MARKET TRENDS: REVIEW OF 2020
Key market trends that shaped the food industry in 2020 By Paul Ongeto
The pandemic has made significant changes in consumer consumption patterns that may change the industry forever 2020 was a year punctuated by the Covid-19 pandemic, disrupting life as we knew it while bringing major changes in how we produce, market, and eat our food. With the cases in China reaching their fever peak, consumers quicklyrealized they needed to be healthy to survive the pandemic. This led to a rise in demand for healthy and functional food products. Many other trends arose as people tried to adjust to the new normal. At Food Business Africa, we go back in time, to bring you the top trends that shaped the food industry in 2020. AT HOME CONSUMPTION BECOMES A NORM Prior to the pandemic, at home consumption was
72
MARCH/APRIL 2021 | FOOD BUSINESS AFRICA
diminishing in nearly every corner of the world. Many people shunned eating at home in favour of the convenience of fast-food restaurants and other food joints. The pandemic, however, restricted people’s movement and restaurants were either closed or operating on a takeaway basis. Left with no option, the modern-day consumer found himself rediscovering the kitchen and the art of cooking. In UK - one of the country’s worst affected by Covid-19 - a research conducted by Consultancy UK found out that the likelihood of people making their own dinner had increased by almost 10% since the outbreak. In the United States, a study by Hunter revealed that more than half of Americans (56%) were cooking more and 46% were baking more during the pandemic.
FOODBUSINESSAFRICA.COM
