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Plunkett's Food Industry Almanac 2026: Food Industry Market Research, Statistics, Trends and Leading Companies

Publisher Plunkett Research, Ltd.
Published Apr 15, 2026
Length 685 Pages
SKU # PLK21146399

Description

PLUNKETT'S FOOD INDUSTRY ALMANAC 2026

Key Findings:

A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms within the Food Industry. Gain vital insights that can help shape strategy for business development, product development and investments.

Key Features:
  • Business trends analysis
  • In-depth industry overview
  • Technology trends analysis
  • Forecasts
  • Spending, investment, and consumption discussions
  • In-depth industry statistics and metrics
  • Industry employment numbers
Additional Key Features Include:

Industry Glossary

Industry Contacts list, including Professional Societies and Industry Associations

Profiles of industry-leading companies
  • U.S. and Global Firms
  • Publicly held, Private and Subsidiaries
  • Executive Contacts
  • Revenues
  • For Public Companies: Detailed Financial Summaries
  • Statistical Tables
Key Questions Answered Include:
  • How is the industry evolving?
  • How is the industry being shaped by new technologies?
  • How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
  • What is the size of the market now and in the future?
  • What are the financial results of the leading companies?
  • What are the names and titles of top executives?
  • What are the top companies and what are their revenues?
This feature-rich report covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the Food Industry.

Plunkett Research Provides Unique Analysis of the Following Major Trends and Technologies Affecting the Food Industry

1. Major Trends Affecting the Food Industry
2. Introduction to the Food Industry
3. The State of the Food Industry Today
4. Genetically Modified (GM) Seeds and Crops Planted in Dozens of Nations/Agribio R&D Investment Is High
5. Genetically Modified (GM) Foods Prompt Controversy, Labeling and Legislation
6. Plant-Based Meat Substitutes Developed
7. Selective Breeding, Mutagenesis and Gene-Editing, Including CRISPR, as Alternatives to GM Seeds
8. Obesity Sparks Government, School and Corporate Initiatives/Snack Foods Get Healthier
9. Revolutionary New Drugs (Zepbound, Wegovy and Ozempic) Treat Obesity, Diabetes and Addiction/Show Promise for Treating Many Other Diseases
10. Organic Food Sales Continue Global Growth/Locally Sourced Foods and Farm to Table Increase in Popularity
11. McDonald’s and Other Fast Food Companies Reposition to Adapt to New Consumer Tastes, Robotics and AI
12. Demand for Home Grocery Delivery Service Such as Instacart and Amazon Fresh Soars
13. Grubhub, DoorDash and Others Deliver Restaurant Meals
14. Precision Agriculture Technologies (AgTech), Farm Robotics, GPS, Irrigation and AI Grows Worldwide
15. Drones Provide New Tools for Precision Agriculture
16. Aquaculture Gains Major Fish Supply Market Share
17. Packaging Technology Improves/Walmart, Amazon and Coca-Cola Boost Packaging Sustainability
18. Retail Technologies Advance for Restaurant Online Ordering, along with Robotics and Automation
19. RFID Drives Inventory Management Evolution
20. Walmart Still Leads the Retail Industry, but Invests in Web Presence to Battle Amazon
21. Private Label Brands Grow in Share of Total Store Sales
22. Consumers Drive a Revolution in the Food Industry, Demanding Fresher, More Natural Foods, Creating both Pain and Opportunities
23. Food Recycling Efforts Underway
24. Wages Rise for Restaurant, Hotel and Hospitality Workers
25. Food Trucks Enjoy a Boom
26. Meal Kits from Firms like Blue Apron Make It Easy to Prepare Home-Cooked Meals
27. Craft/Microbreweries Proliferate
28. ALDI Scores Big Market Share in the U.S., UK and Europe with its Discount Supermarkets and Aggressive Investment/Walmart Dominates Grocery Retailing
29. The Future of the Food Industry, Agriculture, Food Demand, Supermarkets and Online Food Retailing

Plunkett Research Provides In-Depth Tables for the Following Food Industry Statistics

1. U.S. Food Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview
2. Global Food Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview
3. Food Sales, U.S.: 2022-December 2025
4. Income Statement for U.S. Farm Sector: 2022-2026
5. Federal R&D & R&D Plant Funding for Agriculture, U.S.: Fiscal Years 2024-2026
6. Value Added to the U.S. Economy by the Agricultural Sector via the Production of Goods and Services: 2021-2026
7. Summary of U.S. Agricultural Trade Projections: Fiscal Years 2024-2035
8. Total U.S. Agricultural Commodity Exports & Imports, Top Ten Countries: 2021 - January 2026
9. Food Industry Employment, U.S.: 2020-2025
10. Food Preparation and Serving Related Employment and Wage Estimates by Occupation, U.S.: May 2024
11. World Supply & Utilization of Major Crops: 2023-2026
12. World Supply & Utilization of Major Animal Products: 2021-Dec. 2026

Table of Contents

685 Pages
Introduction
How to Use This Book
Chapter 1: Major Trends and Technologies Affecting the Food Industry
1) Major Trends Affecting the Food Industry
2) Introduction to the Food Industry
3) The State of the Food Industry Today
4) Genetically Modified (GM) Seeds and Crops Planted in Dozens of Nations/Agribio R&D Investment Is High
5) Genetically Modified (GM) Foods Prompt Controversy, Labeling and Legislation
6) Plant-Based Meat Substitutes Developed
7) Selective Breeding, Mutagenesis and Gene-Editing, Including CRISPR, as Alternatives to GM Seeds
8) Obesity Sparks Government, School and Corporate Initiatives/Snack Foods Get Healthier
9) Revolutionary New Drugs (Zepbound, Wegovy and Ozempic) Treat Obesity, Diabetes and Addiction/Show Promise for Treating Many Other Diseases
10) Organic Food Sales Continue Global Growth/Locally Sourced Foods and Farm to Table Increase in Popularity
11) McDonald’s and Other Fast Food Companies Reposition to Adapt to New Consumer Tastes, Robotics and AI
12) Demand for Home Grocery Delivery Service Such as Instacart and Amazon Fresh Soars
13) Grubhub, DoorDash and Others Deliver Restaurant Meals
14) Precision Agriculture Technologies (AgTech), Farm Robotics, GPS, Irrigation and AI Grows Worldwide
15) Drones Provide New Tools for Precision Agriculture
16) Aquaculture Gains Major Fish Supply Market Share
17) Packaging Technology Improves/Walmart, Amazon and Coca-Cola Boost Packaging Sustainability
18) Retail Technologies Advance for Restaurant Online Ordering, along with Robotics and Automation
19) RFID Drives Inventory Management Evolution
20) Walmart Still Leads the Retail Industry, but Invests in Web Presence to Battle Amazon
21) Private Label Brands Grow in Share of Total Store Sales
22) Consumers Drive a Revolution in the Food Industry, Demanding Fresher, More Natural Foods, Creating both Pain and Opportunities
23) Food Recycling Efforts Underway
24) Wages Rise for Restaurant, Hotel and Hospitality Workers
25) Food Trucks Enjoy a Boom
26) Meal Kits from Firms like Blue Apron Make It Easy to Prepare Home-Cooked Meals
27) Craft/Microbreweries Proliferate
28) ALDI Scores Big Market Share in the U.S., UK and Europe with its Discount Supermarkets and Aggressive Investment/Walmart Dominates Grocery Retailing
29) The Future of the Food Industry, Agriculture, Food Demand, Supermarkets and Online Food Retailing
Chapter 2: Food Industry Statistics
U.S. Food Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview
Global Food Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview
Food Sales, U.S.: 2022-December 2025
Income Statement for U.S. Farm Sector: 2022-2026
Federal R&D & R&D Plant Funding for Agriculture, U.S.: Fiscal Years 2024-2026
Value Added to the U.S. Economy by the Agricultural Sector via the Production of Goods and Services: 2021-2026
Summary of U.S. Agricultural Trade Projections: Fiscal Years 2024-2035
Total U.S. Agricultural Commodity Exports & Imports, Top Ten Countries: 2021 - January 2026
Food Industry Employment, U.S.: 2020-2025
Food Preparation and Serving Related Employment and Wage Estimates by Occupation, U.S.: May 2024
World Supply & Utilization of Major Crops: 2023-2026
World Supply & Utilization of Major Animal Products: 2021-Dec. 2026
Chapter 3: Important Food Industry Contacts
(Addresses, Phone Numbers and Internet Sites)
Chapter 4: THE FOOD 500:
Who They Are and How They Were Chosen
Index of Companies Within Industry Groups
Alphabetical Index
Index of Headquarters Location by U.S. State
Index of Non-U.S. Headquarters Location by Country
Individual Data Profiles on Each of THE FOOD 500
Additional Indexes
Index of Hot Spots for Advancement for Women/Minorities
Index by Subsidiaries, Brand Names and Selected Affiliations
A Short Food Industry Glossary

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