Retail boom for aquatic plants expected

The Trends Council of Whole Foods Market – a leading US supermarket chain – has revealed the food trends it believes will emerge in 2025. Each year, the Council consists of more than 50 members – including professional collectors, buyers and culinary experts – and develops trend forecasts to anticipate and respond to consumer preferences.

“This year, we’re especially excited to celebrate how far we’ve come by highlighting trends for 2025 that not only reflect growing consumer preferences, but also push the boundaries of what’s possible for the world of food. We’re excited to see how these trends take shape and inspire our customers in the coming year,” Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief merchandising and marketing officer at Whole Foods, said in a statement.

The council’s analysis of current consumer trends ranks aquatic ingredients such as cultured seaweed and duckweed among the most anticipated retail booms for the coming year.

The Whole Foods team has particularly high expectations for the market for sea moss, which is already enjoying increasing popularity as a wellness ingredient. Other aquatic ingredients expected to grow in popularity in the near future include duckweed, which offers a nutritious, protein-rich alternative to leafy greens, and agar-agar – a gelatin alternative made from seaweed such as seaweed Gracilaria.

“From major food movements around animal welfare, climate and transparency to the changing tastes and preferences of consumers, trends in food will dominate our dinner table conversations in the coming years and help develop some of the best ideas and solutions for the future.” commented Whole Foods Trend Council member Cathy Strange.