What is Future Food? Get to Know the Background of this Trendy Segment

Future Food refers to innovative foods formulated based on advanced agricultural technologies and sustainable practices. The background stems from increasing concerns over health and environmental impacts, as well as food security. The trend of future foods has been a significant challenge for the food industry and many food processors, as not only manufacturing systems, but marketing, distribution and consumption are also elements that require re-engineering. In this article, we will introduce you to the Phenix, your no.1 wholesale food market in Thailand, where sourcing for quality agricultural produce has never been easier.

The Universe of Future Food – What are They?

Future food embraces functional food/medical food, plant-based food, alternative proteins, cultured meat and organic food. Each of which has its target customers. Understanding the difference and scope will enable you to seize opportunities and achieve in the competitive food industry. Now, let’s explore the universe of future foods.

• Functional Food/Medical Food

  This type of Future food features foods packed with important nutrients that not only provide basic nutrition but also functionally help prevent diseases and boost your immune system. Medical Food refers to foods specifically tailored for individuals with specific health needs, like metabolism issues or irritable bowel syndrome.

• Plant-Based Food

  Plant-based proteins and ingredients from plants range from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, beans to oils.

• Alternative Proteins

  Bugs as insect proteins have become popular for consumers who care about sustainability. They are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.

• Cultured Meat

  Targeted at vegans, vegetarians and consumers with sustainability in mind, Cultured Meat is created by mimicking real cells and tissues using stem cell technology.

• Organic Food

  These are safe agricultural products free from chemicals, like pesticide-free veggies and agricultural produce, naturally raised pork and chicken, and organic pasteurized milk.

Which Future Food is Currently Trending?

According to NXPO (the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council), which is the dedicated working group for Thailand’s Future Food, in 2021, the exports of Thailand's future foods generated over 94 billion baht of revenue. The major markets included the USA, China and Vietnam. It is estimated that the value shall reach 157 billion baht by 2027. Undoubtedly, the future food trend is evident. With the abundance of natural resources, tropical climate conditions, ideal crop varieties, inexpensive labor, modernized manufacturing facilities, comprehensive logistics and flexible investment regulations, Thailand can keep up with this business trend very well. Now, let’s get to know which Future Food is currently trending.

1. Functional Food/Medical Food

Aimed at improving consumers’ health and well-being, Functional Food and Medical Food include fortified cereals, tea, beans, probiotic yogurt, Omega-3 enriched eggs, gluten-free noodles and seasoning, and many more.

2. Plant-Based Food

Vegans, vegetarians and even those with sustainability in mind often opt for plant-based foods, like frozen vegetarian meals, ready-to-eat salad pack with plant proteins or plant-based milk.

3. Alternative Proteins

Target consumers of alternative proteins are vegans, vegetarians and sustainable consumers who’re familiar with alternative proteins like insects. In Thailand, Rod Duan or fried bamboo worms is highly popular. Other alternative proteins include cricket, pea and tempeh.

4. Cultured Meat

Major consumers of cultured meat are health-conscious people and environmental advocates. Food like lab-grown chicken or pork and cultured beef patties can respond well to this food trend.

5. Organic Food

Organic Food has dominated the widest range of consumers for two decades and this food trend is going strong. The most popular types of organic food are organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed organic beef and organic whole grains.

The Trend of Future Foods in Food Industry and Restaurant Business

The trend of future foods in the food industry and restaurant business emphasizes sustainability, health and innovation. Consumers increasingly seek plant-based options, alternative proteins, and functional food and medical foods that promote their well-being. Restaurants are adopting sustainability and eco-friendly practices while incorporating trendy ingredients like cultured meat and organic produce. This change caters to health-conscious diners and environmentally aware consumers, driving demand for diverse, nutritious and ethically produced food options.

Future Food Sourcing at Phenix

If success in the food industry is your goal, understanding the trend is essential. Let us introduce you to the Phenix, the mega Bangkok-based wholesale food market, where you can find a wide spectrum of quality ingredients from both local and international sellers. Alternatively, if you opt for an online wholesale platform, the food market has run a comprehensive purchasing solutions called the “PhenixBox”!!

Phenix Box

Introducing “PhenixBox,” Thailand’s top O2O marketplace! It’s all about connecting local sellers with international buyers through direct interactions. PhenixBox links the Phenix with our online platform, making it super easy to access a wide range of products and services. We’ve got you covered with support for payments, logistics, and messaging to ensure your transaction runs smoothly. The three following cool features are designed to make your wholesale journey easier:

• Group Purchase: Want to buy just a little as a try-out? No problem! You can team up with other entrepreneurs to score better prices.
• e-Catalog: Browse through a variety of quality ingredients for Future Food and essential equipment for your business.
• Seller Store: Feel safe and secure! You can check out seller profiles and see their ratings to make sure you’re dealing with trustworthy people.

We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights into this trend, enabling you to identify new business opportunities in the competitive industry. At PhenixBox, we believe that "Flavor Gets Its Wings Worldwide." We are your trusted partner for expanding business opportunities on a global scale through the future food trend. For more information, please contact us at Phenix, where agricultural produce is readily available to you 24/7.