Catering to adventurous consumers is key for 2019, says Innova Market Insights

Targeting increasingly adventurous consumers, set on new discoveries and experiences, will be key to developments in the food and beverage industry in 2019, according to Innova Market Insights.” The connected world has led consumers of all ages to become more knowledgeable of other cultures, contributing to 35 per cent growth of ‘discovery’ claims, when comparing 2017 and 2016 new product launch numbers, according to its latest research. 
Innova Market Insights’ top five trends for 2019 are:
1. Discovery: the Adventurous Consumer
The food and beverage industry is increasingly focusing on satisfying the
adventurous consumer. Consumers are moving out of their comfort zones to
explore bolder flavors and multi-sensory food experiences. There is a focus on
heightened sensory delivery, often combined with an element of the
unexpected.
2. The Plant Kingdom
The plant-based market shows no signs of slowing down. Companies and
brands are greening up their portfolios to attract mainstream consumers who
want to add more plant-based options into their diets. 
3. Alternatives to All
As more consumers pay attention to health and sustainability, replacement foods
and ingredients are on the rise. Health remains the number one reason to buy
food alternatives, with one in two US consumers reporting that health is a
reason for buying alternatives to bread, meat or dairy. The search for
alternative proteins has resulted in a rising use of black beans, lentils, peas,
rice, nuts & seeds, chickpea, and even insects, as protein ingredients for
foods.
4. Green Appeal
A bid to answer customer expectations around sustainability is driving corporate goals, as manufacturers commit to sustainable product and packaging development with a range of initiatives. This includes waste reduction through up-cycled ingredients and post-consumer
recycling, as well as improved biodegradability and new technology,
such as compostable capsules and vegetable inks.
5. Snacking: the Definitive Occasion
For most consumers, snacking is a part of daily life and always has been.
What is changing, however, is the way people think about snacking and what
is considered a snack. Snacking is no longer the optional extra, but the
definitive occasion. It is a central focus of innovation across all food and
beverage categories, with 10 per cent average annual growth of global food
and beverage launches with a snacking claim over the past five years (CAGR
2013-2017).