This year, SIAL Paris 2024 is set to once again take center stage as the most influential global event for the food and beverage industry. As the world’s largest trade fair dedicated to the food sector, SIAL provides a platform for companies from all over the world to showcase their latest innovations in food industry developments, explore emerging trends, and connect with industry leaders.
Furthermore, the 2024 edition is expected to focus on trends that reaffirm the central role of food in our lives, such as the emotional connection people have with food and the increasing importance of food as a means of social bonding. These trends, alongside discussions on sustainability and technological innovation in the food industry, will shape the event’s vision of the future of food, offering valuable insights into the evolving relationship between food, individuals, and society.
SIAL 2024 Explores Critical Issues Facing the Food Sector
Held every two years, SIAL has grown in scope and importance over the past six decades, becoming a key event for anyone involved in the food industry. This year’s edition, taking place from October 19 to 23, 2024, holds particular significance as it marks the 60th anniversary of SIAL. Throughout its history, SIAL has consistently played a transformative role in driving innovation in the food industry and shaping the evolution of the global food market. The 2024 edition is expected to address how the food industry can navigate and thrive amid unprecedented challenges on a global scale, with a strong focus on innovation in food processes and products.
Adaptation of the food sector to global challenges
The theme for SIAL 2024, “Own the Change,” highlights the urgent need for the food sector to adapt to the environmental, economic, and social pressures that are reshaping global food systems. Recent crises, including the ongoing cost-of-living challenges, geopolitical instability, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, have catalyzed a fundamental rethinking of how food is produced, distributed, and consumed. Supply chain disruptions and rising food prices have led to noticeable changes in consumer behavior, with many opting for smaller portions, more affordable brands, and alternative purchasing methods to cope with these pressures.
Innovation in sustainable processes and practices
At the core of SIAL 2024’s agenda are a series of high-level summits, conferences, and workshops focused on leveraging technological innovation and sustainable practices to not only meet immediate demands but also prepare for the future. Topics such as the integration of artificial intelligence in food production, innovations in the supply chain, and the advancement of sustainable food systems are set to dominate the discussions.
Innovation in food processes and products will be a key aspect of these conversations, highlighting how the industry is responding to global challenges by rethinking how food is created, processed, and delivered. These conversations come at a crucial moment, as the industry works to balance long-term goals for sustainable practices with immediate challenges, such as inflation and supply chain fragility, to ensure a resilient and sustainable food.
The Emotional and Social Evolution of Food at SIAL 2024
One of the key features of SIAL 2024 is its strong focus on trends that highlight the central role of food in our lives. This includes the increasing emotional and social aspects of food consumption in today’s world. The themes of „feeling“ and „connecting“ will be central to this year’s discussions, reflecting the changing relationship consumers have with food and providing valuable insights into how companies can adjust their offerings to meet evolving consumer expectations.
Food as an emotional connector
The emotional connection people have with food has evolved in recent years, especially in response to global challenges like economic uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis. Food has become a source of comfort, joy, and indulgence, offering a way to cope with the stresses of modern life. According to recent surveys, 40% of Europeans say that comfort is a primary reason for their food choices. This shift has led to a growing demand for products that offer unique sensory experiences through innovative flavors, textures, and visual presentations, transforming food into an indulgent escape from everyday pressures. This sensory-driven approach is reshaping not only the food products themselves but also how they are marketed and presented in retail settings and restaurants.
The social dimension of food
Furthermore, food’s role in bonding human connections has gained renewed significance, emphasizing the social dimension of food consumption. Following the periods of isolation and social distancing caused by the pandemic, consumers are once again rediscovering the communal nature of food. Whether through gathering with friends and family around a shared meal or immersing in new culinary traditions, food has become a powerful means of reconnection. Nearly 30% of consumers now associate food-sharing with a sense of community, highlighting its importance as a tool for bringing people together.
This revitalized focus on togetherness is evident in the growing popularity of communal dining experiences, food courts, and cultural food festivals. Restaurants and food brands are actively responding to this shift by designing spaces and offering products that facilitate social interaction. From large communal tables to events centered on cultural culinary exchanges, these environments are meant to strengthen social bonds and enhance the shared experience of food. Innovation in the food industry actively influences these experiences, driving the development of unique spaces and products that cater to the social and emotional aspects of food consumption.
The importance of SIAL 2024 for companies in the food sector
These considerations put in evidence how events such as SIAL are nowadays extremely significant, as they provide an opportunity to reassess and change the way we connect with food. For businesses in the food industry, these gatherings are not just about presenting new ideas; they are crucial platforms for participating in strategic conversations about the future of the industry. With the increasing global challenges, it is more important than ever to examine the wider impacts of food on society and the environment.
BTSA and market trends reflected in SIAL 2024
Firmly rooted in these principles, BTSA actively engages in these critical industry discussions. Through ongoing innovation in food processes and products, BTSA adapts to the evolving needs of the market, providing solutions that enhance both the quality and sustainability of food products. Our focus on addressing global challenges allows BTSA to offer practical, long-term answers to the complex issues facing the food sector, reinforcing its role in driving positive change and contributing to a healthier, safer, and more resilient food system.