In 2025, we have seen that in most foreign markets, long-term consumer spending trends show declining expenditure shares for staples (like rice and wheat) and increasing shares for higher value food items—such as meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Food suppliers and retailers have responded to demand by modifying their products and retail formats to better meet consumer needs. Additionally, multinational retailers have expanded in developing countries.
The global-food industry structure has been changing as manufacturers and retailers adjust to meet the needs of consumers, who are increasingly demanding a wider variety of higher-quality products (USDA).
This is great news for our incredible Colorado Proud members! The high quality, diverse and unique food offerings that make Colorado a true “foodie” state, are resonating throughout the world.
Specific markets that have Colorado on their watch list are in Asia, Europe and North America. The top 10 global trends in 2025, according to Innova Market Trends, have been:
- Elevated Standards: Starting with the ingredients, consumers are seeking ingredients with elevated features such as health benefits, nutrition, freshness and shelf life, and naturalness.
- Precision Wellness: Consumers are proactive about their health, including using nutrition as a tool to help manage their health issues. They also say that personalization improves the effectiveness of nutrition plans.
- Flavors: Consumers seek fun and excitement in food and beverage products. They enjoy unexpected flavors, fusion cuisines, cobranded products by heritage brands, unusual product formats, mash-ups of more than one type of product, and limited editions.
- Gut Health: Digestive/gut health is the top driver of purchases of functional food and beverage products. Consumer interest also is high in hallmark gut health ingredients, namely, fiber and prebiotics to feed the microbiome.
- Re-Thinking Plant Based: Consumers are not 100% satisfied with today’s plant-based offerings. They want choices that are less processed, more natural, have better taste and texture, offer health benefits and environmental focus.
- Sustainability: Consumer awareness of climate change is top of mind. Consumers are very aware of climate change and say they are open to climate-related actions such as sustainable farming practices, climate resilient crops, and novel crop cultivation technologies. Consumers also say they notice package claims regarding the protection of nature.
- Beauty Food: Anti-aging products are no longer limited to just older consumers. In fact, younger consumers are the most interested in anti-aging merchandise.
- Food Culture: This trend is focused on reinventing tradition in food culture, including both honoring authenticity and heritage.
- Mood Food: Consumer trends surveys show that consumers are increasingly concerned about their mental and emotional wellbeing. Younger generations in particular strive to support and improve their mental health.
- AI - Artificial Intelligence: Brands are beginning to unlock the full power of AI. They are moving from infinite capabilities to concrete applications that elevate consumer experiences
As we look ahead to 2026, these trends are expected to continue, and the focus on freshness, ingredient sourcing, health benefits, and nutritional content will grow. Food manufacturers will need to build trust and transparency in order to grow their businesses.
Today, Asia is Colorado’s largest export market, with a focus in South Korea and China for our high-quality beef, while farmers across Asia look to Colorado dry beans and grains as livestock feed. North America (Canada and Mexico) remain top export markets due to low trade barriers and the Canada-US-Mexico agreement (USMCA).
If you have any questions or would like to connect with our International experts here at the Colorado Department of Agriculture, please do! Connect with John Addison or Ashley Warsh in the Export Assistance Program and see all the support they can offer, as well as upcoming events!
Enjoy November, and get ready for the upcoming holiday season! We wish you great success with your business!
Thank you for being a Colorado Proud member,
Barb Howe