Abstract of French meals tendencies
- Twix‑model desserts surge as menu mentions develop practically 4 hundred p.c
- Pure components achieve momentum with contemporary fruit snacking rising considerably
- Salads thrive because of flexibility assembly a number of shifting shopper well being wants
- Excessive‑protein demand grows whereas French shoppers prioritise general protein high quality
- GLP‑1 utilization stays low as French attitudes present sturdy scepticism
When tendencies in meals and beverage, we regularly see them from a continental and even international perspective. Tendencies comparable to GLP-1 uptake or high-protein transcend borders and have an effect on shoppers around the globe.
However what about tendencies on the degree of a person nation? It can be crucial for the meals business to grasp shoppers in particular person international locations, and what makes them distinctive.
What tendencies are driving French shoppers? And the way do they play into international tendencies? We check out 4 key French shopper tendencies.
1. Twix and Twix-like merchandise
Nestlé-owned chocolate bar Twix has seen monumental reputation amongst French shoppers.
In keeping with the AI-driven analytics platform Tastewise, the presence of the chocolate bar on French menus has proven 389% year-on-year progress.
“Twix is being mentioned disproportionately in dessert-style, texture-led, and format-driven contexts, which may inflate visibility with out implying extra bars are being purchased and eaten,” explains a spokesperson for the corporate.
The spokesperson clarified that its presence on menus could not overtly suggest the branded product, however that the phrase is getting used to explain desserts just like it.
In brief, it’s getting used as “dessert ingredient cue and format inspiration”.
Twix uptake can be being pushed by new codecs, the spokesperson instructed. “Twix is being pulled into extra events and codecs, even when unit purchases are underneath strain.”
2. Pure components
French shoppers are keenly eager about ‘pure’ components, explains Ophelie Buchet, affiliate director at analytics firm Mintel.
In keeping with Mintel, round 44% of French shoppers need pure components.
That is mirrored in consumption in addition to want. Round 66% of French shoppers have snacked on contemporary fruits in 2025, in comparison with 50% in 2023.
Salad can be an enormous development, showing on 56% of French menus, based on Tastewise.
“Salads are common as a result of they’re one of the crucial adaptable and context-flexible meals,” says the Tastewise spokesperson. They enchantment to a number of shopper priorities.
In a time when shoppers are shifting well being priorities, salads supply a versatile and low-risk means of enhancing well being with out restriction. They’ll simply carry different components comparable to proteins, grains, and even “indulgent” toppings, but nonetheless have the fame for being wholesome.
“Their reputation is just not pushed by novelty, however by their potential to fulfill a number of, typically conflicting wants on the identical time.”
3. Excessive-protein and protein high quality
The excessive protein development is actually growing in France. In keeping with Mintel, 17% of French shoppers needed excessive protein in 2025, in contrast with 11% in 2019.
That is seen notably in breakfasts: in 2025 63% of French shoppers believed a high-protein breakfast was necessary, in contrast with 15% in 2020.
This protein reputation has led to a rise in new high-protein launches: from 2% of all French launches in 2020 to three% in 2025.
Nonetheless, in France, most shoppers – 68% of them, actually – are assured that they get sufficient protein, explains Mintel’s Buchet. Due to this, a lot of shopper focus is on protein high quality, not amount.
54% of French shoppers take note of protein high quality, “displaying a chance for manufacturers to maneuver in direction of communication based mostly on … variety and advantages“.
4. GLP-1s solely seeing average use
Maybe not a development however the absence of 1. GLP-1 use is just not as vital in France as in another geographies.
In reality, solely round 2% of the French inhabitants are utilizing the medication, explains Buchet, and this use is usually restricted to diabetes remedy. When in comparison with the US (18% previous and current customers, based on Mintel) and even the UK (4%), that is fairly small.
GLP-1 for weight-loss is just not reimbursed by social safety, so, says Buchet, its use is strongly discouraged.
Views on the medication among the many French public are largely sceptical as effectively.
“Solely 7% of French shoppers agree that diabetes drugs that scale back urge for food are a superb answer for weight reduction. 30% want to know extra about how these drugs will help them handle their weight.”
