Sweets & Snacks Trends: ISM Cologne 2025
Published 12 February 2025
At this year’s ISM Cologne (2-4 February), the world’s largest trade show for the sweets and snacks industry, pioneering confectioners, snack developers and beverage brands doubled down on climate-savvy ingredient sourcing and waste upcycling. Meanwhile, delivering appetising eats that offer a multitude of health benefits without sacrificing fun and flavour was a key priority.
Bite-Sized Wellbeing
Furthering Responsible Snacking
New Flavour & Texture Foundations
To compete in the global healthy snack market, which is set to exceed $152bn by 2030 (Statista, 2025), snack and beverage brands at ISM Cologne filled their products with gut-friendly pre- and probiotics, energy-boosting ingredients, and vitamins and minerals. Meanwhile, alternative flours were highlighted for their ability to provide multiple wellness benefits.
To compete in the global healthy snack market, which is set to exceed $152bn by 2030 (Statista, 2025), snack and beverage brands at ISM Cologne filled their products with gut-friendly pre- and probiotics, energy-boosting ingredients, and vitamins and minerals. Meanwhile, alternative flours were highlighted for their ability to provide multiple wellness benefits.
Confectionery suppliers, savoury snack brands and drink developers highlighted their sustainable ingredient development. This included new takes on waste, such as upcycled cocoa fruit pulp used in luxe truffle products, protein alternatives made from chicken feathers and cashew apple fruit juice. Meanwhile, finding cost-effective alternatives to climate-sensitive cocoa was a priority amid soaring global prices.
Snacks providing new sour sensations in diverse formats proliferated, as did products that married sweet, savoury and spicy flavour dimensions. Meanwhile, treats that took inspiration from Tik Tok-trending pistachio-filled Dubai chocolate inspired new product innovations. Read Future Flavour Forecast 25/26: Sensory Cues and Future Flavour Forecast 25/26: Wellness Flavourways for more on upcoming flavours.
Sweets & Snacks Trends: ISM Cologne 2025
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