From Protein-Focused Products to Custom Aseptic Fruit Blends, AFP Shares Key Takeaways from SupplySide Global 2026.
Protein-packed snacks, nutritional gummies, and functional frozen desserts were among the products drawing attention at SupplySide Global 2026 in Las Vegas.
For Aseptic Fruit Purées (AFP), exhibiting at the event provided a firsthand look at how manufacturers are approaching food and nutrition innovation, along with an opportunity to better understand their ingredient sourcing and production challenges.
Throughout the expo, the AFP team connected with food and beverage manufacturers, R&D professionals, and purchasing teams to discuss formulation needs, ingredient availability, and potential applications for fruit purées and concentrates.
One topic came up repeatedly: the need for custom fruit blends that can simplify production and meet specific formulation requirements.
Here are the key insights we brought back from SupplySide Global 2026.
1. Protein and Functional Foods Take Center Stage
Protein was one of the most prominent trends observed throughout the expo, appearing in everything from traditional shakes to cookies, snack bars, and convenient nutritional foods.
As manufacturers incorporate protein into a wider variety of products, balancing nutritional goals with flavor, texture, and overall product appeal remains an important formulation consideration.
Fruit purées and concentrates offer opportunities to incorporate authentic fruit flavor into protein-focused products, depending on ingredient compatibility and processing requirements.
The variety of protein-containing products showcased at SupplySide Global demonstrated how manufacturers are exploring new ways to combine nutrition, convenience, and enjoyable eating experiences.
2. Fruit Ingredients Are Moving Beyond Traditional Beverages
While fruit purées and concentrates are widely used in juices, smoothies, and other beverages, conversations at SupplySide Global highlighted their potential across a broader range of food and nutrition applications.
Nutritional Gummies
Gummies remained a prominent supplement format at the event. Fruit ingredients can offer flavor opportunities for gummy formulations, with ingredient selection depending on texture, processing conditions, and product requirements.
Granola Bars and Nutritional Snacks
Fruit purées and concentrates can contribute flavor and texture to snack bars, fruit fillings, and other convenient food products. Different fruit varieties and ingredient formats offer flexibility when developing new formulations.
Functional Frozen Desserts
Manufacturers are also exploring frozen desserts that combine familiar flavors with additional nutritional or functional attributes. Fruit purées can contribute fruit flavor, body, and texture to ice creams, frozen yogurts, and other frozen applications.
These discussions highlighted how fruit ingredients can support product development beyond conventional beverages, particularly as manufacturers explore new combinations of flavor and functionality.
3. What Manufacturers Told AFP About Ingredient Sourcing
Some of the most valuable insights from SupplySide Global came directly from conversations at AFP's booth.
Among the manufacturers, formulators, and purchasing professionals we connected with, ingredient availability and sourcing flexibility were recurring topics.
One challenge discussed was the difficulty of finding a broad variety of organic fruit purées for specialized formulations.
For manufacturers developing organic products, sourcing involves more than selecting the desired fruit. Certification, consistency, packaging formats, and reliable availability all influence ingredient selection.
Another concern involved obtaining certain fruit concentrates in smaller quantities, particularly during product development and ingredient evaluation.
These conversations highlighted the practical challenges manufacturers face when moving from an initial concept to commercial production.
At AFP, we understand the importance of dependable ingredient availability and purchasing flexibility.
Our stocked fruit ingredient offerings provide customers with access to products ready for shipment, while contract purchasing options help manufacturers plan for ongoing production requirements.
4. Custom Aseptic Fruit Blends: Your Formula, Ready for Production
One of the most frequently discussed opportunities at SupplySide Global involved custom fruit purée blends developed to meet specific manufacturing requirements.
For food and beverage manufacturers, sourcing multiple ingredients and combining them during production can add preparation steps, labor, and complexity to the manufacturing process.
AFP offers custom aseptic fruit purée blends using customer-provided formulas, allowing manufacturers to receive a tailored, pre-blended ingredient that's ready to incorporate into their production process.
With relatively low minimum order quantities (MOQs), custom blending can also provide flexibility for manufacturers seeking specialized ingredient solutions without necessarily committing to large production volumes.
How Custom Fruit Blends Can Benefit Manufacturers
Fewer Production Steps
Receiving a pre-formulated fruit blend can reduce the need to measure, prepare, and combine multiple fruit ingredients during manufacturing, potentially simplifying the production workflow.
Formulated to Your Specifications
AFP can work with customer-provided formulas to produce fruit purée blends tailored to specific product requirements, helping manufacturers maintain control over their ingredient formulations.
Relatively Low Minimum Order Quantities
Custom blending options with relatively low MOQs can make specialized fruit ingredient solutions more accessible, depending on formulation and production requirements.
Ready-to-Use Aseptic Convenience
Custom blends are supplied in an aseptic format, providing manufacturers with a pre-blended fruit ingredient that can be incorporated into compatible production processes.
Greater Production Efficiency
By consolidating multiple fruit ingredients into one prepared blend, manufacturers may reduce ingredient handling, simplify preparation, and streamline portions of their production process.
For manufacturers developing beverages, frozen desserts, nutritional products, and other fruit-based applications, custom aseptic blending offers a practical way to simplify ingredient preparation while maintaining formulation flexibility.
The repeated interest in this capability at SupplySide Global reinforced the value of providing ingredient solutions that go beyond standard, single-fruit offerings.
5. Turning Industry Conversations Into Manufacturing Solutions
Beyond identifying trends, SupplySide Global provided an opportunity to hear directly from the professionals responsible for developing and producing new food and nutrition products.
At AFP's booth, conversations with gummy producers, functional frozen dessert manufacturers, R&D teams, and purchasers frequently centered on flavor, ingredient availability, customized formulations, and sourcing flexibility.
These discussions highlighted the importance of ingredient suppliers who can accommodate specific production requirements rather than relying exclusively on standard product offerings.
For AFP, the event helped identify additional opportunities to support manufacturers through custom aseptic fruit blends, stocked ingredient options, contract purchasing, and continued evaluation of sourcing needs.
As manufacturers explore new product categories and formulations, access to flexible ingredient solutions can help simplify the path from product development to commercial production.
Looking Ahead: Supporting Food and Beverage Innovation
SupplySide Global 2026 gave AFP an opportunity to connect with manufacturers, better understand their ingredient needs, and explore new possibilities for fruit-based formulations.
From protein-focused foods and nutritional gummies to organic ingredient sourcing and custom aseptic fruit blends, the event highlighted both emerging product applications and practical manufacturing challenges.
One takeaway was particularly clear: manufacturers are looking for ingredient solutions that not only meet their formulation requirements but also help simplify production.
At AFP, we remain focused on supporting those needs through quality fruit purées and concentrates, custom blending capabilities, dependable ingredient availability, and flexible purchasing options.
Have a Formula That Requires a Custom Fruit Blend?
AFP can produce custom aseptic fruit purée blends using your formula, with relatively low minimum order quantities and ready-to-use ingredient solutions designed around your manufacturing needs.
Whether you're developing a beverage, nutritional product, frozen dessert, or another fruit-based application, our team can help you explore options that fit your formulation and production requirements.
Explore AFP's Fruit Purées & Concentrates
Contact AFP to discuss your custom fruit blend requirements, minimum order quantities, and sourcing options.