Selling way

Prepared Foods, March, 2005

A new global study by ACNielsen (New York) identifies the fastest-growing food and beverage categories, most of which support healthful diets, weight loss and convenience. "What's Hot Around the Globe--Insights on Growth in Foods and Beverages 2004" found seven categories posting double-digit revenue growth over the course of the past year. Of those, five were notable for their health or weight-loss benefits, including the top two: soy-based drinks ( 31%) and drinkable yogurts ( 19%).

In more-developed markets, the popularity of high-protein/low-carbohydrate diets factored heavily in the category growth, but it also had negative consequences. For instance, none of the 10 "non-sweet carbohydrates" categories saw sales increase by more than 4%.

While some evidence suggests the low-carb phenomenon is slowing, it is not the only trend on the wane. Prepared alcoholic beverages (flavored alcoholic beverages or malternatives) were a big story in the report two years ago, where the category clipped along at a strong 33% rate. In 2004, the sales growth tapered off to 2%. For more information on the report, visit acnielsen.com.