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Insight of the Day: Soup to ice cream: climate change pushing consumers to iced treats

Key Findings:

  • Soup consumption has declined, and ice cream consumption has risen in Spain over the last 25 years, especially during typically cooler months like February and November.

  • Warmer weather leads to more consistent demand for ice cream throughout the year, while shortening the seasonal window for soup.

  • Wine consumption, particularly red wine, has decreased during warmer months, while beer consumption has surged, especially in winter months where it previously had lower sales.

Key Takeaway:

  • Climate change is reshaping food and drink sales, extending the sales window for warmer-weather products like ice cream while reducing demand for cooler-weather products like soup and red wine.

Trend:

  • The trend is the adaptation of consumption patterns to shifting climate conditions, with warmer temperatures encouraging greater demand for cold, refreshing items (e.g., ice cream, beer).

Consumer Motivation:

  • Consumers are responding to the practical need for more refreshing, cooling products as temperatures rise throughout the year.

What’s Driving the Trend:

  • Climate change is the key driver, causing fluctuations in seasonal temperatures that directly impact food and beverage preferences.

Who the Article Refers to:

  • The article refers to European consumers, particularly those in southern Europe, whose food and drink choices are influenced by changing weather patterns.

Consumer Product or Service:

  • The products mentioned are ice cream, soup, beer, and wine. These products appeal to broad age ranges but may see different levels of consumption based on regional climates and generational preferences.

Conclusions:

  • Climate change is altering traditional seasonality for food and drink products. Ice cream consumption is rising year-round, while soup and red wine are declining due to warmer winters.

Implications for Brands:

  • Brands must "climate-proof" their portfolios, diversifying product offerings to account for unpredictable weather patterns and changing consumer preferences.

Implications for Society:

  • As climate change continues to affect food habits, there may be shifts in local food cultures and traditions, with colder-weather foods losing significance in warmer climates.

Implications for Consumers:

  • Consumers may need to adapt their food choices to fit a changing climate, relying more on cold and refreshing foods as warmer temperatures become the norm.

Implications for the Future:

  • Climate change is expected to further blur traditional seasonal distinctions, requiring ongoing adaptability from food and beverage producers and consumers alike.

Consumer Trend:

  • The rise of year-round indulgence in warm-weather foods, especially ice cream and beer, driven by increased temperatures and longer warm periods.

Consumer Sub-Trend:

  • A decline in cold-weather products like soup and red wine as winters become milder, pushing consumers toward alternatives.

Big Social Trend:

  • The growing need for climate adaptability in food production and consumption, as unpredictable weather patterns reshape dietary habits.

Worldwide Social Trend:

  • Global climate change is influencing food consumption patterns across regions, forcing brands and consumers worldwide to rethink traditional seasonal behaviors.

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