Young Aussies want sustainable packaging

Sustainable packaging continues to be a key trend in the Australian food and drink market, driven largely by younger generations, according to Mintel.

The global market intelligence agency’s food and drink predictions for 2019 explore new trends in sustainability, health and wellness, and convenience. It found 32% of urban Australians prefer products that are sold in eco-friendly packaging and 34% prefer to buy products that are produced using sustainable sourcing methods.

Mintel’s Associate Consulting Director, ANZ for Mintel, Shelley McMillan, said: “Australian i-Gen consumers, more so than any other generation, prioritise the importance of sustainability and environmental practices of brand.

“In particular, 16- to 34-year-old urban Australians have significantly higher purchase intent regarding food products with a carbon neutral claim versus other age groups.

“The definition of sustainability is changing to encompass the entire product life cycle from ingredient sourcing to package disposal or re-use. This more circular approach will require companies, retailers and consumers to embrace their roles in the sustainability cycle in the near future.”

Mintel also found 57% of urban Australians consider ‘healthy food’ products as one containing all-natural ingredients. McMillan said the packaged food and drink industry is being challenged to keep up with healthy eating priorities, quests for ‘foodie’-inspired flavours, interest in personalisation and competition from speedy delivery services.

“Meal kits and food service-inspired beverages have led the way for premium convenience food and drink with two in five urban Australians saying that convenience, as in ease of ordering, influences their decision to buy one everyday product over another.

“Today’s consumers need to save time throughout the day. This creates opportunities for brands to develop healthy, flavourful, customisable and quick products for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and dessert occasions.”

Technological advancements will also increase consumers’ expectations for convenient food and drink, the report suggested. Almost a third of urban Australians have made a purchase through an online retail site or app such as Amazon or eBay.

“A new generation of automated convenience stores is accelerating the pace of grab-and-go even more. Integration with technology makes automated retailers potentially faster than fast food, drive-thru or ordering for delivery.”

Moving forward, Mintel expects to see an increase in corporate sustainability programs and restaurant-quality, ready-to-consume products.

Mintel’s 2019 Global Food and Drink Trends are available for download here.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Kais Tolmats