Future-Proofing F&B Businesses In A Changing World

To the modern consumer, sustainability and ethics are of paramount importance - so much so that 66-75% of consumers around the world take it into consideration when they’re making a purchase. Not only are they more willing to buy a product if it’s sustainability-friendly, people are also more willing to spend a greater sum of money on sustainable, ethical products. F&B is arguably one the most important and influential industries across the world when it comes to the impact it could have on the sustainability and future of the planet - and with figures from the World Economic Forum predicting that by 2050, the population of the world will rise to 9.7 billion (which means there will be 2 billion more people on Earth than there are today) - and each of those people needing to be fed in a world that is already struggling to meet its needs, with at least 10% of the global population - that’s at least 828 million people - facing hunger - it is more important than ever that when F&B businesses think about these factors when future-proofing to build legacies that last. With an increasingly fragile environment that is being exacerbated by factors including climate change and extreme weather events, wars and political conflicts, and ensuing economic pressures, alongside rapidly-changing technology and constantly-changing consumer preferences forcing immense demands for more flexibility in production methods, future-proofing isn’t only a pivotal strategy that can ensure an F&B businesses’s success and evolution, but one that can help to ensure its survival in an increasingly competitive world.

• Food manufacturers can utilise more locally-grown, sourced, or raised produce
• Companies can opt for more sustainability-friendly packaging whether that’s through biodegradable, recyclable, and/or compostable materials
• Food developers can incorporate more seasonal ingredients wherever possible
• F&B businesses across every level of the supply chain must make a concerted effort to cut back on waste and loss
• Excellence can be a make-or-break factor, with companies primed to succeed by focusing more on quality and not only just quantity
• F&B businesses can increase spending in R&D, ensuring that their teams are equipped to make innovation part of the company fabric.
• Companies can also invest in fostering more space and resources that support this progress, with initiatives that reduce their carbon footprint, support more local farmers, allow for more agricultural diversity, and buy into adaptable new technologies that will continue to pay off for years down the line
• F&B businesses can remain as transparent as possible with their customers and stakeholders, paying attention to their feedback, and utilising data and analytics to support real-time progress

Ultimately, where sustainability may have once been a hallmark of exceptional vision and commitment, it is now an essential ingredient that F&B businesses of tomorrow must incorporate to stay ahead of the curve by satisfying consumers’ desire for conscientiousness, in a way that makes room for more self-sufficiency, allows for greater food provenance, and promotes a more circular economy.

As technological transformations make room for not only substantial cost-savings, problem solving, and greater efficiency in everything from labour and production to distribution, but also a more “glocal” ethos, the trend towards more health-consciousness that prioritises both human well-being and planetary health that incorporates a holistic, big-picture approach to food - that offers solutions for the short-term as well as the long-term - is one that cannot be ignored

To learn more about the cutting-edge developments in sustainability and future-proofing in the F&B industry, head to the Gulfood Digest blog.

As the world’s largest food trade show, Gulfood has long been a launchpad for some of the most future-forward developments in the international food and beverage industry. The ultimate place to come together to learn, collaborate, and work together to find solutions to solve the global F&B industry’s greatest challenges, there is no better place to learn from the world’s leading minds in food and beverage, while being part of the conversations that will shape the future of the industry on a global scale. And with 5,500+ exhibitors from 127 countries coming together to take your business to the next level through knowledge, innovation, networking, and lucrative deals that will foster growth for companies and the global population alike, it’s a must-attend event for anyone and everyone who wants to make a real impact in F&B.

Register now, and join us there at the Dubai World Trade Centre from Feb 19-23, 2024.