Chemistry Researchers Analyzed The Organic Seedlings And Ingredi
Chemistry researchers analyzed the organic seedlings and ingredients in the balance and recorded them on the laptop. At work in scientific experiments in the botanical laboratory.

Though they’re navigating rising ingredient costs, most companies have sorted out their supply chain issues this year, according to the 52nd Annual R&D Survey from Food Processing

The vast majority (95%) of the 175 participating product development professionals said their ingredient costs increased over the past year — more than half (57%) reported a 5-25% rise, and 32% saw a 26-50% increase. No one said their prices had gone down. 

However, pandemic-related challenges seem to be subsiding — two-thirds of respondents reported no difficulties with ingredient sourcing within the last year, most (64%) said economic conditions haven’t impacted how their company develops products, and 62% aren’t struggling to find new hires for R&D teams. 

Most respondents were focusing R&D efforts on creating new products and improving existing ones — (34%) rated “really new” products as their most important target for R&D efforts this year, but many also said they were looking to improve existing products (19%) and extend product lines (17%). However, some respondents said pricing challenges have limited their ability to innovate, and 16% noted cost control as a priority.

When it comes to the ingredients they’re working on this year, survey participants were most focused on removing sugar (39%), adding fiber (22%), and reducing sodium (21%). But dealing with ingredient costs created challenges in sourcing ingredients like sugar, starches, and xanthan gum. 

See the full report for more insights into food industry R&D.

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