India, April 12 -- The 5th edition ofSnack & BakeTecand its concurrent trade fairs-Inter FoodTechandPac MechEx-saw a surge of innovation, consumer insights, and technological foresight as industry leaders convened to chart the future of food. Among the standout sessions was a presentation byBinder Technology Consultancy, an organization specializing in food industry project management, R&D, market research, and training. Hosted during the technical session by theAssociation of Food Scientists and Technologists of India (AFSTI) - Mumbai Chapter, the presentation titled"Market Dynamics and Consumer Insights for the Food Industry"captured the attention of food technologists, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders alike.
Bhushan Namdeorao Yengade, Founder of Binder Technology and a well-known food industry consultant, began his talk by addressing the elephant in the room: the recent downturn in the stock market and its ripple effects on the food processing sector. He explained,"Market segmentation has begun to shift due to changing investor sentiment. We're seeing food industry stocks being affected by larger economic variables, including inflation and geopolitical uncertainties."He emphasized how financial fluctuations are driving food businesses to rethink their strategies, pivot to essential categories, and align operations with consumer values-particularly health, affordability, and sustainability.
Delving deeper, Yengade linked these economic shifts to the environmental challenges facing the sector. His team is actively studying howclimatic changesare influencing crop yield, food safety protocols, and long-term sustainability. Binder Technology is also engaged ingreen biofuel research, analyzing how global warming can be mitigated through cleaner alternatives developed from food industry by-products. "Food is inherently tied to nature. When the climate changes, our raw materials, production processes, and supply chains all get affected," said Yengade.
One of the key highlights of the session was Binder Technology's extensive data on thesnack market, particularly in theAsia Pacific region. Post-COVID consumer behaviour has shown a sharp spike insnack consumption, driven by remote work, lifestyle changes, and emotional eating. Yengade noted,"We've seen a dramatic rise in midnight snacking habits. With people working odd hours from home, snacking has become more frequent but also more conscious." He mentoined the concept ofmindful snacking, where consumers are increasingly looking for guilt-free indulgence-low calorie, high protein, and functional ingredients are becoming key decision factors.
The crowd atNESCO's Seminar Room, Hall No. 4, erupted into applause when Yengade touched ontraditional Indian snacks, especiallyMakhana (fox nuts). He highlighted its growing prominence in the global snack market, calling it a "game-changer for Indian food processing." "Ten years ago, no one imagined that Makhana would be sold in premium packaging in global markets," Yengade remarked. "Today, it's a symbol of how tradition meets innovation." He spoke of how companies are now leveraging regional flavors and healthy processing techniques to modernize traditional snacks for domestic and international audiences.
Binder Technology's research suggests thatconsumer expectations are evolving rapidly. There is a clear demand for transparency, traceability, and nutrition. Clean labels and plant-based ingredients are more than trends-they are becoming industry standards. "In Asia Pacific, we're witnessing a dual market-a demand for both indulgent and healthy options. The key lies in product diversification and smart branding," said Yengade.
Yengade also gave credit to food scientists and technologists, describing them as "unsung heroes" of the food industry. With the surge in processed foods and new product launches, maintainingfood safety standardsis paramount. He emphasized the need forcontinuous training and upskillingamong professionals, particularly in emerging areas like nutraceuticals, shelf-life extension, and sustainable packaging.
As a consultant heavily involved infood industry project management, Yengade outlined how Binder Technology is aiding startups and established businesses in setting up efficient, compliant, and scalable food processing units. "Our goal is to make world a hub of food innovation, not just production," he concluded.
Binder Technology's presentation served as a timely reminder that the food industry is no longer just about feeding people-it's aboutunderstanding them,sustaining the planet, andnavigating an ever-evolving marketplace. As global challenges loom and consumer preferences shift, the industry will need more sessions like this-where data, tradition, and innovation come together to drive progress.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from FoodTechBiz.