Industry News
2026/03/04
Who are the main consumer groups for puffed foods
The consumer groups of puffed food cover a wide range, with the core groups concentrated among teenagers, young people and high-frequency consumers in leisure scenarios. Teenagers and childrenThis is the most core consumer group. Puffed food has a sweet and crispy taste, bright packaging and entertainment attributes, which meet the taste preferences and social sharing needs of children and teenagers. It is a common choice for snacks, class breaks and gatherings. Young office workers and studentsYoung people aged 18–35 are another main force. They have a fast pace of life and high pressure. Puffed food is ready-to-eat, portable and cost-effective, suitable for office work, staying up late, watching dramas, commuting and other scenarios, becoming a quick choice to relieve cravings and stress. Family consumersIn family purchases, puffed food is often used as living room snacks, party snacks and rewards for children. Parents also buy in bulk during festivals and outings, forming stable family consumption. General leisure groupsAlthough middle-aged and elderly people are not the main force, they also eat a small amount when watching TV, chatting and outdoor leisure, preferring lighter, original, non-fried and healthier categories. Overall, children, teenagers and young groups are the core consumers, pursuing taste, convenience and emotional value; families and general leisure groups form a stable basic market.
2026/03/04
The role of AI tools in the candy industry
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an important driving force leading a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation. The 2023 Central Economic Work Conference proposed to vigorously promote new industrialization, develop the digital economy, and accelerate the development of artificial intelligence. In recent years, the in-depth application of AI in the food industry has injected new momentum into the development of the industry. According to data released by market analysis agency Mordor Intelligence, the application value of artificial intelligence in the food and beverage market is expected to reach $29.94 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 45.77% from 2021 to 2026. With the penetration of AI into all aspects of the food industry, how to view the positive role and negative impact of AI in the food field has also become a hot topic of discussion in the current industry and scientific circles. Design formulas, draw packaging...... AI is integrated into the whole link of food brands At the beginning of 2023, artificial intelligence represented by ChatGPT is menacing, and a number of "AI+" ideas have emerged in the food industry in marketing, packaging, products and other aspects. "AI technology has a wide range of application prospects and market space in the food and beverage industry, and plays an important role in every link from R&D, production, sales to quality control. AI technology improves the production efficiency of enterprises, which will help enterprises optimize their sales models, change their product research and development and innovation methods, and profoundly change the market competition pattern of the food and beverage industry. Guo Tao, a senior artificial intelligence expert, said. Previously, Coca-Cola's global creative platform "Lechuang Unbounded" launched a new limited product - the first sugar-free Coca-Cola "Next 3000 Years" created in conjunction with AI. It is understood that this is a commercial product with AI technology involved in flavor research and development, packaging design and product promotion. There are also many food brands that use AI as a key means of digital transformation, constantly breaking through the boundaries of imagination. Nestlé is one of the first food and beverage companies to enter the AI market, trying to improve employee productivity by providing employees with generative AI for daily office use. At the end of 2023, McDonald's announced a partnership with Google to deploy generative AI to optimize massive data from thousands of restaurants, hoping to improve restaurant operational efficiency. AI technology is bringing a disruptive technological revolution to the food industry. In addition to providing assistance in daily office, AI has shown amazing efficiency and "talent" in the speed of new product development, creative novelty, and grasp of consumer taste preferences. In October 2022, Kraft Heinz released plant-based cheese developed based on AI technology. In March 2023, Zhong Xuegao launched popsicles with the selling point of "AI full-link creation", which relies on AI technology to complete multiple links from naming, flavor selection to packaging design and product promotion; In April, Yili launched 6 milk packaging designs made by AI, corresponding to 6 keywords of "sense of technology, natural vitality, oriental aesthetics, futurism, minimalism, and innocence"; In May, Wang Laoji launched the first batch of AI-independently designed tanks - "Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains Cans", "Mountain Creek Moonlight Cans", "Climbing High and Looking at Autumn Cans" and "Green Pine Lingyun Cans". The relevant person in charge of Wang Laoji once said, "In the production and design process, AI technology can provide more diversified ideas and technical assistance, and in a field such as design that requires great creativity, the company can efficiently present ideas using AI tools." ”
2026/03/04
The reason why puffed foods are popular worldwide
Puffed snacks have gained global popularity mainly due to their excellent texture, diverse flavors, portability, affordability, and efficient industrial production, which precisely meet modern consumer demands. I. Sensory and Flavor Advantages After puffing, the porous and fluffy structure delivers a crunchy texture that relieves stress. The precise combination of salt, sugar, and fat creates a "flavor explosion" that stimulates appetite. Raw materials include grains, potatoes, and beans, with flavors ranging from classic original to regional and cross-border innovations, adapting to tastes worldwide. II. Edibility and Supply Chain Advantages They are ready-to-eat, lightweight, and portable, with a long shelf life, suitable for commuting, movie-watching, gatherings, and other scenarios. The extrusion puffing process is continuous and efficient with high raw material utilization, and large-scale production keeps prices low with high cost-effectiveness. The products are light, moisture-proof, and heat-resistant, with low global transportation and distribution costs, ensuring strong market penetration. III. Consumer and Market Drivers They cover all age groups, especially favored by young people, becoming a carrier for social sharing and emotional stress relief. The industry continues technological upgrades, launching healthier products such as non-fried and whole-grain options, alleviating health concerns and expanding consumption boundaries.
2026/03/04
With the upgrading of consumption, traditional foods are increasingly imbued with health attributes, and candies are also beginning to upgrade towards a healthier direction. Currently, the entire candy industry is attempting to find new breakthroughs in functionalities, vegetarian nutrition, sugar reduction, and other creative ideas, which has become a key aspect of the innovation trend in the candy industry. Functional sugar In the confectionery category, functionality represents a promising development direction. Although the market share of functional candies is currently small, their health benefits remain a significant profit growth point that cannot be ignored. According to data from the China Commerce Industry Research Institute, functional candies have seen significant growth in the domestic sales market, with the functional candy market expected to exceed RMB 8.6 billion in 2022. According to NBJ data, global sales of functional candies doubled in just four years (from 2014 to 2018). Among functional candies, soft candies are particularly popular. According to consumption data from Tmall, in 2020, functional soft candies became the fastest-growing health product dosage form among young groups such as the post-90s generation and Generation Z. Currently, there are soft candies on the market that supplement vitamins and minerals, DHA soft candies, yeast zinc soft candies, probiotic soft candies, melatonin soft candies, collagen soft candies, and other products. The launch of functional candies is an extension of traditional candy brands into high-end product categories, reflecting consumers' high-level and multi-layered demands for candy products. Sugar-free candy With the increasing demand for health, the trend of "low sugar, no sugar" has emerged, and consumers have also put forward demands for confectionery products - not only nutritious and healthy, but also with less sugar. Against the backdrop of reducing sugar intake becoming a global trend, the daily demand for traditional candies has gradually decreased. According to the "2019-2023 Candy Industry In-depth Market Research and Investment Strategy Recommendation Report", China's candy production was 3.31 million tons in 2017, a decrease of 6.0% from the 3.52 million tons in 2016. In 2018, China's candy production dropped to 2.88 million tons, marking a year-on-year decrease of 13.0%, with the decline further intensifying. To this end, many companies have launched sugar-free lollipops, such as Hsu Fu Chi's Dr. Bear sugar-free lollipops, Three Squirrels' Little Deer Blue Blue sugar-free lollipops, and Tang Cube's sugar-free lollipops. The development of sugar-free candies is worth looking forward to. Vegetarian candy The proposition of plant-based products is another significant consumer trend in the confectionery market. Data indicates that from 2016 to 2020, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for confectionery products claiming to be vegetarian was 17%, while the CAGR for confectionery products claiming to be plant-based more than doubled last year. Candy manufacturers are eliminating ingredients such as dairy products, gelatin, and carmine to meet the growing demand for plant-based products, which are perceived not only as healthier but also more ethical and sustainable. For instance, the Canadian candy brand Yumy Bear offers low-sugar vegan gummy bears that utilize plant-based ingredients instead of gelatin. In recent years, with the diversification of consumers' health demands, numerous candy manufacturers have prioritized the research and development of new products that meet consumer needs. A steady stream of innovative products has injected new vitality into the candy market. Riding the "health" wave, the candy industry is slowly moving forward.
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