ADM Tackles Customer Preferences in Recent Report
ADM has recently released a report on global snacking preferences among consumers, highlighting that preferences are changing and showcasing six drivers that affect today’s snacking decisions.
The first factor was shown to be emotion, according to ADM’s report: nowadays, consumers find snacking to reflect both functional and emotional needs, those two often overlapping. ADM states that indulgence plays an important part in the consumption of snacks, while nutrition remains in focus.
Reportedly, customers don’t feel the need to choose exclusively sweet or salty anymore, being more open towards products that blend savor and sweetness but not limiting themselves to only those flavors. Consumers are more likely to try new combinations, ranging from spicy, to cool, to tingling sensations, says ADM.
ADM tackles the preferences of Gen Z regarding the topic of snacking, claiming that the generation is reshaping the concept of snacks with a varied approach. Gen Z reportedly favors protein-rich, grab-and-go, and meat alternatives when choosing products, while also seeking benefits related to mood, sustainability, escapism, and social connection.
The company states that over two-thirds of consumers are interested in reformulated snacks, due to the demand for added fiber and clean-label attributes like removing artificial colors, and nearly half of them are willing to accept a higher price for these snacks.
In the US, taste and affordability hold the most importance when purchasing snacks, with 75%, respectively 71% of consumers claiming this is what they look for, according to ADM’s report. Following these two factors are texture, which sits at 50%, reduced or avoided ingredients at 37%, added ingredients at 36%, premium specifications at 34%, optimization at 32%, and sustainability at 28%.
ADM also discusses the topic of GLP-1 users, who reportedly shop with more than weight loss in mind, and are willing to pay more for snacks that align with their goals. ADM claims that while many snacks already offer built-in portion control, there is an opportunity for innovation to support GLP-1 users through ingredients like protein, prebiotic fiber, probiotics, postbiotics and omega-3s.
The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, commonly known as ADM, is an American multinational food processing and commodities trading corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
