By 2023, 82 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging.
Consumer awareness of sustainability is increasing

Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in the choices consumers make. The demand for products with a lower environmental impact is growing, as is the need for local, organic and fair trade options. These changes are driven by increasing awareness of climate change and the need to use raw materials responsibly. The food industry is responding to this by embracing more sustainable production methods and offering alternatives that contribute to lower CO2 emissions and less waste, without compromising on quality. Product developers face the challenge of developing sustainable innovations that are both environmentally friendly and meet consumer expectations in terms of taste and experience.
Food is a basic necessity of life. With 8 billion people, and expected to reach 10.4 billion by 2100, almost a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the food sector.
In 2023, approximately 30 percent of consumers surveyed paid 1-5 percent more for a sustainable product, which is an increase compared to 2020. At the same time, the share of consumers who spent more than 5 percent extra on sustainable products decreased compared to 2020. This highlights that price remains one of the most important factors in consumers’ purchasing decisions.

By 2023, 79 percent of companies in the food industry were working on sustainability.

In 2023, more than five in ten Dutch people (53 percent) aged 18 or older were of the opinion that their own behavior has an impact on climate change.
To accelerate the transition to a more sustainable food chain, taste research is essential. Ensuring the taste experience of sustainable products is crucial to meet consumer expectations. By integrating flavor research into the development process, sustainable options can be created that are both tasty and responsible. This not only contributes to a healthier planet, but also offers consumers the opportunity to happily choose delicious, sustainable products.

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