Brewers’ global search for growth opportunities
Beer volumes in the US and Western Europe are now in long-term decline. Where might other opportunities lie?
Markets
Carving out the functional frontier of alcohol-free drinks
It’s an exciting area of innovation – but are consumers ready?
Mushroom boom in food and beverage faces shakeout as growth collides with inflation, consolidation
Functional mushroom products surge across beverages and snacks, but rising competition, consumer pullback and a wave of acquisitions signal a more challenging next phase
Abundant coffee crops; consumers wobbles and the Iran conflict: Another shake-up for coffee prices?
Coffee prices had finally started declining: but what’s next?
Collagen beverages and ingestible K-beauty gain US retail traction as Clöud Café launches at Ulta
Clöud Café has launched its coffee and matcha offerings at Ulta Beauty as alternative to leading collagen RTD products and marking the company’s first placement inside a US beauty specialty retailer.
Investor profile
Xinomavro Ventures wants to drag the wine industry into the digital age
The world’s only wine‑focused tech investment fund says vineyards are facing agricultural challenges sooner – and more severely – than other sectors. Xinomavro Ventures believes that makes them the ideal proving ground for new ag innovations
Relaxation drinks boom as consumers seek calm
The global market for functional ‘chill out’ beverages is growing by more than 8% annually, driven by adaptogen-fueled brands like Recess, Hiyo, Brēz and Trip
Unbottling hydration drinks: A need-to-have or nice-to-sell?
Innovation in electrolyte hydration drinks is exploding - but the trend may be attempting to fix a problem that doesn’t really exist
Inside the functional beverage craze: What benefits are consumers really looking for?
From gut health to energy, there’s a huge range of choice in the functional beverage category. What do consumers actually want?
Is Asia the next GLP‑1 boom market and what it means for F&B?
After a slow start, Asia’s GLP‑1 weight‑loss market is poised for explosive growth as China and India tackle obesity and food and drink brands race to become essential GLP‑1 companions
How protein is shaping active nutrition in 2026
Sustained demand for protein continues to define the active and performance nutrition space. But where are the growth niches?
Low alcohol, high ambition: Future Château eyes up demand for mid-strength wine
The 5% ABV wine has raised £0.7m in pre-seed funding from beverage industry veterans, after proving its concept with the first vintage last year
Can George Clooney replicate his Casamigos success in non-alcoholic beer?
George Clooney has teamed up with his Casamigos co-founders to launch Crazy Mountain, a new non-alcoholic brew
Low and no alcohol wine: What to look out for in 2026
Consumers are increasingly looking for alcohol-free products: where do low and no wines fit in?
4 market opportunities revealed by Mintel Most Innovative winners
When supply chain snarls and cautious consumers dominate, winners focus on health, convenience and mindful indulgence
How alcohol-free drinks can become the life of the party
Alcohol was once what held social occasions together. Now alcohol-free has the opportunity to take up the mantle
Middle East tensions, rising energy and fertilizer costs push grocery prices higher
February CPI shows food-at-home prices climbing 0.4% as supply chain risks, tariff uncertainty and volatile farm inputs threaten to add new pressure on brands, retailers and inflation-weary shoppers
Why the sleep crisis is food and drink’s next big global battleground
Sleep deprivation is becoming big business as consumers obsess over how much shuteye they’re getting, but how is the market responding?
The rise of lifestyle brands in today’s beverage industry
What is a ‘lifestyle brand’ - and how can a brand become one?
How cow‑free milk is changing coffee culture
By pouring its cow‑free milk into America’s favourite beverage, Strive Freemilk is normalising a new kind of dairy
The 50:50 Game: How brands can win on shelves
The math is brutal: on average, any given brand has a 50% chance of growth and a 50% chance of decline. How can brands execute a winning strategy?
How Diageo will push its premium power - without the premium price tag
Forget all the noise about alcohol-free and GLP-1 drugs: the fundamental problem for spirits is people have less money to spend, says Diageo CEO Dave Lewis
Vietnam’s coffee crisis threatens to upend global supply chains
Despite consumer coffee prices slipping, Vietnam’s brewing supply‑chain crisis threatens a painful whiplash for manufacturers as climate chaos, shrinking yields and land pressures trigger a new wave of cost volatility
Is kefir losing its fizz? The functional dairy identity crisis
Kefir is often described as the “champagne of dairy”. So why don’t the mainstream products outside of Eastern Europe fizz?
Coffee prices drop after record highs
For once, weather may not be the deciding factor
Inside Emmi’s growth playbook: How the Swiss dairy group is building momentum
The Swiss dairy major shows how to play in both health and indulgence – and win
Natural Products Expo West 2026
New beverage launches to watch at Expo West 2026
Pura Soda, Beyond Meat, Nixie, Malk, Tractor Beverage and more unveil their latest innovations in natural and organic drinks
Innovation in functional coffee creamers takes off
The rise of the US coffee creamer category has been largely fuelled by flavour innovation and brand collabs. But functional creamers represents a rapidly growing area.
Iran Conflict: What does this mean for global food sector?
The ongoing tensions in Iran could disrupt supply routes and drive volatility across key food commodities such as rice and meat
What US tariff ruling means for European F&B
It turns out much of the US’s tariff policy wasn’t legal. What does that mean for European food business?
Wine Australia overhauls innovation financing with new fund to boost sector resilience
Wine Australia is reforming innovation funding by combining government matching, private investment and strategic partnerships to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness, sustainability, and long-term resilience.
A tale of two shoppers: How CPGs price in a K‑shaped economy
In a K-shaped economy where spending power splits in two, CPG brands must rethink pricing, value and channel strategy to win both high- and low-income grocery shoppers.
Flavour trend-watching: Dragon fruit, watermelon and lavender shake up the beverage aisle in 2026
Fresh, fruity and floral never go out of style: but with new favourites every year
Beyond pumpkin spice: The fall flavours ready to flourish in 2026
In just six months, the pumpkin spice latte will make its seasonal return. What’s on the radar for 2026?
The power of hue: Why beverage colour matters more than ever
In a category driven by flavour innovation, functionality and format, the colour of a beverage remains one of its most powerful and immediate signals.
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariff policy
The decision is likely to spark a wave of lawsuits from businesses across the food and beverage industry and beyond
Five top trends shaping India’s beverage alcohol industry in 2026
India’s alcoholic beverage industry is undergoing a paradigm shift: and is set to grow rapidly over the coming years. What are the key trends to watch?
Top beverage flavour trends to watch in 2026
From the emergence of ‘swangy’ and ‘swavory’ to modern twists on nostalgia, here’s what to look out for in beverage flavor trends this year
Fancy Faire
6 trends redefining spicy beyond extreme heat to reach new consumers
From sweet-heat pairings and clean-label innovation to global flavor exploration and softer packaging cues, brands are transforming spicy into an everyday, elevated experience
The hottest need states driving functional food and drink
The next wave of functional innovation is coming. Here are four key need states to watch
Comfort isn’t enough anymore: Why nostalgia now needs a thrill
Comfort food now needs an edge
Functional drinks hold mass market appeal – but there’s work to do
Functional beverages are popular with wellness enthusiasts: but how wide is their appeal?
Why Sake is on a runway for global growth
The traditional Japanese beverage taps into top consumer demands for premium drinks with authenticity and craftsmanship; as well as offering a versatile lower alcohol option as a base for cocktails and more
Gen Z is drinking again, but alcohol is still in trouble
Alcohol consumption is in decline, and not just because of the allegedly health conscious young
From recalls to cold coffee: What to expect from Nestlé’s FY25 results
After a year marked by a CEO shake-up and its biggest ever product recall, the Swiss CPG major is embarking on a strategic reset in 2026
Oatly ‘milk’ ban a big win for Big Dairy
The alt dairy maker is barred from using ‘Post Milk Generation’ slogan on products
Coca‑Cola defies sector struggles with strong profit growth
Coca‑Cola reports robust results as a new CEO prepares to steer beverage giant into next phase of growth
Big FMCG vs TikTok: Who leads trends and who can win?
Bubble tea, matcha, Dubai chocolate, cottage cheese, pistachio and hot honey: Just a small selection of products and flavours that have gone viral on social media in recent years
Protein, probiotics and clean-label products top targets in new wave of CPG lawsuits
Law firms warn CPG clients to prepare for tougher scrutiny under MAHA-driven policies, Prop 65 claims and state-led investigations targeting ingredients, packaging and label language
Yuka drives reformulation but leaves brands in the dark
In a world of pervasive confusion and growing mistrust over the contents of our food, the Yuka app is one claiming to sow a few seeds of clarity and transparency