Global Fresh Food Packaging Market Grows Steadily at a CAGR of 6.7%

Introduction

Fresh food packaging is an essential component of the food supply chain because it protects and keeps the quality, safety, and freshness of perishable foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, and prepared meals. The primary goal of fresh food packaging is to extend the shelf life of these products, minimize spoilage, avoid contamination, and ensure they reach consumers in optimal condition. The fresh food packaging market share is predicted to grow at a 6.7% CAGR because of diet and health-conscious clients' increasing demand for organic fresh food commodities such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy.

Furthermore, a growing number of food service operators and retail chains in North American and European economies are projected to transition away from plastic packaging and toward a more sustainable alternative to attract the region's environmentally conscious consumer base. As a result, the factors above are expected to boost demand for environmentally friendly fresh food packaging.

Market Dynamics

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Drives the Global Market

Consumers, retailers, and regulators must ensure fresh food safety and quality. Food is protected against infection, spoilage, and degradation through packaging. Packaging preserves freshness, flavor, texture, and nutritional value while preventing infections, allergies, and environmental factors. The WHO reports that foodborne illnesses are a global health issue. Over 600 million illnesses and 420,000 fatalities result from contaminated food. Foodborne sickness can be greatly reduced by proper packaging. The FDA's FSMA encourages US food safety prevention. These rules regulate packing, shipping, and storage to reduce contamination. Effective packing prevents spoilage and extends shelf life, reducing food waste.

According to the UN, packaging is essential for food preservation because one-third of human-produced food is lost or wasted. According to market findings, food safety and quality assurance in fresh food packaging are crucial. New packaging solutions address safety concerns and meet consumer demand for safe, fresh, high-quality food. Stringent rules and changing customer demands are encouraging the usage of advanced packaging solutions that improve food safety and quality across the supply chain.

E-Commerce and Home Delivery Growth Creates Tremendous Opportunities

Packaging solutions that protect product integrity during transit, storage, and last-mile delivery are in demand as e-commerce platforms and home delivery services for fresh commodities like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products develop. Customer preferences for convenience in cities have increased the fresh food packaging market trend. Many companies invest in novel packaging to transport fresh food at the right temperature. Seafood and dairy are transported in enclosed containers with cooling or heating devices.

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) found that 45% of consumers choose online grocery shopping for convenience. Demand for proper packaging will rise as this trend continues. E-commerce and delivery packaging company U-Pack is seeing more demand. They offer customized packaging for online retailers and food delivery services.

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific has the highest fresh food packaging revenue share. India, China, South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia are fast-growing economies. Growing demand for fresh food in India and China promotes fresh packaging demand throughout the expected period. Asia Pacific produced the most plastics. Glass, aluminum, and steel production has increased raw material availability. It handles several other material classifications. However, increased consumer awareness and strict government plastic pollution rules will undoubtedly cause challenges for the plastic material sector. South Korea's market is growing due to strong end-user sectors, high demand for fresh packaging, rising urban population, and retail infrastructure development. Consumer demand for natural and organic products and stiff fresh food packaging materials drive market expansion.

North America became the second-largest fresh food packaging market due to developed US and Canadian application sectors. The US need for eco-friendly and fresh food packaging has led the food and beverage industry to reduce plastic use. Environmental safety laws and fast-disposing solutions will raise the need for biodegradable materials and recyclable packaging. The region's desire for sustainable solutions may rise as food and beverage companies reduce plastic use. Demand for recyclable and biodegradable packaging will rise due to environmental limitations and the desire for disposable solutions.

Key Highlights

• The global Fresh food packaging market size was valued at USD 79.80 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 104.21 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 3% during the forecast period 2023-2031.
• Polypropylene, Polyethylene, Paper, Aluminum, and Others are the many types of material. Polyethylene held the lion's share of the market.
• The market is divided into rigid and flexible packaging segments based on packaging type. Rigid packaging is the most popular type of packaging on the market.
• Meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and other applications might divide the market. Dairy had an impact on market growth.
• Depending on the region, the market is analyzed in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and LAMEA. Asia-Pacific dominates the market.

Competitive Players

Competitive Landscape

The key players in the global Fresh food packaging market are Amcor, PPC Flexible Packaging LLC, DS Smith, Mondi, Flex-Pack, Coveris, GRUPO LANTERO, FLAIR Flexible Packaging Corporation, Transcontinental Inc., FFP Packaging Ltd., Sealed Air, INFIA srl, Sonoco Products Company, Huhtamaki, Clifton Packaging Group Limited, ProAmpac, CLONDALKIN GROUP, Genpak LLC, Pro-Pac Packaging Limited and WINPAK LTD.

Recent Developments

Market News

• In August 2023, Amcor pioneered high-barrier performance paper packaging in North America.
• In February 2023, PPC Flexible Packaging LLC, a leading manufacturer of specialized flexible packaging, announced the acquisition of StePac, MAPfresh Holdings (StePac) in Tefen, Israel.
• In September 2023, the "LIFT UP" cardboard packaging invention by DS Smith and Coca-Cola replaced plastic handles.
• In August 2023, for their dry pet food range, Mondi and Fressnapf have introduced recyclable packaging.

Segmentation

Global Fresh Food Packaging Market: Segmentation

By Material 

• Polypropylene
• Polyethylene
• Paper
• Aluminum
• Others

By Packaging Type 

• Rigid Packaging
• Flexible Packaging

By Application 

• Meat and Seafood
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Dairy Products
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Asia-Pacific
• Europe
• The Middle East and Africa
• Latin America