In the dynamic landscape of culinary preferences and dietary habits, food trends emerge and evolve, influencing not only what we eat but also shaping opportunities within the agribusiness sector. From the rise of plant-based diets to the resurgence of ancient grains, almost every food trend serves as a window of opportunity for agricultural producers, processors, and entrepreneurs to innovate, diversify, and capitalize on evolving consumer demands. Brazilian farmers seem to be ready to embrace all of them.
FFood trends reflect consumers’ collective preferences, values, and concerns regarding health, sustainability, ethics, and cultural influences. In the last few years, it seems that the world is feeling the pressing need for transformation in food systems to combat perennial issues like unhealthy nutrition, food insecurity, and public health problems exacerbated by factors such as reliance on processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and fast food consumption.
This suggests that the intersections of food security, nutrition, and technological innovation, with a focus on their impact on human health and sustainable value chains, are driving these trends. In essence, it seems we are confronting various challenges and seeking solutions to address them comprehensively.
Healthy eating is now imperative for survival
The rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases globally emphasizes the impact of lifestyle changes observed worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs kill 41 million people each year. It means that they are responsible for 74% of all global deaths. The WHO also has shown a better diet as a strong ally in the fight against these diseases, which is why many food trends arise in the context of alleviating the problem with one or more of these diseases.
With a huge diversity of fruits and occupying the position of the third-largest fruit producer in the world, Brazil is still shy in exports – around 1 billion dollars – and seems to be dedicating these tropical delights to Brazilians. But at the same time, it still places itself in the position of one of the largest potential suppliers of unprocessed fruits and vegetables.
In the same way, snack-based diets may lead consumers to miss out on vital nutrients despite the convenience and indulgence snacks offer. So the demand for healthy snacks is expected to continue growing in the long term. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the consumption of nuts and chestnuts in the world is growing by 7% per year, according to the International Nut Council (INC). With this in mind, Brazilian farmers seem willing to introduce more and more of these products into the market, including national specialties such as Brazilian and cashew nuts.
Regardless of your preference in sourcing, Brazil is prepared to provide a wide range of protein options.
With an improvement in nutrition accompanied by an increase in family income, the search for protein foods tends to increase to meet consumption patterns and lifestyles more associated with sports. It seems that Brazilian farmers are already inside these trends.
When it comes to the production of animal proteins, Brazil is known for its prominent position in the production and export of beef, pork, and chicken on the international market. Furthermore, in the domestic market, Brazilian farmers find a huge demand for dairy products and eggs, which they supply with mastery as well.
The exponential growth of plant-based diets has also been an opportunity for Brazil, and it seems to be prepared to keep its position as a global agricultural powerhouse. This shift has spurred a wave of innovation in the Brazilian agribusiness sector, with companies investing in locally sourced plant protein sources such as soy. For this grain, Brazil is also leading the production and its exports worldwide. The same the country is trying to do with pulses crops such as beans, peas, chickpeas, and lentils, and Brazilian farmers may already have opened a large window of opportunity with the cultivation of these grains in rotation with other crops such as soybeans, corn, and cotton.
Sustainable and ethical consumption has become a tangible reality
With increasing awareness of environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and social responsibility, consumers are placing greater emphasis on the origins and production methods of their food. This trend aligns with Brazil’s reputation as a global leader in sustainable agriculture, with initiatives such as the Brazilian Forest Code aimed at promoting responsible land use and conservation. Agribusinesses in Brazil are up to capitalize on this trend by investing in traceability, transparency, and certifications to meet consumer expectations for sustainable and ethically sourced products.
In the near future, the country probably will be ready to receive, either directly in the carbon market or as added value in its products, payment for the ecosystem services provided to the world through the use of low-carbon agricultural techniques, maintenance of native vegetation, and the sustainable use of the greatest biodiversity on the planet.
This is where consumer trends and the wide availability of technological tools create an intercession in favor of exposing the country’s agri-environmental excellence.
Food security must not be regarded as a passing trend
Nutrition policies to restrict concerning ingredients are forthcoming and growing, and this has been increasingly common in packaging as well. In the same way as all previous trends, the composition of micro and macronutrients has also been a constant in the search for more adequate nutrition.
But what little has been said about all these trends is the population’s ability to pay for access to food, regardless of which trend is trending at the moment.
Research conducted by Euromonitor International reveals that despite the majority of consumers believing they have a good understanding of what constitutes a healthy diet, half of them assess their dietary habits as neutral or even unhealthy. This is primarily attributed to factors such as cost, time constraints, and personal preferences, which often hinder the adoption of optimal dietary practices.
Worse than that are the latest statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which indicate that hunger affects approximately 9.2% of the world’s population. A growing trend after the COVID-19 pandemic, worsened by global food inflation and other geopolitical problems such as the war between Russia and Ukraine.
With this information, it is worth highlighting that despite its diversity and effort to meet all consumer trends, Brazilian farmers’ greatest commitment is to food security.
Thus, the use of sustainable practices, new technologies, and risk management mechanisms is a constant among Brazilian farmers in order to reduce food insecurity in Brazil and around the world.
Maciel Silva – Deputy Technical Director of The Brazilian Confederation of Agricuture and Livestock