Over the past few years, the food industry has been witnessing significant growth due to the robust developments and innovations that have been contributing to the market’s growth bandwagon. Hence, customization has been a secret mantra for players in the
food industry today; numerous manufacturers of food products are now looking at creating differentiated products as per the consumer preferences. This has created new market opportunities for the market players today.
If we look at some growing trends, there has been a clear shift in food consumption patterns from unprocessed foods to processed and ultra-processed foods. Furthermore, hectic lifestyles in developed nations have led to a declining trend of cooking and a growing trend of snacking.
Also today, consumers are nowadays more inclined towards buying processed foods such as bread & cereals, frozen and packaged meals, to name a few. And because of this, the market is expected to drive the consumption volumes of food processing ingredients in the food & beverage industry.
The changing market dynamics have given a fillip to consulting services for food processing units, right from Startups, Expansion, Recipe development, New Product Development, Process Development, to Marketing Online/Offline, and imports/exports.
The role of Food industry Consultants, Food Processing Consultants and Food Safety Consultants has become an important factor in the Food Industry today. For instance, solutions ranging from identification of products to plant setup and commissioning has become crucial for food manufacturers to bring out quality food products in the market today, especially with the rising competition.
Important Role of Food Advisors
A food consultant partner must act as a personal advisor who works as an advocate for their client in achieving the goals; a partner who can robustly strategize designing of food service facilities and operations management systems. Their knowledge and expertise with the restaurants and eatery ventures are otherwise not available in-house.
Some of the characteristics of food and beverage industry consultants are having innate knowledge in the hospitality and food-beverage industry, providing specialized services, imparting advice to clients across various topics, bring in professionalism and expertise, incorporate cooperation between the project team and food operators, advocate food service operations and most importantly developing the clients’ business.
However, to reap all the benefits out of food consultants, choosing a food consultant is the most crucial aspect. So, one must partner with firms who have all the aforementioned characteristics to compete in today’s volatile market. Therefore, designing and implementing food service facilities by providing expertise, knowledge and experience which does not exist in-house, is what food manufacturers expect from the consultants. Also, deliverability of resources is looked upon by consultants, which is seldom ensured in most cases.
