Global food and beverage survey results released

DALLAS — "Global Food and Beverage Survey 2012-2013: Demand, Budgets, and Key Markets for Innovative Technology" is a new report by Canadean that analyzes future expectations about the significance of new technology in the global food and beverage industry.

The report examines and analyzes the key growth markets for innovative technologies in 2012-2013, the use of intelligent packaging, technology spending activity, the use of nanotechnology, and technology transfer in the industry. This report is the result of an extensive survey drawn from Canadean''s exclusive panel of leading global food and beverage industry executives.

The projected average global annual procurement budget for buyer respondents is US$173 million in 2012-2013.

The key drivers which are influential in the implementation of nanotechnology are ''helps in extending shelf life'' and ''enhances food safety'', as identified by 57% of food manufacturers each.

Some of the survey highlights include the following:

· Across the global food and beverage industry, 57%, 45% and 44% of respective respondents identify ''packaging'', ''preparation or production'', and ''marketing'' as operational areas projected to demonstrate increased use of technology in 2012-2013.

· Overall 62% of global food manufacturers identify ''pasteurization'' as the most widely used technology in food processing, followed by ''high-pressure processing'' and ''UV treatment'' as identified by 41% and 28% of respondents respectively.

· ''Consumer convenience'', ''safety and traceability'' and ''environmental concerns'' emerge as key drivers of active and intelligent packaging for global food and beverage industry suppliers.

· According to global food manufacturers, packaging materials such as ''recyclable plastics'', ''paper and board'', and ''degradable plastics'' are expected to record increased demand in 2012-2013.

· Overall, 60% of respondents identify ''food and beverage packaging'' as the most important area projected to record increased use of technology transfer in 2012-2013, followed by ''new product development'' and ''food processing'' as identified by 54% and 51% of respondents respectively.

· According to survey results, the top three innovative technologies used in food and beverage processing are ''pasteurization'', ''high-pressure processing'', and ''UV treatment''.

· Survey results show that, 48% of supplier respondents identify ''dairy'' as the product segment most likely to record increased use of processing technologies in 2012-2013 followed by ''soft drinks'' and ''prepared meals'' as identified by 35% and 32% of respective respondents.

· ''Cost savings'', ''development of new products'', ''operational efficiency'', and ''market demand'' are instrumental in the implementation of new technology within their organizations.

· According to global food and beverage manufacturers, ''cold storage technology'' and ''shelf life extension technology'' are considered key packaging technologies.

· Overall, 20% of global food and beverage manufacturer respondents plan to allocate between 5%-10% of their total procurement budget towards technology solutions in 2012-2013.