Five Trends Driving the Specialty Food Industry in 2022
Comfort is Key: Consumers stay with comforting specialty foods, drinks say SFA’s Trendspotter Panel.
In 2021, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) Trendspotter Panel virtually assembled at three separate digital SFA shows to research thousands of specialty food and beverage products from around the world. After recording their extensive findings, Denise Purcell, vice president, content and education for the SFA, pored over the data and deciphered five trends that will drive the growth of the $170.4 billion specialty food industry in 2022.
"As we head into a second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, comfort is an overriding theme," said Purcell. "The events of the past 18 months have consumers seeking out familiar and comforting foods and beverages, but often with a twist for some excitement, or with specific diets and health concerns in mind."