The 2006 edition of AC Neilsen's What's Hot Around the World – Insights on Growth in Food & Beverage Products sizes up the fastest-growing categories and product areas across 66 key markets. The findings are significant because they reflect on the spending habits of the more than 75 percent of the world's population, who contribute over 90 percent of global GDP.
Healthy ingredients makers have been cashing in on consumers' increasing cravings for healthy products, all the while companies stimulate this interest through awareness campaigns and advertising.
"As populations age in developed markets, consumers have become more concerned with eating healthier – losing a few pounds, reducing their cholesterol and increasing their fibre," says the report. "At the same time, newer, emerging markets are showing signs of building infrastructure to modernise their food distribution channels."
At 18 per cent, yoghurt-based drinks topped the list in terms of value growth, fuelled by single-serving products and health trends toward probiotics.
Datamonitor also released a report last week looking at the upswing of functional foods, and probiotic drinks and yoghurts came out on top in terms of market growth.
As with drinkable yoghurt, dairy-based drinks also made AC Neilsen's list of fastest-growing categories. The analyst said new packaging, brands, and flavours helped boost this category around the world.
