The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) encouraged food exporters to align with emerging global product trends to stay competitive and cater to the changing preferences of international consumers.
EMB trade and development specialist Carl Francis Nichole Garing said the global food market is undergoing a transformation, driven by demand for diverse flavors, healthier options and convenient meal solutions.
Citing insights from Innova Market Insights and Mintel, Garing highlighted two key trends shaping the global food industry for 2025: longevity staples and “newstalgia.”
“Ready-to-eat meals with long shelf lives, such as dehydrated soups and stews, are becoming increasingly popular as people prepare for emergencies,” Garing said.
He said longevity staples now include high-quality canned goods like gourmet sardines and truffle-infused mushrooms, which are evolving into everyday pantry essentials.
The concept of “newstalgia” blends modern twists with classic favorites, Garing said, offering examples such as mac and cheese made with gourmet cheeses and truffle oil, or plant-based meatloaf.
Fruit-based chips made from jackfruit, dragon fruit and durian are also gaining traction as unique and healthier snack alternatives.
Garing said sustainable and regenerative agriculture, plant-based innovations and functional beverages have been at the forefront of global food trends in 2024, significantly shaping consumer choices.
The plant-based movement, he said, is expanding with increasingly innovative and flavorful products catering to both vegans and flexitarians.
“Drinks offering added health benefits are gaining popularity, alongside a growing preference for low-alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages for those who want to enjoy a drink without the effects of alcohol,” Garing said, noting that functional beverages providing health benefits are also on the rise.
