fresh food packaging was estimated at USD 87.55 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 105.9 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.88% between the period of 2023 and 2028.
Fresh food packaging is a technique that prevents food from any sort of contamination from biological, chemical, or physical forces. This increases the longevity and shelf life of the product. Fresh food packaging aids in the protection and safety and shields the food from foreign substances such as microorganisms and bacteria. The physical factors from which the food needs to be kept safe are vibration, temperature, or compression. Proper packaging protects the food from any sort of damage. There is a surge in the demand for organic fresh food products like fruits, vegetables, and dairy by health-conscious consumers which are anticipated to have a positive impact on the fresh food packaging market size.
Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in food manufacturing and packaging. Nanocomposite films are used to remove dirty air, for instance, they are used to remove carbon dioxide from food packages which in turn keeps the freshness of the food intact during its storing or conveyance. There is a rising trend for affordable, convenient, and sustainable packaging materials such as PET, paper, aluminium, and polyvinyl chloride, which are experiencing increasing demand from customers, which, in turn, is increasing the packaging rate of fresh food items like poultry and meat products, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products.
There is an increasing trend toward smart and intelligent packaging techniques by the companies. These new packaging technologies are the product of engineering science which has evolved over the years. This enables the flexible packaging of fresh food products.
Companies are also adopting eco-friendly packaging by using biodegradable packaging materials, which can be recycled, renewed, and reused. Besides, the above-mentioned reason the market for convenience food items is also on the rise.The key reasons for the same are the gradual shift toward a healthy lifestyle and the high purchasing power of the consumers. Some of the best examples of convenience food items would be a fresh pack of herbs, salad bags, single served salad packaging etc. In emerging economies, lifestyle patterns are evolving due to their fast-paced nature. As a result, there is a growing demand for convenience food which in turn boosts the fresh food packaging market. Demographic factors also play a major role in enhancing the market for fresh food packaging for example working women or single parents would prefer fresh food packaged items to save time and effort. Hence, the rising demand for convenience food items is accelerating the global fresh food packaging market growth in the next six years.
Stringent government rules and regulations regarding raw materials prove to be a major deterrent to the global fresh food packaging market share. For example, In the US, based on analytical chemistry data packaging materials that are harmful to health are removed. As per the European Union, all food packaging materials need to be cleared based on published regulations and toxicological evaluation, regardless of exposure. China has a regulatory mandate, under the provision of the Food Safety Law that requires the approval of all food-related products, including food packaging materials.The primary functions of food packaging are to protect the food from contamination and preserve its safety, integrity and quality. Most food packaging regulatory systems include safety requirements that are intended to preserve the physical, sanitary and chemical integrity of the contents of food packages. These requirements generally prohibit the transfer of substances from the packaging material to the food and keep it safe. It also safeguards the food from any detrimental substances which may cause harm to human health or bring about an unacceptable change in the composition, taste, or odour of food.
In April 2019, Amcor launched Amite Ultra Recyclable which was the first packaging product made of a polyolefin film, which is touted to be the company’s revolutionary, more sustainable high-barrier invention. It can decrease a pack’s carbon footprint by up to 63-64%.
In May 2019, Sealed Air Corporation signed an agreement to acquire Automated Packaging Systems Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-reliability, automated bagging systems.
Based on the material:
Plastic
Polypropylene
Polyethylene
Polystyrene
Polyvinyl Chloride
Polyethylene Terephthalate
Paper & Paper Board
Bagasse
Polylactic Acid
Others
The largest segment was the plastic material segment which dominated the market for fresh food packaging and accounted for the largest revenue share of 38.2%. It was due to its low cost, durability, and availability in abundance. An efficient moisture barrier is provided by plastic to the content it stores. The containers which are transparent are in demand because of the easy visibility and identification of the content inside them. Therefore, the plastic material segment is the largest segment under the material category.
Based on the pack type:
Rigid
Clamshells
Trays & Boxes
Others
Flexible
Pouches & Bags
Wraps & Films
The rigid packaging segment of fresh food packaging occupied the largest market share in this segment. Owing to the stronger and firm support that they provide to the goods it makes them an easy choice for the consumers. It also becomes easy to ship them without damaging the content owing to their stiff and sturdy structure. The degree of easiness with which they can be stacked is also high. As a result, they are also preferred by warehouse owners.
Based on the application:
Eggs, Meat and Seafood
Fruits and Vegetables
Dairy Products
The dairy products segment dominated the fresh food packaging market followed by the eggs, meat and seafood segment. The fruits and vegetable section is expected to grow since there has been a shift towards a vegan diet and plant-based nutrients.
Fresh Food Packaging Market Regional Analysis:
Amongst all these regions, the Asia Pacific region is the fastest-growing market due to an increasing disposable income of the consumers in the region which in turn is improving their standard of living. The growth of the fresh food packaging market in the APAC region can also be attributed to the rising population of China and India. North America emerged as the third-largest market owing to the presence of developed application industries in this region.
Because of the expanded application sectors in the United States and Canada, North America became the third-largest market for fresh food packaging in 2020. The region's demand for sustainable solutions is likely to rise as the focus on minimizing plastic use in the food and beverage industry grows. Increased trade activities, fuelled by Europe's single-market policy, which permits free commerce inside the continent, are likely to be one of the key drivers of the fresh food packaging market in Europe.
PPC Flexible Packaging LLC
Flex-Pack
Transcontinental Inc.
FFP Packaging Ltd.
Sealed Air
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