Lotte Confectionery, AI-Analyzed Food Trends of the Year: "Plant-Based, Quality Sleep, and the Return of Tea"

Analysis Data of AI-Based Trend Prediction System 'Elxia'
Summary of This Year's Food Trends in 7 Keywords (P.L.EA.S.S.AN.T)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] Lotte Confectionery analyzed this year’s food trends through its AI-based trend prediction system ‘LCIA’ and presented the word ‘PLEASSANT’ (pleasant; enjoyable, good feeling) as a term encompassing the trends.

According to Lotte Confectionery on the 19th, ‘PLEASSANT’ stands for ▲Plant-based foods (P) ▲Low or non (L) ▲Easy or convenient (EA; Easy eat-snack bar) ▲Stress less/deep sleep (S) ▲Strawberry’s infinite transformation (S) ▲Anti-aging, healthy aging (AN) ▲Tea’s comeback (T).

First, ‘LCIA’ focused on the increasing interest in plant-based foods. Consumer mentions of plant-based foods increased by about 140% as of February this year compared to last year, and interest in plant-based foods is expected to continue.

Interest in foods with reduced or removed specific ingredients (Low or non) is also expected to grow. Last year, sales of sugar decreased by -5.9% and salt by -4.6% compared to 2018, while interest in natural sweeteners such as monk fruit, stevia, erythritol, and honey, which can replace sugar, increased. In alcoholic beverages, low-alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks showed strong performance, and this trend is expected to continue this year.

The increasing trend of easy-to-make and convenient (Easy eat-snack bar) foods in the market is also notable. The number of instant soups and stews that can be easily prepared at home doubled from 82 in 2017 to 168 last year. In response, Lotte Confectionery recently launched the frozen bakery ‘Saengsaeng Bbangsanghoe’ and the nutrition bar ‘Cho Energy Bar’ that provides convenient nutrition.

Functional products for stress relief and deep sleep (Stress less/Deep sleep), which are gaining consumption domestically, are expected to become more popular. High-potential combination DNA ingredients recommended by ‘LCIA’ include ‘basil,’ ‘valerian root,’ and ‘St. John’s wort.’

Domestic consumers mentioned and consumed strawberries (Strawberry) the most among fruits last year (sales: 143.9 billion KRW, mentions: 1.73 million), and the popularity of strawberry-related products is predicted to increase this year as well. Accordingly, Lotte Confectionery has recently launched various products featuring strawberries, such as Kkokkalcorn, Pepero, and Choco Pie.

Efforts toward anti-aging and healthy aging (Anti-aging) continue. Analysis of Instagram hashtags related to aging using ‘LCIA’ big data showed that skin and wrinkles were the most frequently mentioned, and overall big data results highlighted not only beauty but also antioxidant effects, nutrition supply, and immunity. Ingredients recommended by ‘LCIA’ include collagen, calcium, lutein, hops, and ginseng berry.

Finally, ‘LCIA’ forecasted that tea products will gain spotlight this year. The tea market is gradually expanding, and tea was frequently mentioned as an ingredient with a high success rate when combined with snacks. Recommended specific ingredients include gujeolcho, chrysanthemum, jasmine, prickly pear, and honeybush.

Jung Min-ju, head of the marketing planning team who prepared the trend report based on ‘LCIA’ analysis data, said, “We hope that the trend information disclosed this time will serve as an opportunity to revitalize the overall food and beverage industry.”

‘LCIA’ is an AI trend prediction system introduced by Lotte Confectionery in 2018. It comprehensively analyzes 70 million social data points, L-point POS data, weather, and various other data, and predicts future food trends through its proprietary algorithm to recommend optimal new product ideas with high success potential. It plans to continuously provide food market trends through big data analysis in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.