Humankind’s greatest strength is its ability to carve solutions to any challenge. One of our major ones happens to be food security. Over the decades, we’ve responded with various sustainability efforts. They’ve evolved and led to some incredible food sustainability trends, which, at the moment, are reducing the burden on the environment. We get into the ones that have defined this year and look ahead.
So, is plant-based meat the next big thing? Is millet back in the spotlight? Why is food sustainability important? Read on to find out. And know how you can add significant value to the global food chain.
What is Food Sustainability?
Sustainable Food Market Overview
Research shows an increase in products claiming to be sustainable—ethically or environmentally. The global market value of ethically labelled food products jumped from US$793 bn in 2015 to US$872 bn in 2020. And it’ll rise as we tackle more food challenges and reach a broader audience. The good news is that people are growing more conscious of the environmental burden of their food choices—that bowl of ice cream might be causing more than just a few heads to turn.
Products with ethical/sustainability claims that are popular at the moment include dairy products, beverages, and confectionery. (Cocoa might perhaps be the poster child of the food sustainability movement, with producers focused on sourcing it with extreme care.) Further sustainable food market insights reveal that most new products in the segment are labelled as organic, followed by additive/preservative-free, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
The short answer: Yes. A resounding yes.
Top Food Sustainability Trends in 2024
1. Embracing Regenerative and Agroecological Farming Systems
2. The Steady Rise of Plant-based Food
As more people are aware of livestock practices and their effect on the environment and the animals themselves, there’s no mystery as to why plant-based food has expanded in the market (the value of the plant-based food market worldwide is estimated at around US$65 bn in 2024, and is only projected to increase rapidly). While there is still some way to go before they can act as mainstream substitutes, scaling up production in the coming years will hopefully see their stock rise among discerning consumers. Soon enough, plant-based milk won’t be looked upon quizzically but as just another regular, healthy drink after a long day!
3. Upcycled Ingredients
4. Relying on Forgotten Crops
5. Locally Sourced Ingredients
6. Carbon-neutral Products
7. Going Plastic-free
How to Promote Food Sustainability
Source: Kerry
Collaborating for a Better Future
Partnering with a responsible food ingredient solution provider like Symega can inject sustainability into your processes. We champion food production that is ethical, environmentally considerate, and locally sourced, and we have the technical expertise to back our ambitions. We are on top of sustainability trends and leverage them to build trust between our customers and theirs. Together, we can arrive at innovative and efficient ways of getting the most out of your product. And help the planet heal in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is food sustainability important?
Food sustainability is vital for many reasons. From the environmental impact of conserving natural resources to social and economic implications like offering food security to future generations, the importance of using efficient practices to source food is a pressing concern. Sustainability in food procurement and production also affects public health, supports rural livelihoods, and prioritises animal welfare. It is crucial in efforts to suppress world hunger and malnutrition.
What challenges does the food industry face in achieving sustainability?
Climate change is the biggest hurdle to food sustainability. Agricultural losses due to adverse weather events are an ongoing threat that makes it difficult to find solutions to food concerns. Floods, droughts, and heat waves linked to climate change can disrupt efforts to produce and distribute food equitably. Land degradation due to human intervention is another massive challenge. Conventional farming has upset the ecosystem to the point where the excessive loss of habitat and depletion of natural resources make it hard to optimise food production. Human negligence, inefficient production processes, and improper packaging can also be responsible for getting in the way of attempts to reduce wasted food.
How do we promote food sustainability?
Food sustainability can be achieved by boosting agricultural productivity while limiting land use through innovation. Besides environmental protection, supporting farmers’ physical and economic safety is also essential. Lastly, food manufacturers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers should determine technologies that safeguard the entire food ecosystem from adverse effects like price volatility.
How is technology contributing to food sustainability?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is helping to monitor farm animals and offer specific calving insights that help with herd management. AI technologies can also possibly predict outcomes for crops and livestock, such as whether diseases or pests should be expected. Elsewhere, machine learning can quicken the soil testing process and give immediate data on soil health. Modern technology can further ascertain the crop quality on the field, thus reducing waste. These innovations are helping increase crop yield and optimise value across the supply chain, benefiting producers and consumers. Looking to the future, AI-enabled weather projections can aid farmers in planning strategies, resulting in robust yields. And the move to zero-emissions farm equipment will slash greenhouse emissions and open a world of opportunities for sustainable production.
