‘It’s not going to be easy’: Food industry faces uphill growth battle in 2026

The food and beverage industry is gearing up for a challenging growth environment in 2026, as persistent cost pressures, slowing consumer spending and intense competition are prompting many manufacturers to cut jobs, lower prices and rethink innovation strategies to stay relevant.

With consumers increasingly value-driven and price-sensitive, brands that sharpen their value propositions, lean into on-trend offerings and engage audiences with targeted marketing and experiential messaging will be better positioned to sustain momentum despite the headwinds.