Food Manufacturing Trends for Next Year

Whether it be new technological advancements or pressures on the global supply chain, food manufacturing trends are shaped by many influences. Similarly, dietary trends like the farm-to-table movement have enough staying power to affect how food is produced on a commercial scale. Whatever the reason might be, the food manufacturing industry is a dynamic field that sees evolutions and upheavals on a regular basis. 

As a leading recruiting service in the food manufacturing space, M&F Talent keeps up to speed with the latest trends in the industry. Not only are we in close contact with our candidate network in food production, but our clients also keep us informed on new developments in food tech, as well as industry best practices. 

As we make our way into Quarter 4, here are some key food manufacturing trends to keep in mind for 2023. 

Sustainable Practices 

food manufacturing trendsWith environmentalism growing increasingly important each year, sustainable business practices are one of the biggest trends in the food manufacturing industry. As more and more consumers are willing to pay extra for sustainably produced food, the industry has no choice but to take notice.

One of the areas of modern food production that has been receiving criticism lately is commercial farming. Not only do mono-cropping practices leach the soil of valuable nutrients, but excessive fertilizer runoff in waterways can lead to devastating algae blooms. Even more, fresh crops are often shipped thousands of miles before finally being sold to consumers – a practice that consumes massive amounts of fossil fuels. 

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) is gained a good deal of popularity in recent years due to the environmental movement. In like fashion, food manufacturers are using biodegradable packing and seeking to cut down on fossil fuel consumption with shorter shipping routes. 

Technology & Automation 

As seen in nearly every industry, new technologies shape the way that people produce food. Whether it be process improvement throughfood manufacturing trends increased automation or figuring out ways to grow crops closer to home, technology will be one of the biggest influences on the food manufacturing space in 2023. 

One of the largest motivators for increased automation in the food production space has been the COVID-19 pandemic. As seen in fields, the food manufacturing business was hit hard by labor shortages during COVID-19. To ensure that food still makes it to grocery stores and restaurants, food manufacturers have poured major resources into R&D for increased automation. Due to the unreliability of the workforce, the goal of more automation in food manufacturing has been to lessen our dependency on human labor. 

While not having enough employees on hand is the major impetus behind increased automation in food production, efficiency is also a major consideration. In the end, it’s often easier to control spending on new technology than it is to regulate labor costs. 

Plant-Based Food Products 

food manufacturing trendsWhile the plant-based food movement was originally considered a fad by many, it has gained more momentum each year. In fact, plant-based food products are not only popular among vegetarians and vegans. People are also attracted to plant-based foods for environmental reasons and health-related issues. 

People concerned about the environmental impacts of the meat industry are also experimenting more with plant-based food products. According to the Guardian, “the global production of food is responsible for a third of all planet-heating gases emitted by human activity, with the use of animals for meat causing twice the pollution of producing plant-based foods, a major new study has found.” 

Another thing drawing people to plant-based foods is the fact they are a healthy alternative to meat products. Especially for people who suffer from ailments like high blood pressure, switching from red meat to plant-based food is a wise choice. 

Transparency in Food Production 

As seen with other food manufacturing trends in 2022, transparency in food production is mostly related to environmentalism and healthyfood manufacturing trends living. To sum it up, more people have questions today about where their food comes from than ever before. 

Certain parties feel a real moral obligation to know exactly where ingredients are sourced from. For example, some individuals will only eat meat from animals that are raised in certain conditions – such as “grass-fed” and “free range.” In like fashion, many people are skeptical about consuming genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 

To meet the demands of transparency in food production trends, businesses are advised to provide as much information as possible about their products. As purchasing habits will continue to trend toward sustainability and healthy eating, we will only see more and more demand for this type of labeling and transparency in the future. 

Questions About Food Manufacturing Trends?

Are you a food production or technology company in need of top talent? Are you a candidate who is looking to advance their career in the food manufacturing space? Whatever your question, contact info@mandfconsultants.com to learn more.