From new approaches to packaging to new ways of tracking the supply chain, food focused incumbents and startups will embrace tech-based innovations this year.
Unexpected players rattled the food industry in 2017.
Chobani, a startup, cemented its spot as the US’ top-selling yogurt brand, leaving stalwart General Mills’ Yoplait struggling to keep up.
Halo Top, another startup, became the US’ top-selling ice cream pint, bumping out Unilever brands in the process.
Meanwhile, Amazon acquired Whole Foods for $13.7B, spurring grocers to rethink their tech strategies and brands to reconsider their distribution models.
To compete, we saw traditional food companies step up their startup activity, making acquisitions and rolling out venture capital funds and incubator programs.
Amidst these changes, what will 2018 bring? From CPG brands maneuvering around retailers to big meat producers embracing alternative proteins, we identified the most important food trends to watch this year.
This report was created with data from CB Insights’ emerging technology insights platform, which offers clarity into emerging tech and new business strategies through tools like:
- Earnings Transcripts Search Engine & Analytics to get an information edge on competitors’ and incumbents’ strategies
- Patent Analytics to see where innovation is happening next
- Company Mosaic Scores to evaluate startup health, based on our National Science Foundation-backed algorithm
- Business Relationships to quickly see a company’s competitors, partners, and more
- Market Sizing Tools to visualize market growth and spot the next big opportunity