WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF FLAVOR FORECASTING?
Those in the food and beverage industry know how vitally important the predictions of the upcoming year’s flavor trends can be to stay ahead of consumers’ tastes and preferences as they evolve.
Based on our research in 2024, we found that the trend predictions from major forecasters didn’t match up with actual sample data in most cases. This highlights the urgent need for food and beverage product developers to access trend data that is more closely tied to actual market performance. It’s also a clear reminder of how real-world consumer behavior can disrupt the predictions of the industry’s most seasoned analysts.
THE REPORT
As the year ended, we took a look back at some of the biggest flavor trend predictions made at the beginning of last year and put them up against data collected from real-world results. This analysis reveals how three of the biggest flavor trend predictions of 2024 fared in the food and beverage marketplace.
In this research article, we look back at some of the biggest flavor trend predictions from the industry last year and put them up against data collected from our own real-world results. The actual outcomes might surprise you. As a bonus, we also reveal our predictions for 2025.
2024 TAKEAWAYS
The single biggest takeaway from 2024 may well be that while predictions based on surveys and analytics may offer strong starting points when it comes to predicting trends, more robust methodologies based on continuing analysis are needed for those who want to keep current and competitive in rapidly shifting markets.
Last year’s industry predictions did manage to forecast smaller upticks in niche and wellness-driven flavors. However, it was aggregate data that truly revealed the trends in consumer demands — especially toward indulgent, functional, and bold flavors.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN 2024?
We analyzed sample request data to identify trends, evaluated how these findings aligned with industry projections, and examined year-over-year trends (2023-2024).
WHAT’S NEXT FOR FLAVOR TRENDS IN 2025?
In the first part of the report, we demonstrated that flavor trend predictions tied to real-world sample data more accurately forecast consumer buying behavior than survey- and analytics-based predictions alone. However, combining both data sources gives manufacturers the best chance of identifying flavor trends most likely to succeed in the coming year.
While external mainstream forecasters have been correct about 2025 in a narrow sense, their field of vision has been limited to the segment of refined luxury. Custom Flavors aggregate data, by comparison, sees the broader consumer market. This means it reveals a great deal of what’s been hidden from most industry trendspotters: the steady increase in vibrant familiarity — only this year within cleaner, more contemporary formats.
DON’T MISS OUT ON MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
Download the Report or schedule a meeting with a Custom Flavors representative to learn more about the up-and-coming flavor trends for 2025.
