Aslan Birincikişi
Marketing Manager of Indomie Türkiye

Emphasizing that brands need to align their product development processes with consumers’ evolving expectations, Aslan Birincikişi, Marketing Manager of Indomie Türkiye, shared five key consumer trends that are set to shape the food sector in 2026.

With the arrival of 2026, the global food industry is entering a period in which consumers’ product choices are no longer driven solely by taste, speed and convenience, but also by the story stretching from farm to table, the transparency of production processes, and the clarity of the value they receive from a product. In this new era, reliability, traceability and a balanced price–performance equation are becoming the core drivers of purchasing decisions, while consumers increasingly gravitate toward familiar, accessible brands that offer no unwelcome surprises. Through its transparent production approach—opening its manufacturing facility to visitors—along with its local supply chain structure and consistent quality standards, Indomie Türkiye provides consumers with a comprehensive framework of trust that meets these expectations.

Stating that the brand maintains the taste, accessibility and consistent experience of its products while responding to both the emotional and functional needs of the modern consumer, Indomie Türkiye Marketing Manager Aslan Birincikişi outlines the consumer trends that will shape the food sector in 2026.

1. Sensory-driven products will gain importance: According to Mintel forecasts, in 2026 consumers will place greater emphasis not only on taste but also on sensory elements such as texture, aroma, color and temperature when choosing food and beverages. As the need to create brief moments of comfort during the day grows stronger, brands are expected to design products that respond to these multi-sensory expectations. This sensory-focused approach deepens the bond between consumers and products, while also creating opportunities for brands to deliver more memorable and emotionally supportive experiences.

2. Transparency will come to the forefront: Data from Innova Market Insights shows that 58% of consumers globally want clear and understandable information about the origin of ingredients used in products. This expectation, which directly influences purchasing decisions, is pushing brands toward simpler ingredient lists, greater visibility across the supply chain, and clearer communication of production processes. In the food and beverage category, transparency not only builds trust but also becomes a fundamental preference criterion that strengthens long-term relationships between consumers and brands.

3. Value-oriented consumption will stand out: According to the NielsenIQ Consumer Outlook: Guide to 2026 report, consumers in 2026 want to clearly see the return on the money they spend. Under the influence of economic conditions, purchasing behavior is moving away from a sole focus on low prices toward products that offer high quality, reliability and tangible benefits at accessible prices. While the price–performance balance shapes consumers’ value-oriented decisions, the real benefits and long-term value offered by brands are becoming the key determinants of purchasing motivation.

4. The search for comfort and reassuring choices will intensify: During periods of heightened global uncertainty, consumers tend to gravitate toward brands they trust, have become accustomed to over the years, and that hold a place in their daily lives. According to Euromonitor International’s Global Consumer Trends 2026 report, this tendency—defined as the “Comfort Zone”—does not eliminate the search for innovation, but rather points to a consumer behavior in which choices are shaped around lower-risk, familiar and accessible options.

5. Digital-focused competition will increase: Brands operating in developed markets are rapidly expanding their global impact by combining accessible pricing, innovation and digitally driven experiences. China’s export value is projected to reach USD 4 trillion by 2026. To remain competitive, businesses need to strengthen mobile-first digital experiences and design seamless shopping journeys that integrate content and commerce.

Transparency will be the defining expectation of 2026

Commenting on the future of the sector and the brand’s 2026 vision, Indomie Türkiye Marketing Manager Aslan Birincikişi stated: “Projections for 2026 show that consumers are no longer seeking only taste and speed; they are focusing on the brand’s story, transparency in production processes, and the authenticity of the value offered to them. We see that trust has become one of the fundamental elements determining not only preference but also loyalty in the food and beverage sector. In this context, opening our Çerkezköy production facility to visitors has been an important step in meeting consumers’ expectations for transparency. Our use of local raw materials at a rate of nearly 70% supports the delivery of a reliable, sustainable and accessible product experience. While our accessible pricing policy reflects a value-oriented consumption approach, the importance we place on sharing information about our production processes is among the factors that strengthen the bond established with the brand. With our technological infrastructure and local production capacity, we aim to respond from today to the expectations of trust, quality and transparency that will define 2026.”