TL;DR
Aronia berries are a rising star in the better-for-you food industry, boasting high levels of antioxidants and functional properties. With its numerous health benefits and increasing consumer demand for healthy options, independent retailers should consider adding products containing Aronia berries to their stores to stay ahead of the competition.
Aronia berries have the potential to become the next popular ingredient for functional food and beverage products, as reported by Food Navigator. With their high levels of antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber, Aronia berries offer numerous health benefits. In fact, Aronia berries contain three to four times more antioxidants than blueberries, pomegranates, and acai berries.
Consumers are increasingly focused on their health and are actively seeking products that offer functional claims. In a recent survey, 50% of Americans stated that they actively try to eat healthily. With a higher percentage of Baby Boomers (58%) expressing the same sentiment, the demand for products with health benefits is only expected to grow.
One of the key advantages of Aronia berries is their natural anti-inflammatory properties, which can aid in post-workout recovery. This makes them an ideal ingredient for products targeting fitness enthusiasts. Additionally, Aronia berries contain high levels of resveratrol, making them an excellent choice for products aiming to capitalize on the resveratrol craze.
Despite its potential, the aronia berry market in the United States is still in its early stages. Most Aronia berries are currently grown in Ukraine and Poland, but the American market has the opportunity to catch up. Europe produces the majority of Aronia berries and aronia-based products on the market, but with the growing interest in healthier options, independent retailers in the United States have a chance to capitalize on this emerging trend.
To incorporate Aronia berry products into their stores, independent retailers have several options. Snack bars, powders, and energy shots formulated with Aronia berries are already available in the market. Brands like Gut Bar and So Good So You offer products that highlight the antioxidant benefits and health advantages of Aronia berries. Smoothies, juices, drink mixes, and other similar products are also suitable for incorporating aronia berries.
A3, the American Aronia Accelerator, aims to promote the Aronia berry and increase its presence in the US market. Their focus is on educating consumers about the functional benefits of aronia berries and creating innovative products that showcase the ingredients. By investing in frozen berries, juices, powders, and other aronia-based products, independent retailers can cater to the increasing demand for healthier options.
Aronia berries have the potential to become the next big hit in the better-for-you food industry. With its high antioxidant content and functional properties, Aronia berries offer numerous health benefits that align with the growing consumer demand for healthy options. Independent retailers should consider stocking products containing aronia berries to attract health-conscious customers and stay ahead of the competition.