Health benefits of grape must and trends for 2026

The global grape processing market is evolving and creating several business opportunities. A growth rate of 5.3 percent per year is expected over the next 7 years.

This is due to consumers being more informed and demanding, the adoption of sustainable practices, and technological advances. This drives innovation and the development of new food products with greater added value. It also reinforces the need to stay ahead and anticipate competitors. It is a transformation that opens the door to new opportunities in specific segments. In this context, the global grape juice concentrate market is positioned as one of the strongest and most dynamic segments, with steady expansion and growing demand.

The Market Report Analytics report shows a current global market size for grape juice concentrate of approx. 8.5 billion dollars, with a compound annual growth rate of approx. 4.5%. What are the application segments? Approximately: 45 percent in wine production; 35 percent in the production of functional beverages, juices and nectars; 15 percent in bakery, dairy and confectionery products; 5 percent in other products, such as those in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sector.

To remain competitive in this new environment, it is essential to understand the factors that are shaping the future of food and beverages. This article explains the key emerging trends for 2026. It analyzes how grape must responds to each of these trends and what grape juice concentrate can offer as a natural ingredient in innovation, health and consumer well-being.

• 6 food and beverage trends for 2026: key to innovation 
• How grape must responds to the 2026 trends
• Julián Soler: grape must and technology supporting food innovation

6 food and beverage trends for 2026: key to innovation

The 2026 innovation agenda for food and beverages will need to be shaped by balance. Balance between nutrition and sensory pleasure, between authenticity and novelty, between indulgence and health benefits. Clean label claims are not enough. According to Innova Market, consumers demand convenience and want their food decisions to be easy to manage. They want to feel in control of what they choose. They also expect transparency from brands and want to make responsible choices when selecting foods and beverages, ensuring that each product meets sustainability requirements.

Main trends for 2026 (according to studies by Innova Market and NIQ Insights)
Functional beverages with purpose.	Health-focused beverages lead innovative product launches. There is a notable diversity of wellness-oriented offerings, mainly those containing: hydrating properties. Functional additives. Convenient formats. Dairy beverages. (Three out of four consumers consider them a healthy snack).
Make every bite count	For consumers, affordability and accessibility are key in their diet. It is more than just the price. Global trends show that consumers usually prefer simple, easy-to-prepare foods with minimally processed natural ingredients.
Layers of pleasure	Food indulgence is evolving. Beyond offering a premium treat that balances indulgence and health, brands are creating an emotional experience around indulgent foods. How? By incorporating textured or hidden layers, or mysterious flavors for those exploring new products. Or by reformulating indulgent foods that are familiar to consumers.
Gut health	More than half of global consumers recognize gut health as the gateway to the overall well being of the body and the mind. Therefore, product launches also include food products with tangible benefits such as relief from intestinal discomfort, bloating or gas. But it must be accompanied by a more intense and detailed explanation of both the ingredients and the mechanisms of action of the probiotics or prebiotics contained in the food. Why? Because it offers convenience and practicality to the consumer, helping them find exactly the product they need or want.
Conservation of traditions	Tradition connects with consumers. It reflects authenticity, gives them comfort and reinforces identity. According to Innova, the consumer is appreciating using traditional products in their culture. So the trend toward innovation can include: Specified recipes from regions or countries. Traditional products. Ingredients that symbolize territorial roots, coming from local cultivation or from regions with a strong tradition.
Non alcoholic or low alcoholic beverages	They continue gaining ground. According to NIQ Insights, the consumer now prefers to alternate alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. For example, from tea, soft drinks, infusions to alternatives with a low percentage of alcohol or premium reinterpretations of traditional alcoholic drinks. It is mainly due to the search for greater balance and control over the products that are consumed. The conscious drinker prefers to opt for natural and functional alternative beverages, without sugar, without preservatives, without colorants. The feeling of indulgence without excess. The refreshing qualities.

Beyond the trends for 2026, it is important to outline a long term plan. For this, Mintel presents the global predictions for food and beverages, with the future trends of the sector up to 2030. It shows that there will be a transition from strict nutrition to smart well being. The demand will focus on:

• Moderation.
• Sustainability.
• Dietary diversity.
• The preference for traditional ingredients.
• Multisensory foods and beverages with defined purposes.

How does grape juice concentrate respond to the trends of 2026?

To respond to the trends of 2026, it is necessary to find the balance between the formulation of products that are technically viable and profitable and, at the same time, emotionally relevant, capable of offering unique experiences, high quality and added value. For this, versatile ingredients are needed, with interesting phytochemical and nutritional profiles, that combine flavor and tradition… such as grape juice concentrate.

Let’s see how grape juice concentrate responds to the current and future demands of the consumer.

Grape juice concentrate as a functional ingredient for healthy beverages… with purpose

• It provides natural sugars, only glucose and fructose. Components that are a source of energy. Ideal for the formulation of isotonic or sports beverages, for energy recovery and improving performance.
• It contains bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and resveratrol, and other antioxidants. This makes grape juice concentrate an ingredient with great positive biological effects. For example:
  • Reduction of oxidative stress and prevention of cellular damage.
  • Delay of aging.
  • Prevention of the appearance of cancerous cells.
  • Lower risk of heart diseases.
• It contains vitamins (C, E, A, K…) and minerals (iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium…) that enhance key physiological processes to maintain health.

Julián Soler’s grape juice concentrate is present in formulations of premium non alcoholic beverages, to provide natural sweetness, antioxidants, body, stable color, minerals… From our R&D&I department we work together with brands to adapt grape juice concentrate to each market trend.

Grape juice concentrate as a natural ingredient, for simple and easy to consume products

In addition, grape juice concentrate presents techno functional properties that are valued in food formulation. For example, its natural sugars can help with moisture retention and improvement of texture in breads and desserts.

Grape juice concentrate as a generator of sensory experience and a source of creativity

Grape juice concentrate has a rich and unique sensory profile. Beyond natural sweetness, it possesses fruity aromatic notes and can provide juices, jams, desserts and ice creams with a vibrant natural color that is attractive to the consumer. For example, red grape juice concentrates offer a wide range of tones, from dark red to violet. Technically, we can modulate color intensity by using different varieties (red grapes, white grapes, our Garnacha Tintorera) and different Brix degrees. For R&D teams, this means flexibility to design premium experiences without sacrificing health or naturalness.

All these characteristics are perfect for designing multisensory consumption experiences. For example:

• In indulgent and modern formulations, grape juice can be incorporated to generate sensory layers. Like a dessert with a layer or topping of grape juice concentrate, or a non alcoholic beverage with texture and vibrant color that evokes wine.
• Our red grape juice concentrate from Garnacha Tintorera provides the deepest and most intense red color, in addition to natural sweetness and unique flavor. It has already inspired chefs and different brands to create artisanal ice creams, delicious, attractive, indulgent and healthy.
• We have experienced a notable growth in the demand for grape juice concentrate, especially for our juicy and intense Garnacha, used in the development of red grape jam.
• Even the most traditional recipes are being reformulated with our grape juice concentrate, which provides a differentiating sensory profile. Like the classic cheesecake with blueberries, now in its new version with the sophisticated touch of Garnacha grape.

Grape juice concentrate as a natural prebiotic

The polyphenols present in grape juice can help balance the intestinal microbiota. They act like a kind of probiotic that inhibits the growth of pathogens and, at the same time, increases the presence of beneficial bacteria. This makes grape juice concentrate a valuable ingredient for probiotic formulations, and it can even provide superior properties in isotonic beverages to improve the digestive system and the absorption of nutrients.

Grape juice concentrate as a versatile ingredient for indulgent foods

Grape juice concentrate helps achieve the healthy and multidimensional indulgence that the consumer demands so much. It is an ingredient that provides levels of complex flavors and fruity aromatic notes that enrich the sensory experience. Its coloring capacity, its contribution of antioxidants, its natural sugars, its nutritional profile and its intense flavor allow the development of premium treats, those extremely delicious and attractive foods that are, at the same time, permissible.

For example, grape juice is being used in gourmet confectionery products, in premium ice creams, in healthier snacks. These are formulations that the consumer will enjoy, since they provide pleasure to the palate but without the feeling of guilt.

Julián Soler: grape juice concentrate and technology at the service of food innovation

Just a few weeks after having closed the harvest, we can only say: Thank you. The condition of the white and red grape received at our facilities has been exceptional, with parameters that guarantee the flavor, the stability and the purity of each one of our grape juice concentrates. This means that we continue counting on the raw material for national and international brands that seek natural, authentic and traceable ingredients. And we have achieved it, once again, thanks to our hybrid supply model, which combines the grapes from our farmers and local cooperatives.

Behind every drop of grape juice concentrate there is commitment, teamwork, tradition, values and a vision that drives us to always go one step ahead. Proud to be ambassadors of the Castilian-Manchegan grape. It is an ingredient that is born from the largest vineyard in the world and embodies tradition. We fuse all this heritage with food innovation. We help you reformulate and develop new products, using grape juice concentrate.

We customize our grape juice concentrates for industries all over the world. Innovate with Julián Soler. We are your Global Grape Solution Supplier.