shops and delis and a surge in purchases from farm shops, like Ben’s Farm Shop in Devon with whom we have a long trading record. Many consumers are prepared to pay a little more for an item from a local shop to support the local economy and benefit the environment. This can only be a positive move.
The most significant trend in the food sector began to really take off in 2020 following years of steady increases, namely vegan milks. You might have guessed! According to research by Mintel, a third of Brits are using plant-based milks, up from a quarter in 2020. The total spend on plant-based milk, which also includes soya, rice and coconut, reached £394m, nearly £100m more than in 2019 when that figure stood at £298m. Oat milks are the most popular option in the UK but there are new selections on the market from innovative ideas. Potato milk is one such example, proving that sustainability and taste (I tried DUG at the London Coffee Festival in 2021 and can vouch for the taste!) can work together. Another example is barley milk which is predicted to be a significant player in the market in the near future, so watch this space and keep checking our website for offers.