FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany, August 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Steadily growing market share in Western Europe puts pressure on artificial ingredients
What began as a budding trend some time ago has now firmly established itself in the market: Demand for natural food ingredients is at an all-time high. With consumers becoming increasingly conscious of what they eat, foods based on natural ingredients clearly top their grocery shopping lists. This is also reflected by current market data. Whilst food consumption in Western Europe remains virtually stagnant at 0.5 percent annual growth, the food ingredients market is showing constant movement, as reported by RTS Resource in a survey entitled "The future for natural and health ingredients". The survey shows that more and more artificial ingredients are being replaced by natural substances - a development which producers of such ingredients can certainly feel in their day-to-day business. Accordingly, they are focussing their development efforts on an ever-growing number of solutions and ingredients to accommodate this market trend and thus create a strong buying incentive. The latest trends and innovations will be on display later this year at the Food Ingredients Europe (Fi Europe) trade fair in Frankfurt (November 19th to 21st). One possible approach is to reformulate products by replacing artificial components with natural ingredients to make them more attractive for consumers again, and to thereby retain a competitive edge in a stagnating market. The exhibitors at Fi Europe have set their sights on just that, and will be presenting a wide range of natural and organic ingredients. More than 26,000 purchasing agents from around the world will attend the fair to review the palette at first hand and determine how they can use these ingredients for their products to meet consumer demand.
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Natural Flavour
Artificial flavouring additives can often be replaced by natural flavours. According to the RTS Resource survey, the market volume of natural flavouring agents in Western Europe amounts to EUR 563 million, with a projected growth rate of 3 percent. This already accounts for a 40-percent share of the total market in this segment. Companies like Sipal Partners offer flavours made from natural ingredients such as rice, wheat and manioc, which are used for syrup production. Most of the raw materials are grown in Europe using environment-friendly, sustainable and resource-conserving techniques, and are not refined. The resulting organic products therefore benefit from being labelled as containing, for instance, "non-refined rice syrup" instead of "sugar" or "glucose syrup".
Barry Callebaut takes things even one step further. The company offers hand-picked cocoa fermented by using a method that is one hundred percent natural. The process allows the complex aroma of the cocoa beans to fully develop. In addition, farmers receive training in cultivation methods so that sustainable production is ensured. The programme also improves the farmers' living and working conditions and provides easier access to educational and health resources. The company's approach to sustainable production and the natural fermentation process therefore yield a natural, sustainably produced end product of the finest flavour. This is an absolute advantage when it comes to the customers' buying decision.
Natural Colouring
Equally impressive growth is seen in the market for natural food colouring agents. The share of EUR 327 million of the total market for colouring agents in 2005 has increased by 68 percent to date, and now amounts to EUR 551 million. Aicacolor SAC, for example, is a company that utilises annatto seeds for its products. Even the Maya used the seeds of the tropical Bixa orellana tree for colouring and dying. Today, natural processes are employed to extract the pigments and to provide a palette of natural food colourings ranging from light yellow to dark red.
Another trend is the colouration of food products based on the natural colours found in other foods. Instead of artificially extracted pigments, the natural colouring agents contained, for instance, in powdered spinach or carrots, red cabbage, beetroot, or paprika and other spices, are utilised. The stability of the end product can be an issue with this method of food colouration, and is the reason why the process is currently used primarily for rice, noodles, yoghurts, desserts and soft drinks. To date, these products have gained a market share of EUR 192 million in Western Europe, with forecasts predicting a rising trend. This is another indication that growing customer demand is forcing companies to focus more strongly on natural colours and to gradually replace the synthetic colouring agents.
About Fi ingredients Global - the trusted route to market since 1986
Food ingredients was launched in Utrecht, The Netherlands, in 1986. Its portfolio of live events, publications, extensive data, digital solutions and high-level conferences, are now established throughout the world and provide regional and global platforms for all stakeholders, in the food ingredients industry. Over 500,000 people have attended our shows over the years with billions of Euros worth of business created, as a result. With over 25 years of excellence, our events, digital solutions and supporting products, deliver a proven route to market, with a truly global audience. For more information about the Food ingredients Portfolio please visit: http://www.foodingredientsglobal.com/europe.
About the Organiser
UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through premiere brands such as Fi, NuW, MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors. UBM Live is a division of United Business Media (LSE: UBM.L, http://www.ubm.com), a leading global B2B media provider with 6,500 staff in 40 countries. Incorporated in 1918 as United Newspapers Limited, we live by the motto: "We explore, we exceed, you excel."
For more information about UBM Live, please visit: http://www.ubm.com
