Novembner 3, 2025 – Climate change is impacting consumer behavior in key food categories. This includes meat, fish, and seafood, where the demand for sustainable and alternative proteins is growing. Environmental issues also affect staples like chocolate and coffee, highlighting the need for reliable supply chains and sustainable sourcing practices. Consumers are becoming more price-sensitive and struggle to balance environmental concerns with affordability. Innova Market Insights looks at how these factors are influencing sustainability trends in the food and beverage industry.
Growing Consumer Interest and Climate Impact
Extreme weather is increasing media coverage and public awareness of climate change around the world. The financial impact of these events can be significant; for example, summer weather extremes in Europe led to €43 billion in short-term losses, based on analysis. These disasters also damage crops, disrupting food supply chains. This situation highlights the need to respond to environmental changes and maintain strong global supply chains in the food and beverage industry.
Regional Effects and Consumer Concerns
The effects of climate change are especially pronounced in Asia and South America, where these regions face significant production losses. Consumers are also very aware of climate issues, according to the UN’s IPCC Assessment. As a result, these areas are seeing a rise in new food and beverage products that prioritize sustainability. Globally, the primary concern for consumers is the health of the planet.
Climate Change Turning Everyday Food into a Luxury
Climate change is affecting food prices and making everyday items feel like luxury goods. More than 60% of consumers around the world think that climate change will greatly affect food and drink costs. Moreover, sustainability trends 2025 show that there has been an 18% increase in new food and drink products that emphasize sustainability and high quality. These premium claims often relate to the use of certified sustainable ingredients and better-quality cocoa.
Will Sustainable Farming Lead to Stable Prices?
62% of consumers around the world think that backing brands which invest in sustainable farming help keep food and beverage prices steady over time. Brands are highlighting their sustainable practices in marketing. For instance, Jaya Bite’s Dried Papaya says, “Cares deeply about sustainable agriculture, helping Indonesian farmers help themselves.” Most consumers, 56%, are also open to new technologies that grow climate-resilient crops.
Which Food Categories Are Hit Hardest by Climate Change Price Rises
Consumers see how climate change influences sourcing and production in the food and beverage sectors. However, they are more likely to cut back on treats like chocolate and coffee when prices go up. In contrast, the buying of essentials like fruit, vegetables, fish, and seafood usually feels less of an effect from rising prices.
Why Do Consumers Choose Plant-Based?
Although there is a clear connection to sustainability, it’s not the main reason consumers choose 100% plant-based products. In fact, sustainability trends for 2025 reveal that 48% of consumers consider them to be healthier. Having more variety in their diet also significantly influences their choice of plant-based options.
Fish and Seafood Alternatives
Sustainability trends 2025 show that meat, fish, and seafood alternatives are becoming more popular, especially fish substitutes. Even though these products have grown by 43%, only 7% of consumers buy them at least once a month. Innovations like spirulina-based smoked salmon and 3D-printed fish alternatives are sustainable and high in omega-3 and protein. They could improve how consumers view fish alternatives.
Meat Alternatives
The technology for meat alternatives is improving, and the taste has become better. However, the future is still unclear. Over the past year, 34% of consumers ate more meat alternatives, while 9% ate less. This led to a net increase of 25%. Concerns about the environment continue to boost growth, with a 16% rise in new products that claim to be eco-friendly. Nutrition is important too, with labels like “high protein” and “zero cholesterol.” This is seen in Impossible’s Steak Bites, which offer benefits for both the climate and nutrition.
Chocolate Sustainability Trends
Climate change threatens everyone’s favorite treat: chocolate. Many consumers see this problem. Sustainability trends 2025 reveal that more than one in three global consumers believe that climate change impacts how chocolate is sourced and made. The environmental impact on chocolate has already led to higher prices. Companies are trying different strategies to deal with these rising costs. One method involves reducing the amount, as shown with Mars Milk Chocolate Easter Egg, which has dropped from 201g to 171g. Another approach is to fully or partially replace the cocoa. For instance, COU Bites have substituted 60% of the cocoa. Fermentation offers a way to produce more sustainable chocolate by completely removing cocoa. An example of this is ChoViva, a chocolate alternative made from fermented sunflower seeds.
Coffee Sustainability Trends
While chocolate is a popular treat, coffee is essential for nearly 40% of consumers worldwide. If coffee prices increase, 38% would still buy it. This remains true even as coffee prices reach a 50-year high. Climate change is driving these price hikes, and producers are concerned about how to respond. Packaging often emphasizes sustainability and ethical claims, particularly regarding fair payments to farmers and biodiversity. Certifications like Fairtrade and organic are also common.
What’s Next in Global Sustainability Trends?
Sustainability is growing in importance for consumers. As people around the world are less willing to pay extra, brands need to demonstrate their sustainability without making it seem like a luxury. Innovation is transforming both luxury and everyday food and drink categories to address sustainability challenges. The main question is whether innovation can keep pace with shifting consumer habits. The future of sustainability hinges on our daily choices. Can we make sustainable choices that are easy to access as well? In the future, brands should focus on making sustainable options both available and valuable.
This article is based on Innova’s Global Sustainability Trends: Consumer Insights report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to find out more.