Five Food and Beverage Tech Predictions for 2022 and Beyond

Here are Cashmere Systems’ five food and beverage tech predictions for 2022 and beyond.

1. Blockchain and Traceability

Blockchain is a digital ledger that’s stored securely and records transactions simultaneously across all of the computers in a given network. And this technology will revolutionise the food and beverage industry in 2022. In fact, by 2024 it’s predicted that the global food industry could save $31 million if companies invest in blockchain technology to monitor their supply chains. Importantly, blockchain provides the food and beverage industry with the opportunity to trace the entire lifecycle of food products from their origin. With increasing interesting in the awareness of food health, the industry will place a stronger emphasis on the role of blockchain technology and traceability solutions in 2022. Traceability is best defined as a a system which can track products and ingredients from their production to consumption — “farm to fork” or “farm to table”. Advanced traceability software solutions will become a critical tool for food and beverage manufacturers who seek increasing transparency across their supply chains due to ever—increasing regulatory demands.

2. Robotic Automation 

Robotic automation in factories and in restaurants will become more popular in 2022. Faced with increasing costs, robotic automation can help companies improve almost every stage of their operational practices via accurate and repeatable processes that reduce costs.

3. Food Waste Reduction 

The reduction of food waste continues to be a global challenge and will remain high on the political agenda in 2022 and beyond. Food and beverage manufacturers will turn to demand planning software and demand forecasting software as a means of reducing waste. These software solutions deliver accurate, precise demand forecasts by harnessing the power of the latest forecasting models and machine learning algorithms. 

4. Cultivated Proteins (Lab-Grown Meat)

Cultivated proteins are another recent technological food innovation that will take firm root in the alternative protein marketplace in 2022. Recent research published in Foods estimates that lab-grown meat will soon be taking a larger market share. The study found that the average consumer believed that this form of protein will make up at least 40% of their future meat consumption. The research states: “Our findings showed a high level of openness (80%) in both the US and UK populations, with 40% somewhat or moderately likely to try and 40% highly likely to try. Younger generations had the greatest openness: 88% of Gen Z, 85% of Millennials, 77% of Gen X, and 72% of Baby Boomers were at least somewhat open to trying cultivated meat”. 

5. The Food and Drink Trends of Tik-Tok

Social media will continue to hold a firm grip on marketing in the food and beverage industry beyond 2022. According to Vice Magazine, ‘TikTok Is the Food Platform of the People’: “TikTok food is best explained by its big trends: the viral one-pan breakfast sandwich showed a lifehack for a common meal; the three-ingredient dalgona coffee can be made by anyone who can vigorously whisk; the tiny pancakes are just regular pancakes but small”, outlines Vice. Food and beverage companies should certainly seek to understand the ever-increasing power of the Tik Tok platform. 

If your food and beverage company is looking to scale and grow via ERP solutions, traceability and demand planing software, and meet all the FDA requirements, get in touch with Cashmere today.