Expert take: Recipe for a plant-based future
The future is plant-based as demonstrated by its continued growth even in the face of economic turbulence worldwide. And as per our expert, Muhib Noor Rahman, this growth is only likely to accelerate with innovation leading the way across the supply chain.
Let’s take the conversation further…
What according to you are the top reasons for consumers preferring plant-based?
There are many reasons. The top one would be eco-conscious mindset of consumers who want to make a positive environmental impact through their consumption. Then, there are health reasons for a segment of consumers who are clinically sensitive to dairy products. And last but not the least is the flexitarian lifestyle in which consumers are reducing their meat and dairy intake for health or environmental reasons.
How can manufacturers offer more with their plant-based portfolio?
It is a fiercely competitive market. So, manufacturers need to take care of price points, offer a diverse product range, improve nutritional profile, and also communicate properly on all grounds, including sustainability. It has to be the whole package.
How do you think sustainability is driving this category forward?
Sustainability is one of the key drivers here as I mentioned. Plant-based has seen a staggering growth, especially in Europe and the Americas. And this has been largely driven by the eco-conscious consumption patterns in consumers. Manufacturers need to keep putting sustainability first in all their choices, from ingredient sourcing to packaging.
You spoke about how SIG is uniquely positioned to help customers succeed. Can you expand on that?
For starters, our team can help manufacturers test their products in prototype centers across the globe, facilitating product development and faster go-to-market with minimal overheads. And we can, of course, offer differentiation through our packaging portfolio like how we helped one of our key customers Hochwald stand out in the plant-based space.
With this expert take, we wrap up our ongoing discussion on plant-based for the time being. Don’t miss out on downloading the exclusive report and get an in-depth view including the trends in top ingredients and plant proteins. Watch this space for our take on functional beverages next or subscribe to our monthly newsletter for exciting insights on the food and beverage industry.
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