[Workshops] 2026 ANZ Food and Drink Predictions | Melbourne

Venue:
The Commons South Yarra – Wilson Street, 11 Wilson Street

Challenges such as long-term health optimisation and supply chain upheaval are complicating consumers’ daily lives.

For food and drink companies, the opportunity lies in fostering resilience by showing they, too, are navigating these issues while offering solutions that empower consumers to endure and thrive amidst adversity.

Being resilient is a lasting lesson from COVID-19, but Mintel’s global food and drink analysts predict three perseverance will emerge as a motto for 2026:

“Maxxing” Out, Diversity In​

In the coming years, consumers will have felt the health benefits of consuming sufficient protein and fiber, and they will aim to improve their dietary diversity.​

Retro Rejuvenation​

More food and drink brands will support consumers’ need for control by harnessing society’s reawakened fascination with historic ingredients, traditional formats or age-old wisdom.​

Intentionally Sensory​

New formulation inspiration will come from innovations developed to answer the specific sensory needs of underserved consumers, such as elderly consumers, GLP-1 medication users and people with neurodivergences like ADHD or autism.

The presentation will feature consumer insight and production innovation examples from Australia, New Zealand and mentor markets across the globe.