The Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) is a quarterly survey of the views of senior executives in privately held businesses worldwide. In November 2011, the report focused on the food and beverage sector. Managing Through Uncertainty: Food and beverage industry in transition presents the findings of the survey, suggesting businesses in the sector are less confident than others about their economic prospects.
The survey finds that 41 per cent of food and beverage businesses expect to increase their prices over the next 12 months, compared with just 12 per cent a year ago. These increases however do not necessarily however mean greater profits.
It also finds an increased demand for home-cooking products and budget friendly, private label brands. Changing attitudes toward healthy eating and the importance of sustainability have supported markets for healthy, organic, natural and green products, especially when these foods are marketed in well defined ways to appropriate consumers.
Read the full report here
