Fresh Meat Packaging Market

 Fresh Meat Packaging Market Size-(2023-2028)

The fresh meat packaging market size was valued at $2.88 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 478.18 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.5% in the forecast period 2023-2028.   

Fresh Meat Packaging Market Overview  

Within the category of the food market, fresh-packed meat is a more relevant segment & the amount of packaged fresh meat on sale in shops has significantly increased over recent years. The adoption of fresh meat packaging is important to offer healthy and safe food for consumers. Meat Packaging is the scientific method of preserving the quality and safety food. Also, the packaging will help in displaying the product details in the most attractive manner for consumers.   

The optimization of meat packing materials and processes is highly relevant not only for health reasons but also to ensure greater sustainability of modern-day agriculture. Increasing meat consumption across the world is likely to fuel the growth rate of the fresh meat packaging market. According to WHO report there would be an increase in meat consumption to 376 million metric tons by 2030. 

Fresh Meat Packaging Market Drivers:

Innovation in packaging material: 

Growing demand for sustainable and convenient food products of superior quality in emerging countries is ascribed to bolster the demand of the fresh meat packaging market. High nutritional and functional value demand for meat together with an increasing proportion of meat sold in packed form along with increased shelf life that comes with the innovation in the packaging material is additionally to propel the growth rate of the market. The desire to reduce costs associated with packaging is accelerating the demand of the fresh meat packaging market. 

Type of packaging material: 

Plastic is the most widely used packaging material in most of the present-day packaging industry. Plastic packaging and disposables are responsible for the plastic “soup” in the ocean and the death of birds and marine animals. Increasing demand for meat and increase in consumers’ awareness towards sustainable packaging materials are the market trends.   

Fresh Meat Packaging Market Restraints:

Package dispensability has become recognized as a factor in the nationwide solid waste disposal problem. Stringent environmental laws regarding plastic packaging are restraining the market growth. Recent restraints that hinder the growth of the fresh meat packaging market in the future include increasing awareness of animal cruelty and the Russian-Ukrainian war.   

Packaging can add significant costs to the overall price of fresh meat. Manufacturers and retailers must balance the benefits of packaging against the additional expense that is hindering the demand of market. Regulations surrounding food packaging can vary from country to country and can be complex and costly to comply with causing the varying growth rate of the market in different regions. In addition, the rise in the cost of the raw materials is hampering the growth rate of the fresh meat packaging market.   

The fresh meat packaging market has supply chain complexity that requires continuous innovations to avoid a decrease in market share. Fresh meat must be transported quickly and efficiently to prevent spoilage, which can make packaging and logistics more complex and costly.  

Some consumers may prefer to purchase fresh meat that is not packaged which is hindering market growth.  

Fresh Meat Packaging Market Opportunities:

The recent increase in purchasing of meat has shifted to supermarkets and online. This is setting up a new growth opportunity for the fresh meat packaging market.  

Demand for new technologies, such as smart packaging that integrates sensors to check food quality, and product quality enhancement mechanisms such as self-heating cans, and authentication techniques offer glimpses of greater innovation in the near future. 

The present world of Ready - to -cook caused the decreased sale of beef due to high cooking time and increased demand for chicken and fresh seafood.  

Increased research and development activities for innovative bio-based and sustainable packaging material will bring a new trend in the fresh meat packaging market.  

The use of vacuum skin packaging has extended the shelf life and improved the cooking experience of the meat a new trend innovation that helps in market expansion.  

COVID-19 Impact on the Fresh Meat Packaging Market:  

COVID-19 has had a positive impact on the size of the fresh meat packaging market. The increased awareness of hygiene and quality has increased the sales of fresh meat packaged food. Increased sales of non-contact purchases provided a good opportunity for the market growth. 

 Key developments in the market:  

• In 2021, Amcor has recently launched Eco-Tite® R in Europe, the first designed-to-be-recycled, PVDC-free shrink bag for fresh and processed meat, poultry, and some cheeses. 
• In 2021, Amcor MaxQ, tells the story of the product’s origin, steps involved in its manufacturing, logistics, and ingredients.  

Fresh Meat Packaging Market Segmentation  

By Meat  

• Beef 
• Poultry/Mutton 
• Pork  
• Seafood   

Poultry meat is expected to have a large market share during the forecast period due to the availability of different packaging techniques that retain the color of meat and keep it fresh.  

Beef is expected to be the second large segment because of the increase in the awareness of its nutritional values to consumers. 

By Packaging Material  

• Polyethylene (PE) 

• Polypropylene (PP) 

• Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) 

• Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) 

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 

• Polyamide (PA) 

• Others 

Polyethylene segment shares accounted for 49.1% of overall market shares in 2022. 

By the end of 2027, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) packaging material has the largest segment at a CAGR of 6.4%.  

By Packaging Technology  

• Modified Atmosphere Packaging 

• Vacuum packaging 

• Store wrap packaging 

• Vacuum skin packaging 

Vacuum skin packaging has predicted to lead the market with a 32% share of the total revenue by end of 2026 because of new innovations in technology. The new innovation in vacuum skin packaging led to extended shelf life which is contributing a major share in fresh meat packaging market.  

By Region  

• North America 
• Europe 

• Asia Pacific 
• Latin America 
• Middle East & Africa  

The North American fresh meat packaging market size is expected to reach US$ 230Mn at a CAGR of 4% by the end of 2028. The United States and Canada have a large market share for fresh meat packaging due to high meat consumption and a well-developed retail infrastructure. 

Asia Pacific's fresh meat packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% during the period. China, Japan, and India are emerging markets for fresh meat packaging due to rising consumer demand for convenience, improved shelf life, and increasing urbanization.  

Europe fresh meat packaging market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.5%. Germany, France, the UK, and Italy have large demand due to strict regulations around food safety and regulations. 

Fresh Meat Packaging Key Players:

• Amcor Limited 

• Crown Holdings Limited 

• Sealed Air Corporation 

• Berry Global Group Inc. 

• Bemis Company Inc. 

• Crown Holdings Limited 

• Reynolds Group 

• Winpak Limited 

• Mondi Group 

• Smurfit Kappa Group