Vilnius
Lithuanian, English
Besides her main role as a commissioner for six Eastern European countries, Simona is the health and wellness central project team lead, where she participates in global data checks and builds strategic content knowledge. In addition, Simona is involved in Euromonitor's Product Claims and Positioning system, where she conducts data updates and system optimisation.
Simona Bernatonyte is a Senior Research Analyst for food and nutrition research at Euromonitor International. She coordinates research projects in multiple Central and Eastern European countries, and monitors key consumer trends and market developments in these geographies. Her global research focus is centered around the health and wellness domain, with particular attention to organic and plant-based dairy products. In addition, Simona has a background in B2B market analysis in key global industries, and has authored multiple country reports on consumer income and expenditure patterns. Simona has a master's degree in International Relations, and related work experience in Asia and Europe.
Asian cuisine has moved into the mainstream of global food culture driven by travel, cultural evolution, and globalisation. Notably, brands that first established credibility among diaspora communities have found a more reliable path to mainstream consumer trust than those pursuing mass-market entry without that foundation. The real growth prize lies beyond ethnic enclaves, however.
A very strong El Niño event, very likely to occur in late 2026 and/or early 2027, could affect agriculture, food prices, energy demand and supply chains across Latin America. Heavy rains can disrupt crops and logistics, reduced harvests can increase food prices, heat can lift cooling needs, and damage to transport routes or production lines can affect product availability. The last major El Niño event, in 2023-2024, brought record global heat, severe droughts, wildfires and extreme rainfall, generating economic and food security impacts.
At a time when the food industry is struggling under the combined pressure of tough demographics, consumers pulling back on spending, geopolitical trouble, and rising costs of inputs, there has been at least one notable bright spot: protein. Consumers have shown a remarkable and enduring interest in high-protein products in virtually every format and category. But how long can this last? Are we nearing the end of the Age of Proteinmaxxing?
