Agritalia S.p.A.

🥇 We are thrilled to announce that our #BellaItalia Organic KAMUT® Fusilli has been awarded the prestigious Italian Food Awards USA 2024 in the #Pasta category! 🌟   The award was presented during the ongoing #SummerFancyFood Show in New York, during the ceremony organized by Italianfood.net. This award highlights the most #innovative Italian food products launched in the #USA market over the past two years, meeting the growing demand for #authentic Italian cuisine.   We brought the #award home, and it now proudly overlooks the stunning Gulf of #Naples, with the majestic Vesuvius in the background.   Thank you to everyone who supports our mission to bring high-quality #Italian food to tables worldwide.

The food and beverage industry has experienced a decline in #innovation of nearly 50% since 2007. According to Mintel, only 26% of new products introduced in early 2024 are considered truly innovative, compared to 50% in 2007. This decline is attributed to challenges in the supply chain, low-profit margins, and difficulties controlling product temperatures. While innovation in consumer packaged goods (#CPG) has faced challenges overall, the food and beverage sector has been particularly affected, leading to an increasing consumer preference for #privatelabel products. Companies such as McCormick & Co. and Conagra Brands emphasize the importance of innovation for growth. However, the high failure rate of new products and the desire to maintain existing brands have discouraged significant #investment in innovation, potentially impacting long-term profitability and market position.

As #snacking outperforms traditional meals, consumers increasingly opt for nutrition bars that combine taste with specific #health benefits. These next-gen bars, blending #protein and carbs with functional ingredients, target diverse health goals like cognition, hormone balance, and stress control. Brands innovate by balancing functionality with palatability and adjusting ingredients to maintain taste. Functional bars must also have a stable shelf life, often achieved by gentle baking processes to preserve #nutrients. With #consumers scrutinizing ingredients closely, brands focus on clean labels and transparent nutrition information. This shift reflects the growing importance of bars as a staple of daily nutrition, similar to traditional meals.

As demand for clean-label products increases due to inflation and regulatory changes, companies must use effective messages and #natural ingredients to align with customers' #health and #sustainability preferences. #Customers now connect "clean" products to personal and environmental well-being. Improved natural #food colors meet this demand, with ingredients such as carrots, purple sweet potatoes, and spirulina providing vivid possibilities. Brands confront problems from rising costs and regulatory changes, but they may seize opportunities by emphasizing value and wellness. Younger consumers, particularly #GenZ and Millennials, prefer items that represent their societal values.

Chef Andrew Hunter, chef of global development for Kikkoman, emphasizes using #umami, the fifth key flavor, to minimize salt and improve food quality. Umami, described as meaty and delicious, can increase the sense of salt, considerably reducing sodium. Foods rich in umami include soy sauce and parmesan cheese, which develop their flavors through fermentation. Hunter illustrates that using umami in #cooking may improve overall taste without adding #salt. He advises chefs and manufacturers to use umami and correct cooking techniques to enhance flavor, limit salt intake, and improve the #culinary experience. For example, a tablespoon of Kikkoman's Less Sodium Soy Sauce has much less sodium than ordinary salt while providing an excellent taste boost.

The frozen food aisle is seeing a rise in #storebrand products as consumers seek cost-effective options. The American Frozen Food Institute and #FMI report reveals that 20% of #frozen food buyers usually choose private labels, driven primarily by price. #Privatelabel and national-brand frozen foods saw sales growth in 2023 despite a slight drop in unit share. Consumers show weak brand loyalty, with many switching brands based on the item. This #trend allows retailers to expand private label offerings, particularly in premium and healthier products. Innovations in frozen food, such as upscale #pizzas and convenient meal kits, enhance perceived value and meet the needs of budget-conscious shoppers, fostering loyalty and reducing food waste.

A report from Nutiani, Fonterra's nutrition solutions brand, reveals that 65% of consumers plan to improve their #diets for better #health despite rising prices. The survey, which included 2,500 respondents from China, Japan, South Korea, the U.K., and the U.S., shows that 67% prioritize wellness. #Consumers increasingly seek scientifically proven "better-for-you" products, with 60% citing health concerns as a top issue, up from 55% in 2021. As health-oriented food becomes standard, consumers are budgeting carefully, focusing on essential nutrition despite financial constraints.

According to FMI, #privatelabel grocery brands are maintaining strong momentum. Over half (55%) of shoppers increased their purchase of these brands in the past year, compared to 28% for name brands. Despite potential #grocery price drops, nearly half of #shoppers plan to buy more private brands, while only 27% intend to do so with name brands. Shoppers value private brands for cost, #value, quality, and #taste, with 53% considering them crucial for deciding where to shop. Key categories for #privatebrand purchases include fresh bakery, dairy, non-prescription drugs, and fresh prepared foods. While private brands excel in price and value, they lag behind name brands in trust, novelty, quality, and product information.

Agritalia was honored to be part of the innovative documentary "Saving the Last Shelf: The Supply Chain in the Modern Era," ideated and shot by filmmaker Antonella Ciancio Pessin. With over 35 years of experience, Agritalia has deep knowledge of global food industry dynamics. In recent years of unprecedented supply chain disruptions, the company has demonstrated its ability to adapt and innovate. "We are truly pleased to have contributed to the 'Saving the Last Shelf' project with the experience we have gained over these complex years," says our Sales & Marketing Director, Leo Nucera. "From the pandemic to geopolitical tensions, from environmental challenges to difficulties related to new market dynamics, we have shared our expertise on how companies can face current challenges through innovative and flexible solutions." During the project, Leo Nucera emphasized the importance of an agile and smart logistics model, capable of quickly adapting to unforeseen changes and ensuring the continuity of operations even in adverse conditions. "Companies with responsive and resilient supply chains are better equipped to handle disruptions and minimize damage." Agritalia is also deeply committed to advancing #sustainable practices and combating #foodwaste and loss. The company's #logistics model is designed to minimize waste and emissions. A research project with the University of Sheffield further underscores this sustainability focus. Looking ahead, Agritalia reaffirms its commitment to investing in advanced technologies and strategies to build a more sustainable, flexible global food system - a crucial step toward a safer future. Watch the full video on YouTube: #savingthelastshelf #supplychaindocumentary #supplychain

This edition of #SummerFancyFood has been really special for me: first, I finally came in person after many years of organizing from behind the scenes; second, and much more importantly, our brand #BellaItalia Organic Kamut Fusilli won the prestigious Italian Food Awards for the #Pasta category! I am so happy that the goodness and #authenticity of our pasta is recognized and appreciated, not only by the jury, but especially by consumers. The #AncientGrains project is a wonderful adventure that started last year in collaboration with Brooke Gil and Whole Foods Market, through which we proudly support in our way the mission of "Nourish the people and the planet." I leave the summary of this experience to the words of my musical guide in #NewYork: "Now you're in New York, These streets will make you feel brand new, Big lights will inspire you, Let's hear it for New York." Italianfood.net Specialty Food Association Agritalia S.p.A.