Kerry Unveils 2026 Supplements Taste Charts, Shaping Future Flavors

Kerry, a prominent leader in taste and nutrition, has launched its 2026 Supplements Taste Charts for the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. This initiative highlights the shifting taste preferences and the increasing demand for flavour-rich, lifestyle-oriented supplements and sports nutrition. As consumers in these regions increasingly perceive supplements as essential to their daily wellbeing, the market is responding to a desire for enhanced taste and texture alongside health benefits.

The global supplements market is projected to reach US$107 billion by 2029, with the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) regions showing significant growth. Key drivers of this trend include heightened health awareness, busy lifestyles, and an interest in personalised nutrition, particularly in countries such as China, India, and various Southeast Asian nations.

Flavour Trends Reshaping the Market

Consumers are moving away from traditional supplement forms like pills, preferring more innovative and flavourful options, including gummies, chews, drink mixes, dissolving strips, and powder blends. In this evolving landscape, flavour plays a pivotal role in masking undesirable tastes, enhancing emotional connections, and suggesting quality and effectiveness.

Three major flavour trends have emerged in the APMEA regions:

1. **Simplicity Amplified**: There is a clear shift towards transparency and authenticity among consumers. Flavours inspired by whole foods, botanicals, and fermented notes are gaining traction, with popular options such as citrus, yuzu, ginger, turmeric, and matcha. These flavours not only signal healthful ingredients but also complement today’s convenient and lifestyle-friendly formats.

2. **Category Crashers**: As mealtimes become more fluid, the lines separating food, beverage, and supplements are blurring. This trend highlights the emergence of hybrid products such as savoury energy bars, confectionery-inspired supplements, and coffee-infused condiments. These innovative formats reflect contemporary eating habits and consumers’ desire for unique combinations.

3. **Maximalist Flavour**: Driven by younger demographics, maximalism focuses on bold and layered flavours that provide a sensory experience. Popular profiles include dessert-style options, intensely sour flavours, and spicy combinations. This trend positions supplements as enjoyable lifestyle additions rather than mere functional products.

The sports nutrition segment is also expanding, with active consumers seeking flavours that align with their performance needs. For instance, the Simplicity Amplified trend is evident in refreshing citrus hydration blends and botanically-infused recovery products. Meanwhile, Category Crashers introduce café-style profiles and soda-inspired electrolytes, while Maximalist Flavour can be found in extreme sour or spicy pre-workout products.

Consumer Expectations Drive Innovation

“Consumers across APMEA are demanding more from their proactive health products, not only clinically supported benefits but also flavours that excite,” said Olivier De Salmiech, Vice President of Health & Therapies at Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa. He emphasized that when products are enjoyable, science-backed, and seamlessly integrated into daily routines, they become anticipated wellness rituals.

As the demand for flavour-forward supplements continues to rise, Kerry’s 2026 Supplements Taste Charts provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of health and nutrition. The focus on taste, combined with a commitment to quality and efficacy, is set to shape the future of the supplements industry in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions.