The time has come once again to look back and reflect on what these past 12 months have brought to the industry.
2025 has been impacted by several factors such as geopolitical instability, rising inflation, lower consumption due to that inflation – and the list goes on. So, while the context may have been better, it could have also been much worse.
Supply chain operations were largely unaffected, which is always a good sign; manufacturers kept pushing the innovation button, bringing new and exciting products to market; and several positive trends have made their way into mainstream.
It’s worth noting that 2025 is the year when we finally saw technology adoption at scale – whether it’s smart packaging, AI use cases, or blockchain operations, it does seem like technology drives everything today. That won’t only increase efficiency, it will also allow for more traceability, an increase in supply chain transparency and less food waste.
Next year will hopefully bring an end to insecurities and uncertainties, mostly those generated by constant or looming conflicts, allowing companies to once again focus solely on improving the market. In terms of economic stability, as much as it is influenced by the things previously mentioned, there are other moving parts that keep the economy running.
Next year’s main industry events, such as interpack or SIAL, should give us some indications about the state of the industry. Until then, it will be interesting to see which trends unfold, as consumer behavior usually serves as a pointer to where the market is heading.
As such, until next time, I wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! bogdan.angheluta@trade.media