Retort Pouch Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2033

Retort Pouch Market Size

The global retort pouch market size was valued at USD 5.39 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach from USD 5.72 billion in 2025 to USD 9.19 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period (2025-2033).

A retort pouch or retortable pouch is a type of food packaging manufactured from a laminate of flexible plastics or metal foils. It allows the packaged product to be sterile and is often considered a viable alternative to traditional industrial canning methods. Retort pouches are often used for transporting and storing fully cooked meals, thermo-stabilized high-caloric meals, and ready-to-eat (RTE) meals. They are often utilized in field rations, fish-based products, instant noodles, and space foods. The demand for packaged foods is anticipated to increase due to factors like shifting consumer lifestyles and preferences, a growing middle class, and an increase in the working population, which will also serve as major drivers for the expansion of the retort pouch market.

Over the forecast period, the demand for retort packaging is also expected to increase due to the growing demand for packaging solutions that can increase the shelf-life of various food products, including meat, seafood, poultry, baby food, and pet food. Additionally, increasing demand for pouches is anticipated to affect market growth positively because they are more portable, convenient, and lightweight than rigid packaging items.

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Retort Pouch Market Growth Factors

Rising Consumption of Convenient Meals

Convenience meals have witnessed a surge in consumption in developing and emerging economies during the forecast period. This trend is observed due to notable factors such as changing lifestyle of working individuals that work on a hectic schedule. A majority of these individuals are aiming for ready-to-eat meals. The demand for convenience meals will increase due to the integration of additive-free and minimally processed products that are often made available in retort pouches. These products often have an extended shelf life for better efficiency.

Manufacturers target rising consumer awareness regarding healthy and nutritional benefits by adding informative labels. The increasing frequency of consumers opting to eat at restaurants will further add to the growth of the global market. Attractive packaging made in the ready-to-eat meals segment promising consumers a fine dining experience will further contribute to the growing market. The lack of functional kitchens in China and the US will add to the rising ready meals segment, thereby increasing the pathway for the global retort pouch market growth during the forecast.

Extended Shelf-Life Requirements

Most canned foods and staple food products have a relatively higher shelf life. However, products used after their suitable shelf life can change flavor, taste, and smell. Refrigerators often come equipped with temperature limits to keep the food from going bad. Heavy dependence is often regulated when packaged food needs to be transported to faraway locations from the manufacturing hubs. Hence, extended shelf life is a major priority that packaged food manufacturers consider. 

Packaged food items in metal cans are becoming highly sustainable due to retort pouches. Since the retort packaging does not require freezing or refrigeration by consumers, retailers, and packers, packaged food items often have a longer shelf life. Additionally, these products can be stored in a compact space. The benefits of extended shelf life exceed low product returns and lower wastages. They also allow for stockpiling of essential products during emergencies. Integrating the extended shelf life granted by canned products will allow the global retort pouch market share to flourish. 

Market Restraint

The Unsustainability of Retort Pouches

Single-use plastics are considered to be harmful as they often lead to landfills. Rising consumer awareness coupled with various government initiatives often highlight the issues faced by the non-degradability of plastics. Many manufacturers opt for adopting recyclable plastics or recyclable plastic packaging solutions that can resolve the issue to some extent. Retort pouches cannot be recycled easily as they lack specific layers of laminate materials that cannot be easily broken down on a mass scale. Lack of accessibility to recycling facilities and lower penetration of recycling infrastructure further add to the factors that drive the value of the global market towards a downward trend. 

Additionally, retort packaging also consumes more energy and resources than traditional packaging solutions when it comes to manufacturing in large capital investment for machinery. This is due to additional steps such as thermal processes needed to be incorporated during the manufacturing cycle. The overall cost of plastic materials used for transporting retort pouches further adds to the unsustainability. These will further decrease the chance of adopting retort pouches during the forecast period. 

Market Opportunity

Demand for Nutritious Food Items

The food and beverage industry's demand for healthy foods has significantly increased. As related diseases like heart disease continue to be top global concerns, traditionally popular products like red meat come under increased consumer scrutiny. Due to this, well-known companies like KFC have had to reconsider their business plans and introduce ideas like "vegan meat," among others. Additionally, the shifting demand is consistent in all soft drink markets. The demand for such products continues in emerging countries as soft drink manufacturers search for herbal-based, natural, and healthier alternatives to appeal to millennials in western countries. Introducing ready-to-drink soups by influential brands like Cambell Soup Company highlights the changing consumer demand for food and beverages and provides an opportunity for growth. 

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific was estimated to be at USD 1,511.6 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period. In 2030, the market will be estimated at USD 3,047.8 million in 2030, owing to the rising penetration of ready-to-eat meals in the region. Changing lifestyles of the consumer population will give rise to convenience meals. Rising disposable income among consumers will further create the groundwork for alternative food and beverages. These factors are expected to increase the footprint of the retort pouch market as shifting inclination over traditional packaging will rise. China is the largest contributor to the Asia-Pacific market volume, with a market value of approximately USD 1,534.7 million in 2030.

Europe: Fastest Growing Region with the 7.2% Cagr

Europe will account for the second-largest market, with a market value of USD 1,197.7 million in 2021. It will extend to a value of USD 2,174.8 million in 2030, registering a CAGR growth of 7.2% during the forecast period. A majority of the dominant players in the food and beverage industry are present in the region. The region also exports some of the largest food products. Hence, dependability on packaged food items is high. The rising adoption of flexible packaging activities in Europe aims to reduce plastic consumption, which will trigger higher market growth. Germany will contribute a significant market share to the global European market with an estimated market value of USD 698.4 million in 2030, growing with a CAGR of 7.0%.

Material Insight

The market can be divided into polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, PET, aluminum foil, and others. Polypropylene will account for the largest segmental growth, with an estimated market value of USD 1,690.8 million in 2021. It will grow to a market value of approximately USD 3,015.8 million in 2030, registering a CAGR of 8.01%. Factors such as extreme resistance against temperature and chemicals coupled with rising utilization in automotive, packaging, healthcare, electronics, and building and construction will contribute to the market growth. Properties such as higher tensile strength, superior barrier, and lower cost will add to the value of the segment. The PET segment will account for the second-largest market share with an estimated value of USD 1,453.8 million in 2030. 

The PET segment will account for the second-largest market. Retort pouches typically have an outer layer made of PET. It is frequently used to create retort pouches because it offers strength and works well as a printable surface. PET is a good option as a packaging material because of its high strength, lightweight, non-reactive, flexibility, and recyclability, among other qualities. The retort pouch's overall strength is increased by polyamide properties, which include high stiffness, dimensional stability, abrasion resistance, and puncture resistance. In contrast, aluminum foil is a barrier layer and shields the pouch from gases, light, moisture, and odors. With a projected CAGR of close to 8% throughout the forecast period, this material is anticipated to be among the market segments with the fastest growth.

Packaging Insight

The market can be divided into stand-up pouches and flat pouches. Stand-up pouches will account for the largest market share, with an estimated value of USD 2,482.2 million in 2021. It will grow to a value of approximately USD 4,573.9 million in 2030, with a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. Factors such as sustainability, lightweight, and rising availability in terms of printability and sealability will contribute to segmental growth. The flat pouches market will have an estimated value of USD 3,693.4 million in 2030, owing to its simplicity and availability in a wide range of materials and seals. 

Closure Insight

The market can be segmented across tear notch, zipper, and spout. The zipper segment will hold the largest market share during the forecast period, with a market value of USD 1,828 million in 2021. It will grow to a market value of USD 3,245.1 million in 2030. The CAGR growth is estimated to be at 7.3%, owing to the ability to be accessed multiple times due to its usability and increasing utilization of e-commerce and on-the-go applications. The tear notch segment will account for the second-largest market share with an estimated market value of USD 3,137.9 million in 2030. From being easily recloseable, zippers also protect from contamination and spills. Additionally, since people can use the contents of zipper pouches later, they contribute to less food waste overall. 

The tear-notch segment will account for the second-largest market. The tear notch makes it simple for the consumer to open the pouch and access the contents. Over the forecast period, rising demand for single-serve packages, ready-to-eat meals, and smaller portion packages is likely to boost the growth of this market.

Application Insight

The market can be broken down into food, beverages, pet food, and others. Food will account for the largest market share during the forecast period, with a value of USD 2,499.6 million in 2021. It will grow at a CAGR of 7.1%. In 2030, the market will be at an estimated value of USD 4,123.2 million in 2030. Factors such as higher temperature resistance and the ability to be integrated into ready-to-eat packaging will contribute to the segment’s growth. The pet food segment will account for the second-largest market share with an estimated value of USD 1,701.3 million in 2030. Soups, sauces, baby food, dry-ready meals, frozen ready meals, chilled ready meals, meal replacement products, and dairy products are just a few of the foods commonly packaged in retort pouches.

Factors such as higher temperature resistance and the ability to be integrated into ready-to-eat packaging will contribute to the segment's growth. The pet food segment will account for the second-largest market share. More people are keeping pets and giving them high-quality food due to the growing trend toward "humanizing" pets. Additionally, the rising popularity of pet adoption, particularly among households with working parents and one child, is likely to increase demand for pet food, which will likely support market expansion.

List of key players in Retort Pouch Market

1. Amcor plc
2. Mondi
3. Constantia Flexible
4. Sonoco Products Company
5. Coveris
6. Sealed Air
7. Huhtamamaki
8. Winpak
9. Fujimori Kogyo Co. Ltd
10. Clondalkin Group
11. Flair Flexible Packaging Corporation
12. DNP America LLC
13. Clifton Packaging Group Limited
14. HPM Global Inc.
15. Floeter India Retort Pouches (P) Ltd
16. ProAmpac

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Recent Developments

• In December 2022, Amcor advances the use of cutting-edge recycling materials in the food and healthcare industries.
• In September 2022, For the ready-to-drink dairy market, Amcor introduced DairySealTM featuring ClearCorTM, a more environmentally friendly packaging line.
• In November 2022, RTS Packaging: Sonoco Announces Agreement to Acquire Westrock's Remaining Interest.
• In September 2022, United Cargo and Sonoco ThermoSafe Signed a Global Master Lease Agreement.
• In October 2022, SEE Packforum South America opened, according to a statement from Sealed Air (NYSE: SEE). The center provides customers immediate access to new packaging solutions, designs, and applications to create a technology-driven experience. Visitors can collaborate on fresh concepts, innovations, and digital and automated packaging solutions on-site or virtually. They can also learn about the global market and consumer trends.