AI usage among CPG executives jumped 69% from last year, according to a new report from agri-food technology consultancy Bright Green Partners.
While this growth is perhaps not surprising, large food companies should keep current challenges in mind in order to “unleash meaningful business impact” from AI tools: human creativity and pristine data sets are essential when it comes to real agri-food innovation.
What works:
Amsterdam-headquartered Bright Green Partners, which maintains a network across Europe, has named AI in food production as the first of eight trends to watch in 2026 for executives, investors and innovation leaders working in or near agri-food.
Among the report’s findings:
- AI in food processing is expected to grow from approximately $15 billion in 2025 to approximately $140 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 28%.
- FMCGs are now leading AI adoption: 71% of FMCG executives surveyed are now using AI, up from 42% in 2024.
- AI enables faster food formulation cycles because “generative tools can explore thousands of ideas quickly.” For example, Nestlé generated more than 1,300 concepts in three weeks instead of a few months. (Circa 30 actually I did it in the pipeline.)
- How ingredients work together (e.g. gelling, emulsifying) becomes more predictable with AI. This could help companies improve the health or sustainability profile of a food without diminishing its sensory properties.
- Sensory modeling becomes more predictable: “AI predicts taste, mouthfeel, meltiness, crispness and guides the optimization of alternative meat, alternative dairy products, drinks and ready meals. »
What remains a challenge:
Businesses may now lead the charge in AI adoption, but the Bright Green Partners report also highlights factors that could make these companies obsolete instead of innovative.
Many CPGs cling to the status quo. As the report notes, “Many organizations continue to default to ‘the way we’ve always done it,’ leading to slow integration of AI into core workflows. Low-risk processes, siled R&D structures, and limited digital skills make teams hesitant to trust AI recommendations.”
Overuse of generic generative models could result in homogeneous products within a company and industry. “Human creativity and proprietary data sets become key differentiators. »
Businesses overestimate the creativity of AI. “It’s not great for creating new ideas; It’s great to improve what already exists. . . The greatest value today lies in combining human expertise with AI precision – human intuition and data-driven iteration,” noted an expert interviewed for the report.
How Startups Help
The Bright Green Partners report highlights a number of startups currently developing AI-based tools that address businesses’ agri-food technology needs:
NotCo uses its AI tools to help its industrial partners, including Kraft Heinz, develop better products.
