It’s that time of year again when major producers unveil their predictions for the coming year. ADM has revealed that after three years of Covid ‘oppression’, 2023 will be a ray of sunshine.
Escapism will be a key theme for the new year, finding consumers increasingly seeking out treats that will boost their mood while keeping them withing their health and wellbeing goals.
Consumers are also yearning for idealised versions of themselves and are increasingly willing to embark on a journey that reflects how they see their future selves. As consumers channel their emotions into their product purchases, vibrant manifestations are on the horizon for the new year, including fantastical flavour experiences and bold, captivating colours, according to ADM.
Rest and Relaxation
The global nutrition leader believes the focus on personal health will only grow stronger next year, shaping consumer outlook, but also providing a distraction to this increasingly difficult environment.
FMCG Guru’s Top Ten Trends for 2022 revealed that 47 percent of global consumers want more time to relax while the market researcher’s 2021 Sleep & Stress Management Report found 32 percent plan to make improvements to their sleep habits.
People are actively seeing respite, and this will only increase in the new year – which, the company believes, will signify a gravitation toward flavours and colours that will help shift consumer mood toward brighter and lighter moments.
Colour of the Year
Blissful blue encapsulates the restful trend, signalling new possibilities with wide open skies and oceans. ADM’s 2023 colour of the year is Digital Lavender, a colour that is not only tailored to self-care, healing, and wellness, but also harks points towards another trend – space travel and finding inspiration from the universe.
Pairing well with blue shades are refreshing, ‘limited edition’ flavour notes that cue wonder and fun-filled escapades. Dream-like fantasy flavours like mermaid and unicorn (tutti frutti flavours) are already popping up in the marketplace – especially in the cake and confectionery space – along with spots of peppermint, cotton candy, birthday cake and tropical cocktail.
Saturated Shades for Self-Expression
ADM forecasts a new wave of self-expression in 2023 to explode across all categories, one that is reminiscent of the 1980s – think playfulness and attention-grabbing saturated share like hot pink.
This intense mood boost pairs with unusual flavours like dragon fruit, pink grapefruit, fruit punch, rose and pink florals, adding that ‘over-the-top’ touch to baked goods and desserts.
In addition to pink, saturated shades of orange, blue, teal and purple will accompany bold flavour profiles like blue raspberry and ube (a purple spud related to orange sweet potatoes) – dialling up the volume throughout the upcoming year.
Feeling Good
Beyond the yearning for escapism and self-expression, ADM’s proprietary consumer research Outside Voice found 69 percent of consumers admit that simple, recognisable ingredients continue to influence their purchasing decision.
People want to feel good both physically and emotionally, curating their wellness routines with colours and flavours that raise their spirits, such as shades of orange enhanced with the tang of zesty citrus, juicy stone fruits and tropical mango and passionfruit, as well as fresh mint, herbs, and botanicals.
Citrus remains the most classic flavour profile, accounting for nearly 30 percent of new product launches, however, botanicals are on the rise, viewed as both premium and tasty by 43 percent of consumers.
Of course, the desire to feel good goes beyond personal boundaries, with more consumer looking to make a positive impact on their communities and the planet. According to Nielsen, 73 percent of global consumers are increasingly seeking out companies that are transparent about where and how products are made, raised or grown.
