North America Food Containers Market Size

The North America food containers market size was valued at USD 61.14 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 88.92 billion by 2034 from USD 63.74 billion in 2026. The market's promising CAGR for the predicted period is 4.25%.

Food containers are primarily used for preservation, storage and transportation purposes to increase the shelf life of a product. They must be strong enough to ensure that the food in the package is not damaged or spoiled. Rising consumer awareness related to environmental and sustainability issues of food packaging is foreseen to impact the food containers market. Food containers maintain the quality of food products, allowing them to safely travel long distances from the point of manufacture. Increasing population, increasing urbanization, and lifestyle change leading to changes in consumer eating habits have led to increased demand for packaged and unwrapped ready-to-eat food products that require long-term storage. The fast-paced lifestyle, especially in developed countries, has led to the adoption of ready meals. Therefore, consumers use food containers to maintain the quality of food while traveling. Storing food products at room temperature can lead to the growth of bacteria or fungi, which can lead to food poisoning. These risks can be avoided by using food containers.

North America Food Containers Market Drivers and Restraints:

The popularity of quality, leak resistant, airtight and aesthetically appealing products is driving demand for a variety of food packaging. Additionally, government regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions in the food and beverage industry are expected to drive the demand for sustainable packaging that can help North American market growth. The main challenge for food packaging manufacturers is keeping up with changing consumer preferences. Therefore, food packaging manufacturers must offer quality products that are fresh, airtight, airtight, innovative, and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the growing demand for perishable products such as meat and dairy products around the world is creating new opportunities for the growth of the North America food containers market. Increased awareness of environmental issues, adoption of new regulatory requirements by manufacturers, increasing health awareness and the development of new eco-friendly packaging materials are some of the factors pushing the market towards growth. Additionally, due to government rules and regulations, companies are investing in biodegradable plastics to meet the demand for rigid packaging products.

Market Segmentation

By Type

• rigid

• flexible packaging

Rigid containers are widely used in the food and beverage industry to facilitate the handling of food products and prevent damage. Rigid packaging products have high rigidity, high impact resistance, and high barrier properties.

By Material

• plastic

• paper

• cardboard

• metal

• glass

Plastics account for the largest share of consumption in food packaging manufacturing, followed by paper and cardboard. Glass storage containers usually have a plastic lid that helps keep the container airtight. The demand for glass packaging is due more to its ability to keep food fresh for a longer period compared to other types of packaging.

By Product

• bags

• pouches

• containers

• Bags

• wallets

will continue to be the most important category due to the advantages of lightness, portability and convenience. Bags are expected to make further advancements in rigid packaging applications due to cost and performance benefits.

By Application

• fruits and vegetables

• dairy

• meat

• frozen products

• bakery and confectionery products

The dairy and frozen meat segment held the most substantial share in 2017 and is foreseen to dominate the market in future. Frozen foods were the first segment and are expected to show strong growth.

Regional Analysis

• United States

• Canada

• Mexico

North America represents the majority of the market. Reasons that are contributing to the growth of the market in this area include the increasing use of packaged goods, the reduction of waste, the increasing adoption of small-sized food packaging in households, and the demand for fresh food. Share of the United States food packaging market is expected to dominate and continue to dominate due to rising personal income, urbanization, and growing interest in packaged food in the region. The significant growth in the industry is expected to be driven by the continued use of high-end features, namely unique packaging sizes and shapes and high-barrier materials that allow stability in stock.

Key Players:

• PRINTPACK

• Plastipak Holdings

• Bemis Company

• Anchor Glass Container Corporation

• Constar International UK Ltd.

• Ball Corporation

• Graphic Packaging International

• Graham Packaging Company

• Crown

• Berry Plastics Corporation

Recent Developments

• Zume Inc announced the launch of a new plant-based packaging system that competes with plastic in use and cost. The new compostable food packaging technology is sourced through the acquisition of Pivot Packaging, and Zume will open a 70,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Southern California to create the packaging.

• Huhtamaeki Oy, a Finland based company, agreed to purchase the majority of Sealright Co., Inc., a public trade company in the USA and the leading North American manufacturer of dessert packaging systems frozen.

• In August 2020, TricorBraun, North America's largest primary packaging distributor and a holding company of AEA Investors, announced the acquisition of Price Container and Packaging, a rigid packaging distributor primarily serving to the industrial and food market since the creation of the family business in 1998.

• In November 2019, Food packaging company Sabert Corp. signed a contract to obtain LBP Manufacturing LLC, an eco-friendly and sustainable food and beverage packaging company. Sayreville-based Sabert said the incorporation will increase its annual sales by more than $ 900 million and create a team of 3,000 employees around the world.

• In July 2019, Walki Group has announced that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Mondi Belcoat NV, a Belgian extrusion coating company of the Mondi Group. Belcoat manufactures highly specialized extrusion coated products to serve customers in the protective clothing, imaging, automotive and other specialty product markets.