At retail level, the global food and beverage market is worth almost $10,000 billion a year, and is growing at around 5% a year. Food and beverages account for around 90% of global sales of fast-moving consumer goods (the remaining 10% is made up of non-food items such as hygiene and cleaning products).

The most important markets are China and the USA, with India only in third place, although India is expected to see the strongest growth of all the major markets, thanks to the rapid expansion of the middle classes. The five major food and beverage markets in Europe collectively represent a value roughly equivalent to that of the US market, which has a similar total population.

Despite global growth, increased consumer awareness of health and environmental impacts, the trend towards natural ingredients and changing regulations could pose some challenges for manufacturers and retailers in the sector.

Meenthe has carried out a wide variety of projects in the food and beverage sector in USA, America, Europe and Asia.