5 key APAC food & beverage trends to watch in 2026
We take a look at five of the most crucial APAC food & beverage trends redefining the industry in 2026.
These include localisation, AI driven-growth, as well as new innovation directions for the Gen Z consumer. Click the link above to see more.
Mondelez, Uncle Saba’s: Nostalgia and mindfulness shaping snack trends
Sentimentality and health are increasingly influencing consumer snack choices, as they seek comfort, tradition and emotional connection in their purchases
According to data from analytics firm Euromonitor, the global snack market hit US$679bn in retail sales in 2024, a significant amount given the state of the economy in many markets.
“In the midst of turbulent tariffs and politics, rising producer costs and dynamic consumer habit shifts, the [snacking] industry continued to realise a rise in value [and our five-year forecast] until 2030 predicts that this growth will continue [as the] sector moves beyond pandemic-related strains and intensifies its focus on value-driven upgrades,” Euromonitor global insights manager Carl Quash III said.
What’s next for chocolate? Key trends shaping a $184bn market
Chocolate is changing fast - premium indulgence, health-driven treats, and even cocoa-free innovations are rewriting the rulebook
Chocolate is one of the biggest and most successful sectors in food and beverage. And with a global value of $123bn (€106bn) it’s also the single biggest confectionery category.
That said, the cocoa crisis continues to shape the industry, changing the way suppliers and manufacturers operate.
Shifting consumer trends are also throwing up issues, as industry fights to keep pace with evolving shopper tastes and priorities.
TikTok’s influence on food: How online trends blow up
The social media platform can drive food trends to the point where they move markets
TikTok trends exert an outsize influence on food and beverage, especially among younger consumers. The app has been instrumental to the success behind popular food brands as well, from ice cream brand Little Moons to Japanese chain Itsu.
Its influence is so significant that researchers are exploring just how the app influences dietary preferences and the uptake of viral trends. How much influence does the wildly popular platform have in food?
Healthy, familiar, accessible: Making alternative protein more scalable
From mung bean snacks to microalgae desserts, familiar and healthier formats are emerging as key levers to help alternative protein firms scale
These concepts were showcased through Singapore-backed initiatives, offering insight into how technical and consumer barriers can be addressed.
Mung bean puff snack and microalgae frozen dessert were featured at TFoodS 2025 in Singapore’s Punggol Digital District, an event to promote alternative protein adoption and awareness.
These creations aim to show how alternative protein products can overcome technical and consumer acceptance barriers by using familiar, healthier formats.
