Cookies – Trends

The PREMIUM PRODUCTS and EXPERIENCE macrotrend is characterized for the increase of the food consumption standards in the society, valuing products with noble ingredients, tastier, with unprecedented flavor, fresh, and produced in an artisanal way.

Consumers are more demanding and willing to pay more for items with higher added value, both due to tie ingredients composition, and by the processing methods. For example, the more sophisticated cookies, such as chocolate covered sticks, have a higher acceptance in the groups with higher income.

FLAVOR and TEXTURE factors are very valued at the time of the purchase. However, the consumers preferences have also been directed in order to complement the cookies health, naturalness, and sustainability attributes.

In addition to control calories, fat, sugar and sodium, other health characteristics have been required by consumers.

In Brazil, according to the research , 21% of inhabitants consider more important to eat healthier ingredients than to reduce those recommended to avoid eating. therefore, the NUTRITION and FUNCTIONALITY macrotrend reveals an increasing demand for nutritive and functional products, with potential to contribute to increase the performance, improve immunity and prevent diseases. This macrotrend has promoted the development of new enriched products and with the addition of ingredients acknowledged by their nutritive value, such as whole flour, oat, chia, quinoa, dried fruits, etc.

According to the CONTROL and ADEQUACY macrotrend, many consumers have attempted to control their consumption of food with higher content of salt, sugar, and fats.

It has drive the reformulation of many types of cookies, with an increase of offering products with reduced content of fat, reduction of sugar and lower quantities of sodium. In addition to the reformulation voluntarily made by the companies, there are agreements signed by the industries with the Ministry of Health, with goals to reduce fat, sodium, and sugar from industrialized products (https://abia.org.br/releases/industrias-de-alimentos-lancam-plano-inedito-de-reducao-de-acucares).

Associated to the consumers preference for indulgence and health, the NATURALNESS and AUTHENTICITY macrotrend indicates the valuation for products seen as artisanal, natural, without artificial additives, allergenic substances or others, such as lactose and gluten. Despite the traditional items containing additives are considered as safe, industries have developed products with more simplified formulas, with addition of natural aromas, whole grains, nuts, honey, spices, etc.

The SUSTAINABILITY and TRANSPARENCY macrotrend represents the valuation of the way industrialized food is made and also the importance attributed to the manufacturers social and environmental responsibility. It has promoted the increase in the demand for organic products and with environmental certifications. On the other hand, consumers want clear information about the ingredients used and the types of processes used in the manufacturing.