Speciality Food Magazine May 2024

specialityfoodmagazine.com 31 Nut Butter Bar CLIF BAR The CLIF BAR Nut Butter Bar 50g is a quick, satisfying snack made with organic ingredients like creamy nut butters and rolled oats. This plant-based bar provides a balanced mix of nutrients, including 7g of plant-based protein and 9 to 11g of whole grains, to help power you through your day. With its delicious nut butter filling, the CLIF Nut Butter Bar is a certified organic, satisfying treat that appeals to your taste buds while fuelling your body. Available in three flavours including the best seller Peanut Butter. worldofsweets.co.uk which has grown considerably in recent years. Look out for ‘healthier sweets’ in enticing shapes and flavours made purely with fruit, all-fruit snacking bars, and dried fruit crisps, delivering a really great crunch thanks to new processing techniques. From dragonfruit to mango flavour, this is a new sweet spot for consumers. DRIED MEAT Low in fat and sugar, but high in protein, meat snacks have come a long way, and there is consistent growth in this snacking format. Shoppers are looking for premium versions of biltong and jerky, especially those boasting a British flag, and made with grass-fed beef or higher welfare free-range meat for sustainability. HFSS Shoppers want to boost their wellbeing, while satisfying that snacking itch. Look to stock products that are lower in sugar, fat and salt, with health-boosting properties (such as higher protein, added vitamins and minerals) and clean ingredient decks. Ultra processed foods are of increasing concern to consumers and the power of natural products is not to be underestimated. PULSES From brisket flavoured broad beans, to chocolate-coated chickpeas, roasted lentils, pulse crackers and crisps, and savoury pulse blends, this is an arena to keep your eye on, particularly as pulses fit the ‘protein-packed’ bill. GOURMET NUTS Nuts sales increased by more than 8% year on year in 2023, again, because of all that magical protein in the pack. Help your customers elevate their snacking experience by seeking out nut options that play into the latest trending flavours – from hot, to sweet and spicy and meaty. IN 2024 THE UK CRISPS AND SAVOURY SNACKS MARKET WAS ESTIMATED AT £3,483 MILLION. FOR THE SAME PERIOD NUTS WERE VALUED AT £367 MILLION, POPCORN AT £144 MILLION AND MEAT SNACKS AT £60 MILLION SNACMA FUN We’ve noticed some really cool developments in snacking in the last 12 months. They include rice bites, cauliflower chips, snack-sized savoury crackers, corn nibbles, an explosion of puffed pork rind (a lower fat version of scratchings), and so much more. It’s so key to stock the essentials (like ready salted crisps), but experiment with some of these newcomers and see what hits the mark with your customers. SWICY Dial up the heat, and add a twist of sweetness. Swicy as a flavour profile is everywhere right now. We’re predicting the ‘it’ ingredient (hot honey) will land in snacks this year, so keep your eyes peeled. Look for snacks that bring together fire and a hint of sugar. Thai chilli crisps or rice cracker snacks are a familiar, recognisable place to begin. INDULGENCE The dopamine hit of a really good piece of chocolate or a handmade biscuit or cake is just what many consumers are after. There are plenty of options in this space for retailers now. Frommini packs of luxury chocolates, to individually- sized chocolate bar portions, and grab-and-go packs of shortbreads and cookies. Artisanal varieties, keenly priced, should fly off the shelves this year.