On October 17 and 18, the European conference NutrEventdedicated to partnership innovation in the agri-food sector. The event addressed a number of strategic issues and challenges: the circular economy, personalized nutrition, new functional ingredients and food supplements, the impact on the microbiome and innovation in pet food...
Our innovation consultant Lethicia MAGNO, an agri/agro sector specialist, took part in the event as a panel moderator. " Latest biotech approaches for innovation in pet food & feed " and in this article presents a summary of the main points discussed over the two days.
With the aim of consolidating all this information, we carried out an exploratory study on these themes with the IdeXlab open innovation platform created in 2011 to support innovation activities in promoting knowledge sharing and facilitating dialogue between the academic ecosystem and the world of industry.
Here's an overview of the 4 major trends in the agri-food industry discussed at NutrEvent:
Plant-based diets and alternative proteins
There is a growing interest in plant-based diets among both humans and pet owners. This trend is driven by concerns about the environment, animal welfare and health benefits. In addition, plant-based protein sources are booming, as are other innovative options such as algae- and insect-based products.
Functional foods
There is growing interest in food products that offer specific health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These functional foods often contain added nutrients, probiotics or other bioactive compounds thought to promote health and well-being. For example, there is growing interest in foods that promote a healthy gut microbiome, which is thought to play a crucial role in overall human health and disease prevention.
Customized nutrition
With technological advances, the focus is increasingly on personalized nutrition, for both humans and animals. Tailor-made diets and food supplements are designed to meet specific nutritional needs based on an individual's genetic heritage, state of health or lifestyle.
Organic and natural foods
This trend is driven by concerns over residues of agricultural inputs and antibiotics, as well as by the desire to choose more sustainable and ethical foods. In addition, there is a growing demand for simple, transparent labelling of food products.
In addition to the above-mentioned trends, the industry also faces a number of challenges:
- Changing consumer preferences : Consumer tastes and appetites are constantly evolving, with growing interest in health, sustainability and transparency. Food companies must adapt and innovate to meet these changing demands.
- Rising production costs: Factors such as rising raw material, labor and energy costs can weigh heavily on the profit margins of agri-food businesses. Managing and controlling these costs is a major challenge.
- Supply chain complexity : The food sector often involves complex supply chains, whose various stages include raw material sourcing, manufacturing, transport and distribution.
- Food safety and quality : Maintaining high standards of food safety and quality is crucial to consumer confidence and brand reputation. However, food companies often face difficulties in guaranteeing consistent product quality and eliminating the risk of contamination. What's more, the sector is subject to numerous regulations.
- Technological innovations : Keeping up with technological advances and integrating them into operations can be a challenge for some companies in the sector. However, advances in areas such as automation, data analytics and blockchain can offer significant opportunities to improve the value chain.
- Environmental impact : Increasing emphasis is being placed on sustainability and reducing the environmental footprint of the agri-food chain. Companies need to find ways to minimize waste, reduce carbon emissions and adopt more sustainable practices, which can be difficult to implement and maintain.
The key to meeting these challenges is often innovation in processes, techniques, ingredients or methods. G.A.C. Group makes it a point of honor to support and accompany companies in the agri-food sector in their innovation strategies and their ambitions for performance and positive impact on society and the environment.
Article written by
Innovation consultant specializing in the agricultural and agrifood sector
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