Market News

Food trends for 2025: Fast Flavour Explosions, Snacking and Everyday Fusion

Written by

ICA Sweden has publicized its annual Trend report 2025. The Swedes are ready to take their taste buds on a journey – and this is not only a culinary novelty, but also a signal to the grocery store about what will drive sales forward.

Quick taste: Increased usage of, for example, miso, crispy chili oil, and furikake in everything from soups to salad dressings. And the love for quick sauces with a lot of umami and flavour continues. Some of the flavour enhancers have turned from being specialty foods into commodities.

Snacking: Healthy and creative snacking like hummus bars that are easy to take with you, creative toppings on egg halves, and cottage cheese. It started in restaurants and is now in retail.

Back to basics: Raw materials, fresh ingredients – especially vegetables – take the main role in our meals, at the same time as we hopefully get a little more money to spend.

Fusion with a twist: Mixing the food traditions of different countries to create new taste experiences. Pasta carbonara flavored with miso, banh mi tacos, or a tandoori pizza.

Imperfection: After years of striving for perfection on social media and in the kitchen, we’re ready for a more relaxed approach. 2025 will be the year we embrace the personal and authentic. To invite the neighbours over for a pie with burnt edges, sloppily arranged pasta, or an improvised recipe with what is in the fridge? But a key question is if the Swedes can afford the new trends, as costs have exploded, and overall, the biggest trend right now is “Low prices”!

www.greenseedgroup.com

Alaska and Pacific Northwest Seafood Exports Gain Ground in Ukraine

Written by

Amid ongoing global trade shifts, seafood exporters from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest have made notable progress in the Ukrainian market. According to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States has emerged as Ukraine’s third-largest seafood supplier, surpassing pre-conflict export levels. This development reflects the resilience and adaptability of U.S. seafood producers in navigating complex international trade environments.

The increased demand in Ukraine is attributed to a combination of factors, including disruptions in traditional supply chains and a growing consumer preference for high-quality seafood products. U.S. exporters have responded by enhancing their marketing efforts and ensuring a consistent supply to meet Ukraine’s needs. This strategic engagement not only benefits American seafood producers but also contributes to Ukraine’s food security and market diversification.

www.undercurrentnews.com

Sweden’s Infused Dried Fruits Market Trends

Written by

Sweden’s infused dried fruits market is experiencing notable growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for healthy and convenient snack options. Infused dried fruits, which are dried fruits enhanced with flavors such as fruit juices or sugars, are gaining popularity among Swedish consumers. These products are commonly used in various applications, including breakfast cereals, bakery items, dairy products, and salads, aligning with the broader trend towards nutritious and flavorful food choices. The market’s expansion is further supported by innovations in product offerings and packaging, catering to the evolving preferences of health-conscious individuals.

According to a market research report by 6Wresearch, the Swedish infused dried fruits market is projected to grow steadily from 2025 to 2031. The report highlights key segments within the market, including fruit types such as raisins, apples, apricots, and mangoes, as well as product types like fruit juice-infused and sugar-infused dried fruits. Additionally, the study examines applications across various food categories and distribution channels, providing a comprehensive overview of the market dynamics. This growth trajectory reflects Sweden’s increasing inclination towards incorporating infused dried fruits into daily diets, driven by their convenience, taste, and nutritional benefits.

www.6wresearch.com

Dried Fruit Market Forecast to Grow Thanks to Health-Conscious Consumers

Written by

The dried fruit market grew from $10.98 billion in 2023 to $11.60 billion in 2024, according to a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com. The market is projected to reach $16.20 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.70%.

The main drivers of market growth include health-conscious consumers, the increasing use of dried fruits in processed food products, and their popularity as a healthier gifting alternative.

The dry fruit preservation process helps extend the shelf life of fruit and “concentrates their flavor, sweetness, and nutrients,” a must for consumers worried about health who seek a nutritious snack alternative.

The Americas hold a significant share of the dried fruit market, but according to the report, European Union countries also have a robust market due to ‘high population density, disposable income levels, and awareness of the nutritional benefits of dried fruits.’

The Middle East’s dry fruit market is already established due to its rich history of dried fruit consumption tied to longstanding cultural ties. The report states that The Asia-Pacific region has immense potential for the global dried fruit industry due to “rising consumer awareness about health benefits, an expanding middle class, and urbanization trends that fuel the growth of the dried fruit industry.”

www.freshfruitportal.com

Norwegian Seafood Exports Reach Record High in 2024

Written by

In 2024, Norway achieved its highest-ever seafood export value, reaching NOK 175.4 billion, an increase of NOK 3.7 billion (2%) compared to the previous record in 2023. The country exported 2.8 million tonnes of seafood, equating to approximately 38 million meals daily throughout the year. This growth occurred despite challenges such as cod quota reductions, production issues in salmon farming, and global economic fluctuations. Salmon remained the leading export, accounting for NOK 122.9 billion, or 70% of total seafood export value, with significant demand in Asian markets like Thailand, China, Vietnam, and Korea.

While aquaculture products comprised 74% of the export value, wild-caught species like cod and king crab faced difficulties due to quota cuts, leading to decreased volumes but increased prices. Notably, trout exports reached a record NOK 6.8 billion, with Ukraine, the USA, and Thailand as major markets. The largest markets for Norwegian seafood in 2024 were Poland, Denmark, and the USA, with China showing the highest growth in value, increasing by NOK 887 million (10%) compared to the previous year.

www.seafood.mynewsdesk.com

Fish Consumption in the Nordics: A Blend of Tradition and Sustainability

Written by

Fish consumption in the Nordic countries reflects a deep-rooted maritime heritage intertwined with contemporary sustainability practices. In Iceland and the Faroe Islands, per capita fish consumption is notably high, with Icelanders consuming approximately 90 kg annually and Faroese residents exceeding 100 kg. These figures underscore the cultural and economic significance of seafood in these regions. Conversely, countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Finland report lower consumption levels, ranging between 14 to 25 kg per person annually. Despite these variations, fish remains an integral component of the Nordic diet, celebrated for its nutritional benefits and cultural importance.

Recent dietary guidelines, such as the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR2023), advocate for a weekly intake of 300–450 grams of fish, emphasizing at least 200 grams of fatty fish due to its health benefits. These recommendations also highlight the importance of sourcing fish from sustainably managed stocks to balance nutritional needs with environmental considerations. Across the Nordics, there’s a growing consumer demand for eco-certified seafood, with labels like MSC and ASC gaining prominence. This shift reflects an increasing awareness of sustainable fishing practices and a commitment to preserving marine ecosystems.

www.all-things-nordic.com

Russian Surimi Production Increased by 40% to 30,000 mt

Written by

The pollock fishing season (Season A) in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia’s primary fishing ground, concluded on April 9th. According to the Pollock Catchers Association (PCA) in Vladivostok, the catch during the A season, spanning from January 1st to April 9th, reached 830,000 mt, marking a 3% increase compared to the same period last year. Approximately 87% of the total allowable catch (TAC) in the sea has been utilized. Surimi production experienced a notable surge of 40%, reaching 30,000 tons.

Across all regions of the Far Eastern basin, the total pollock catch surpassed 1.05 million tons, reflecting an 8.6% increase compared to the previous year.

PCA reports indicate that pollock product manufacturing followed a similar pattern to last year, with Russian fishermen maintaining production volumes of fillet and minced meat at last year’s levels, totaling approximately 60 thousand tons. Meanwhile, marine surimi production continued to rise, increasing by nearly 40% to 30,000 mt during the 2024 “A” season. Overall, frozen pollock production rose by 7% to 397,000 mt.

Source: seafood.media

Devaluation in Turkey Stimulates Local Banana Production and Apple Exports

Written by

The recent depreciation of the Turkish lira against the US dollar, increasing by 12% since the start of 2024 and 71% over the year, has had significant implications for the fruit and vegetable industry. This devaluation has temporarily boosted Turkey’s export advantage in apples, excluding the Golden Delicious variety, as well as in lemon and grapefruit exports. Fedir Rybalko notes that the devaluation also stimulates local banana production.

With Iran’s withdrawal from the global apple market, Turkey stands to enhance its exports to India, a competitive market between the two countries. This shift could also bolster Turkey’s competitive position in exporting greenhouse tomatoes to Ukraine.

Turkey’s emphasis on bolstering domestic banana and other fruit and vegetable production is evident. It ranks among the top 8 global exporters in this sector, with exports growing annually by over 5%, equating to approximately US $320 million.

Although Russia remains the largest importer of Turkish fruits and vegetables, its share is decreasing. Conversely, exports to Germany, Iraq, Romania, and several other EU and Middle Eastern countries are on the rise.

Notably, Türkiye has significantly reduced banana imports over the past three years, with import volumes declining by more than fourfold.

Source: east-fruit.com

Russian Fisherman Caught over 5.3 mln mt of Fish in 2023

Written by

In 2023, Russian fishermen caught over 5.3 million mt of fish, marking the highest figure recorded in the past three decades. This announcement was made by Ilya Shestakov, the Head of The Federal Agency for Fishery (Rosrybolovstvo). Shestakov emphasized Russia’s commendable level of fish self-sufficiency, which stands at over 150%, indicating the country’s capacity to meet its domestic demand for fish products.

Source: tass.com

Russia Doubles Seafood Exports to China

Written by

In the first eleven months of the previous year, Russia demonstrated significant growth in its seafood exports to China, with figures revealing a remarkable 102% increase in volume. The value of these exports also saw a notable rise of 38%, totaling approximately 1,100,000 mt of seafood valued at $2 billion shipped to China between January and November.

This surge in exports is complemented by a concurrent increase in seafood imports from China to Russia, which grew by 6% to reach 52,000 tonnes during the same period. These imports included squid, tuna, canned products, crustaceans, and shrimp, amounting to a total value of $286 million.

Noteworthy items among Russia’s exports to China include just over half a million tonnes of frozen pollock, 213,000 mt of small pelagics, 111,000 mt of frozen herring, 62,000 mt of fishmeal, and 29,000 mt of frozen cod, further illustrating the depth of trade between the two nations in the seafood sector.

Source: fiskerforum.com