Look ahead: What does 2025 have in store for Europe's food and drink?
2024 proved another turbulent year for EMEA food and drink
Meat
EUDR delay a blessing as more companies than believed ‘not ready’
A 12-month delay to EUDR came at the right time as many companies, despite being convinced they were ready, hadn’t correctly prepared.
What’s next for the plant-based trend?
2024 has thrown some big challenges at the plant-based industry, leading to suggestions it’s in decline. But the sector has weathered the storms and is emerging stronger. So, what’s next for this enduring trend?
Is government HFSS obsession unhealthy?
HFSS cuts have been high on government healthcare agendas for years now. But is the rush to reformulate doing more harm than good?
‘We’re doing well in a tough environment’: Quorn’s new CEO on the past and future of the brand
Quorn’s new CEO, David Flochel, explains how the brand has lasted so long, and what’s in store for the future.
Cheapflation: How this economic phenomenon is impacting F&B
Cheapflation is having a major impact on consumer and manufacturer behaviour. So what is it and how long will it last?
The food and drink categories ripe for M&A activity in 2025
Which of Europe’s food and beverage categories will likely see the most merger and acquisitions in 2025? Two experts give their thoughts.
EUDR ‘no risk’ status cancelled and 12 month delay reconfirmed
The controversial EUDR no risk status has been provisionally binned in a ‘trilogue’ between the European Council, Commission and Parliament.
Could seaweed be a natural substitute to controversial additive Bovaer?
Dairy manufacturer Arla Foods has faced severe backlash over its use of methane-cutting supplement Bovaer. But could seaweed offer a sustainable alternative?
DSM-Firmenich calls out ‘misinformation’ over Arla Foods backlash
Dutch multinational DSM-Firmenich has pulled no punches in its response to backlash over Arla Foods' use of methane-cutting additive Bovaer.
Redefine Meat ‘doubles’ UK foodservice sales
Alternative meat maker Redefine Meat has claimed a near 100% year-on-year foodservice sales boost in a challenging market.
Opinion
Vegetarian Butcher sale the start of Unilever’s brutal €1bn clear out – what’s next?
Unilever’s food brand shake-up will put the Vegetarian Butcher on the chopping block, raising questions about what brands could be next.
Cultivated meat must be in sync with religious, cultural beliefs for commercial success
The cultivated meat sector needs to be aligned with not only food safety regulations but also local religious and cultural beliefs in Asia if commercial success is to be achieved in the region.
Dsm-firmenich focuses on trio of business-driving investments
Ingredients major dsm-firmenich will invest in a trio of areas to bolster business growth over the coming years.
Europe’s fast-food majors failing on poultry welfare progress
Fast-food giants across Europe are failing foul on poultry welfare measures, with few making recent progress and others moving backwards on previous gains, a damning new report criticises.
Top food tech trends for 2025 revealed
Innovation in the food space has seen a boom in recent years. But this is just the beginning.
NPD Trend Tracker: From functional drinks to brand redesigns
This week, two brands are revamping their identity. Plus, we have two functional drinks launches, and an old coffee brand venturing into the flavoured category.
Could keto diet improve autoimmune disease symptoms?
The controversial keto diet is lauded by supporters and condemned by critics. So will research linking it to autoimmune benefits tip the scale in its favour? And what F&B NPD opportunities could that create?
Lidl bolsters British food investment to £21bn over five years
German discounter Lidl is boosting its spend on British produce over the next five years, exceeding its original target, to £21bn.
Insect protein buzz waning as patents slow
Insect protein’s predicted take off has been less than a flutter as market innovation stagnates, with worldwide patents sliding year-on-year again.
EUDR delay venom and outrage: the aftermath of the vote
EUDR’s 12-month delay has been met with condemnation from organisations across the world following yesterday's controversial vote.
Cultivated freshwater eel tech opens new opportunities in Japanese market
A cultivated seafood tech business has developed a system of cell cultivation to allow for commercial freshwater eel farming.
Meat and dairy reduction ‘vital’ to climate health – new report warns
The meat and plant-based industries have locked horns as a new report cites diet change as a key tool in the fight to control global warming and even reverse the climate crisis.
Cultivated meat and precision fermentation – will consumers eat it?
Emerging meat alternatives – cultivated meat and precision fermentation-derived meat – need to present an appealing image to consumers if they are to succeed.
Beyond Meat grows through price hikes, but volumes struggle
Beyond Meat has grown revenues, after several crunching years, but is the alt-meat major out of the woods?
Protein Vision 2024
5 must know plant-based meat trends
Meat alternatives are back in growth, with recent Europe-wide data showing the category has rinsed away its droop and is ticking up. But what at are the factors behind this early-stage turnaround?
Top tips to successfully market your brand
Marketing can be complex, time consuming and costly. We run down the top tips and tricks to successfully market a food and drink brand on a tight budget.
Opinion
Is Trump stoking an EU/US trade war?
Will Trump’s rebooted presidency bring about a transatlantic trade war or is it all hot air? Fake news or not, the returning president has made worrying noises – from crippling tariffs to climate ignorance – that are sending markets in a spin.
UPF debate not black and white
There's a lot more to the UPF debate than just 'good' foods and 'bad' foods. We dive into the great UPF debate to discover more.
What do South African consumers think of plant-based meat?
South Africa has one of Africa’s largest plant-based meat markets. How do consumers view these meat-free alternatives?
Big Interview
A sensible rebel: Juicy Marbles' boss on breaking even, NPD and beyond
After raising “peanuts” to launch a plant-based meat business around Covid-19, Juicy Marbles is set to break even within its fourth year and is planning NPD along with another funding launch.
Deadly: New Bird Flu variant strength alarming industry
Death rates of 100% are leaving farmers and manufacturers concerned about the new Bird Flu strain.
Erectile dysfunction and plant-based diets – a urological health revelation?
The murky waters of urological health are rarely linked to or promoted within food and drink marketing. Could plant-based diets reduce the risk of common conditions such as erectile dysfunction?
Consumer confidence crash hitting F&B brands hardest
Consumer confidence is crashing as financial pressures fail to ease, but what does that mean for food and beverage?
How can alternative proteins and regenerative agriculture work together?
Despite both being sustainability-focused, regenerative agriculture and protein diversification have not always got along. How can the two sectors work together?
Protein Vision 2024
Protein Vision 2024: Big name speakers reveal inside story
Quorn, Redefine Meat, THIS, La Vie and Rude Health are among the high-profile brands providing their valuable market intelligence at this year’s Protein Vision digital event.
Silver economy: Ultimate growth market sparking NPD in F&B
The ageing population is growing fast, leading to a flurry of NPD, as F&B brands innovate to cater to this growing consumer group.
How to identify and engage with your target market
Creating and building brand awareness, with potential customers, is essential to success. Here’s how to recognise and connect with your target market.
The US spent €1.5bn more on EU food imports and here’s why
The US has bolstered agri-food imports, making it the largest value increase of all nations buying in EU produce. China, however, reduced value imports more than any other nation.
Start-up pitch
How Roslin Technologies is making cultivated meat affordable
The cultivated meat market is growing, but price remains a major barrier to success. Roslin Technologies believes it has the answer, with its animal stem cell solution.
NOVA reform: The flawed UPF classification system requires change
Some nutritious foods under the current NOVA system could be demonised alongside unhealthy variants. Industry's calling for reform, but what would the next generation look like?
Could governments introduce rationing?
Rationing could be a reality as populations grow and climate change bites. But would consumers support it and what would it mean for food manufacturers?
EUDR delay: The winners and losers
The proposed EUDR delay could be a relief for many if approved, but its mooting has also been controversial. Who are the winners and losers of the delay?
Intermittent fasting could prevent diabetes – How can F&B help?
Diet is a leading cause of type 2 diabetes. Is intermittent fasting the solution? And what can the food and beverage industry do to engage with it?
Redefine Meat plots NPD as plant-based market 'regains sales'
Plant-based meat alternative heavyweight Redefine Meat has plotted a series of new launches and retail listings as the market rebounds following a recent tumble and stagnation.
Replacing oils and fats with water: Deep-tech start-up secures €4.2m
Healthier food-tech business MicroLub, which uses tech to replace fats and oils with water – while claiming sensory retention – has closed a €4.2 seed investment round to commercialise.
Lidl invests in own-label plant-based, targeting 25% category sales
European discounter major Lidl is betting big on plant-based following booming sales, introducing a raft of new listings under a new own-label range.
Private label grows again – why brands should be worried
Private label FMCG is growing again and taking territory from big brands. But this wasn’t always the case. So, how is the category winning the battle for consumer attention?
EUDR extension greenlit by European Council as 200 NGOs call for go-ahead
The European Council has greenlit the Commission’s proposals to delay EUDR by 12 months, despite protests from hundreds of environmental and other groups calling for its immediate implementation.
Nestlé cuts profit predictions amid weak market and board reshuffle
Nestlé is making senior leadership and operational changes as the global food behemoth trims its full-year sales forecast again due to a weak market.