What is driving growth in Latin America's food business today is no longer simply volume — it is a profound shift in consumption decisions. In a region where food remains a priority expenditure, consumers are redefining their preferences toward fresher, higher-quality products with clear health benefits, reshaping the entire industry landscape.

Against this backdrop, categories such as bakery, meat, beverages, and unprocessed foods have moved beyond their role as basic staples to become the primary engines of sector growth, responding directly to these new market demands. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Euromonitor International estimates, the food and beverage industry in the region is sustaining annual growth rates of approximately 3% to 4%.

In the case of bread and wheat-derived products, their importance remains structural in the regional diet. As Marcela Morales, Executive Director of ADEPAN, notes: "In Colombia, roughly 22 kg of bread is consumed per person, meaning that 58% of Colombians include it in their breakfast or early-morning meals."

The meat sector, for its part, maintains high relevance throughout the region, with per capita consumption ranging between 60 and 70 kg per year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the FAO.

The beverage industry, meanwhile, is undergoing a transition toward healthier options. According to Euromonitor International, functional beverages — low in sugar or made with natural ingredients — are growing at more than 6% annually across Latin America.

The most disruptive growth is being seen in unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Taken together, these four sectors share a common thread. As Doris Chingaté, Project Manager at Corferias, explains: "They are responding to a more informed, more demanding consumer who is increasingly willing to pay for products that earn their trust. It is no longer simply about supplying the market — it is about offering differentiated value propositions."

This is a trend that is not only transforming the domestic industry, but has also led international companies to seek new directions and strategies to meet consumer needs — a conversation that will take center stage this year at the new edition of Alimentec | Anuga Select Colombia 2026.

The largest food industry trade fair in the region will not only host these discussions, but will also welcome globally recognized brands such as Angel Yeast from the United States, Agrosuper from Chile, Kuvings, and Andean Vale, among others.

"Alimentec Anuga Select Colombia is an opportunity to taste 100% Colombian products and recognize the work of thousands of men and women who, from the fields, contribute to the regional economy and the country's food sovereignty," says Rafael Hernández Lozano, General Manager of Fedearroz.

"Today, sector growth is not about selling more of the same — it is about understanding the consumer better. The categories leading the market are those that manage to connect with their new priorities: health, quality, and origin," says Alberto Almanza, Project Manager at Koelnmesse. "That is redefining the way companies produce, distribute, and innovate."

This shift is also opening doors for new players. Small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as specialized startups, are gaining ground by focusing on high-value niches where differentiation is key.

In this context, events like Alimentec | Anuga Select Colombia 2026, to be held at Corferias, are becoming increasingly relevant by bringing together the leading players across these categories in a single space. Beyond a commercial showcase, the event is positioning itself as a forum for analyzing where the industry is headed and where the real growth opportunities lie in a market undergoing transformation.

As the food and beverage sector continues to demonstrate its resilience across the region, these segments are the ones setting the pace today — not only because of their size, but because of their capacity to evolve alongside a consumer who no longer eats the way they once did.

Companies and professionals interested in participating can register and find more information at feriaalimentec.com, and join Alimentec | Anuga Select Colombia 2026 — the meeting point for discovering trends, forging alliances, and strengthening the food and beverage business across the region.