Plant Lipids at the UK Food and Drink Expo

We participated in the UK Food and Drink Expo from 7th April to 9th April, at the NEC, Birmingham, engaging with a diverse group of potential clients and industry experts at a significant event. Over the course of three days, we interacted with around 150 customers.

The participants provided invaluable insights into client preferences, industry trends, and effective strategies used by competitors.

Customer Engagement and Common Questions

During the event, we had the opportunity to interact with a wide range of visitors, from established brands to emerging companies. Several common themes emerged in the questions raised by attendees:

Stability Comparisons: A key discussion point was the comparison between synthetic and natural colours, with clients wanting to understand the stability and performance differences between the two.

Heat-Stable Red Shades: Many visitors inquired about the availability of heat-stable red shades for various applications.

Natural Blue Colours for Beverages: Several beverage companies expressed interest in finding a natural blue colour to meet consumer demand for clean-label, natural products.

Popular Products

Our product range received significant attention, with several items standing out as particularly popular:

Red Shades for Bakery Applications: We received numerous inquiries about the availability of red shades, especially for use in bakery products.

Antioxidants: This year, we placed a strong emphasis on antioxidants, and their versatility was a key topic of interest for attendees.

Natural Extracts: There was growing interest in natural extracts such as black pepper and paprika, with many visitors asking about their potential applications.

Seasoning and Extract Blends: These ready-to-use blends garnered considerable attention for their convenience and ability to maintain consistency across batches.

Industry Insights and Emerging Trends

While few clients openly shared industry insights, we observed some noteworthy trends emerging from the conversations we had:

Plant-Based Product Development: There was a significant increase in inquiries related to plant-based products, indicating a growing demand for plant-based ingredients across the food and beverage sector.

Superfoods and Nutritional Ingredients: Many visitors expressed a heightened interest in ingredients that offer both health benefits and flavour. Superfoods are becoming increasingly popular as consumers seek out options that combine nutritional value with taste.