Turning insights into innovative new products

Our history of success in ingredients gives us a unique window into the consumer trends that are driving change in the beverage category. We use these in-depth insights to help our customers both enhance their current products and develop innovative new offerings that generate incremental sales for their brands. What trends are we currently tracking in the beverage category?

Reduced-calorie satisfaction

Driven by obesity concerns and an overall desire for better health, there is a growing emphasis on calorie reduction in beverages – especially in schools. At Cargill, we have a family of zero-calorie sweeteners including a high intensity sweetener and Zerose™ erythritol, a bulk sweetener. We also have a broad range of texturizers and other “taste modifiers” that our developers use to “rebuild” the taste and mouthfeel that are removed along with calories.

Premiumization

Even in an economic downturn, there is room for premium products — so long as they bring immediate value to the customer, deliver the right benefit and are supported with innovative packaging. In the spirits market, we see drinking occasions shifting to the home as people are concerned about saving money. Looking at total consumption, this category seems recession-resilient, with a continuing popularity of spirits with splashes of fruits like citrus, pomegranate, and berry.