Each year, the Whole Foods Market Trends Council reveals the main directions of the sector.

The 2026 forecasts highlight 8 trends that are redefining the production, formulation, and marketing of processed foods.

Trend 1: Tallow Tallow Takeover

Rediscovery of a traditional ingredient: beef tallow. Stable at high temperatures and rich in taste, it appeals to processors looking for alternatives to industrial oils.

Trend 2: Fibers in the spotlight

Products rich in fiber — breads, bars, prebiotic drinks — meet a growing demand for digestive health and satiety. An opportunity to innovate in formulations and functional labelling.

Trend 3: The Year of Women Farmers

2026 was proclaimed International Year of Women Farmers by FAO. This trend promotes the valorization of local and ethical supplies, with a positive impact on traceability and brand storytelling.

Trend 4. Kitchen Couture

Food products are meant to be beautiful, colorful and “Instagrammable.” The visual is becoming a differentiator even in packaging.

Trend 5: Frozen Food

Frozen food is entering a new era: high-end dishes, careful textures, authentic flavors. An opportunity for processors to revisit this segment with creativity and quality.

Trend 6: Vinegar reinvented

Explosion of artisanal, fermented, infused vinegars. Brands are exploring new aromatic profiles and uses (cocktails, sauces, marinades).

Trend 7: Sweet but thoughtful

Consumers are turning away from refined sugars for natural sweeteners: dates, honey, maple syrup, whole fruits. A trend that pushes us to rethink “clean label” formulations.

Trend 8: The moment reinvented

Premium instant products: lattes, soups, express meals enriched with functional ingredients (proteins, adaptogens, superfoods). A great lead for the quality ready-to-eat market.

Our reading at Inno-centre?

These trends confirm a strong movement towards:

- ️ Valorization of simple and functional ingredients

- ️ Healthier and more traceable formulas

- A product design focused on the consumer experience.

For food processors, this means innovating without losing authenticity — by focusing on differentiation, sustainability and transparency.