Filipino exporters and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can capture a bigger share of the global market by tapping into fast-growing consumer trends that play to the country's agricultural strengths, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

Global consumer trends in food and beverage

Angie Brosas, chief Trade-Industry Development Specialist at the DTI's Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB), outlined five global consumer trends reshaping the food and beverage industry during a financing forum organized by the Export Development Council-Networking Committee on Financing.

Citing the Mintel Global New Products Database, Brosas said sustainability and health and wellness now top the list of buyer priorities, with nearly a quarter of new products claiming eco-friendly packaging.

"Authentic sustainability stories — organic coconut farming, community-sourced ingredients and fair-trade partnerships — unlock premium shelf space in Europe and North America," she said, adding that certifications such as Organic, Fair Trade, and Rainforest Alliance are often prerequisites for entry into those markets.

Brosas, who also heads DTI’s EMB's Knowledge Processing Division, said the health and wellness market has moved beyond "free-from" labeling toward rising demand for protein, reduced sugar, gut health, and functional energy — a shift she said favors Philippine staples like low-glycemic coconut sugar, kalamansi, moringa, turmeric, and fermented foods.

Convenience, premiumization, as major drivers

She also pointed to convenience and premiumization as major drivers, noting a 59-percent increase in ease-of-use claims since 2017 and a 7.2-percent share of premium claims among global product launches.

To capture the convenience segment, Brosas said MSMEs should develop single-serve dried fruit snacks, instant meal kits with Filipino flavors, and export-ready grab-to-go packs.