Gourmet & Specialty Foods

Consumers are increasingly captivated by the stories behind the products they buy. In a 2021 Packaging Survey, Innova Market Insights found that over 50% of consumers globally indicated they prefer buying products that have the brand/origin story on the packaging. Clearly, consumers want to know the story behind the food & drinks they buy to learn where the ingredients come from, to understand the product’s benefits, and to make a connection with the brands. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on ingredient provenance to highlight the taste and quality of their products, as well as their uniqueness and sustainability efforts.

Locally and regionally produced food & beverages seem to be more trustworthy to consumers. Products with a PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin) or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) reinforce the traditional aspects as well as highlight the origin and quality. The COVID-19 pandemic has only increased consumers’ interest in local products that they know and trust.

The table below shows the top market categories as a percentage (%) of overall F&B launches tracked with a “PDO/PGI” claim: