Global Food Packaging Market By Type (Rigid, Flexible, and Semi-rigid), By Material (Paper, Plastic, Metal, and Glass), By Application (Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy Products), By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends, and Forecast 2023-2032

Report Overview

The Global Food Packaging Market was valued at USD 358.3 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 592.8 billion at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2023 and 2032. Convenience food products are expected to see an increase in demand as people adopt healthier eating and lifestyle choices, which will positively impact the industry’s demand.

It is anticipated that convenience and the use of high-performance materials will contribute to the industry’s expansion. The industry is expected to expand as a result of increased efficiency in preventing content contamination and longer shelf life. The industry’s expansion is also helped by factors like an expanding population, rising disposable income, and shrinking households.

Driving Factors:

Investing in R&D Contributes to an Extension of Food Shelf Life

Packaged food takes time to reach consumers around the world. It is possible that the packaged food is not fresh or may have lost its taste and smell by the time it reaches consumers. Food spoilage is a higher risk than food preservation. To combat this, the food processing industry invests heavily in new packaging technologies and techniques, such as engineering science, intelligent packaging, and other innovative packaging methods.

This extends the product’s shelf-life. Businesses place a high priority on customer satisfaction, as it can affect their market value and reputation. Cardboard is the most easily recyclable packaging material. It is followed by plastic, metal, and glass. Consumer preference for products with a longer shelf-life is increasing due to rising health awareness and increased awareness of the importance of fresh food.

There has been an increasing demand for fast food items in today’s society as a result of consumers’ fast-paced lifestyles. Convenience food manufacturers have developed products that have a higher nutritional value and fewer negative effects on the body as a result of this high demand. The market’s expansion is aided by the fact that the high demand for convenience foods directly drives up the demand for food packaging.

Restraining Factors:

Rapid Changing Technologies and Rising Cost of Raw Materials Hamper Market Growth

Plastic is one of the main raw materials used in food packaging. Plastic Packaging is made from synthetic polymers such as polypropylene or polyethylene that are produced from natural resources. The changing cost of raw materials is impacting the packaging industry. These raw materials are also becoming more expensive due to the resource conservation laws that the government and other groups have enacted.

This is preventing the market from expanding. The lack of readily available raw materials is a barrier to technological innovation in packaging solutions. Due to rising raw material costs, many innovative packaging technologies are becoming prohibitively expensive. Businesses are forced to use conventional packaging, which has negative impacts on the economy as well as the environment.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is less on the global food market than other manufacturing industries, as the food industry is considered vital by all countries. The continuing pandemic is expected to benefit flexible packaging companies that supply packaged food industries. Changes in consumer demand patterns, government policies, and hoarding are driving demand for packaged food.

Many customers from developing countries like India switched to packaged food due to the increased risk of food poisoning during the pandemic. The pandemic saw a rise in domestic packaged food sales as well as flexible packaging for packaged foods due to the rapid growth rate of e-commerce.

Global market expansion is being held back by trade barriers and supply chain disruptions. Market growth will be boosted by the mitigation strategies of packaging providers and relief packages offered by regional governments to aid the economy.

Type Analysis:

Based on product, the food packaging market can be divided into three segments: rigid, semi-rigid, and flexible. Because of its greater use in vegetables, fruits, or other easily crushed food products, rigid packaging holds the largest market share. Industry demand will be boosted by changes in consumer habits and increased consumption of bread, sausages, and other snacks, especially in China, India, and Germany. The market size may be boosted by the emergence of innovative food retail outlets.

Plastics and cardboard make up semi-rigid packaging, which is mostly used to protect food products from humid, rotting, and harsh environments. These materials are mostly used for microwaveable applications and are lightweight, resistant to shock, corrosive, and heat-sealable.

Material Analysis:

This market can be divided into four segments based on material: glass, metals, paper, and plastics. The paper & board segment has the largest market share. It is recyclable and environmentally friendly, versatile, and produces fewer carbon emissions. This makes it suitable for use in food packaging. The market is driven by the increasing use of paper in packaging various food items, fresh vegetables, and beverages.

Glass bottles can be used to store and package food products for long periods of time or for reuse. Glass is widely used and is GRAS-certified (US FDA) because it is 100% recyclable. Glass is widely used and is GRAS-certified (US FDA) because it is 100% recyclable. Glass packaging is growing in demand for milk and dairy products because of its non-reactive and recyclable properties. This will likely result in a significant increase in market size.

Application Analysis:

In 2021, the segment with the highest revenue share—more than 25.0%—was bakery and confectionery. To increase the shelf life of bakery and confectionery items, high moisture barrier packaging is typically used. Due to its advantages over paper cartons and tins, such as printability, lightweight, as well as cost-effectiveness, flexible packaging is frequently utilized for the aforementioned application. Additionally, the segment growth is anticipated to be aided by the confectionary products’ attractive packaging.

Over the course of the projection period, growth is anticipated in the bakery and confectionery segment. Bakery products that are prepared or ready to eat are a common choice for dual-earner households and students due to the ease they offer. As a result, the bakery and confectionery market is anticipated to rise due to the rising acceptability of packaged foods.

Key Market Segments:

Based on Type

• Rigid
• Semi-rigid
• Flexible

Based on Material

• Paper
• Metal
• Plastic
• Glass

Based on Application

• Bakery & Confectionery
• Dairy Products
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Meat & Seafood
• Other Applications

Growth Opportunities:

Better Packaging Options Result from Consumer Awareness of Eco-Friendly Packaging.

Growing innovations in packaging present an opportunity for market expansion. Creative product solutions can be developed using plastic packaging. One of the many varieties of plastic packaging still in use today is plastic cling film. Cling film packaging’s cutting-edge developments and the trend toward environmentally friendly packaging shape the market.

This innovation provides a wide range of packaging options, including active packaging, edible/biodegradable packaging, nanocomposites, intelligent packaging, and numerous design options for packaging. Increased market accessibility, better inventory management, consumer education, extended shelf life, and assurance of food product quality are all supported by these packaging options.

Latest Trends:

Increasing Demand for Foods with a Longer Shelf Life Increasing the Food Packaging Market

Shelf life is one of the most important aspects of domestic and international competition in the food industry. Businesses that produce and sell food can make more money and operate more effectively when products have a longer shelf life. One of the main contributors to the overall packaging market is the food and beverage sector.

Food product manufacturers are investing a significant amount of money into the research and development of cutting-edge packaging methods like nanotechnology in order to provide effective packaging options and reduce the costs associated with manufacturing packaging materials. It takes time for packaged food from packaging to reach consumers in different parts of the globe. Packaged food might not be fresh, and may lose its taste and aroma before it reaches the consumer.

Food packaging companies are looking for innovative packaging solutions to reduce the risk of food spoilage. This is because spoiled food can lead to a loss in capital. To get around this, the food processing industry is investing in new technologies and packaging methods, like intelligent packaging and engineering science, that help extend the product’s shelf life. In addition to revenue, businesses are focusing on customer satisfaction because it affects the market value and image of the brand.

Regional Analysis:

Demand Rises in the APAC Region as a result of the Large Population.

It is anticipated that the Asia-Pacific market will contribute the most revenue during the forecast period. The discretionary income of the region’s customers has increased significantly, increasing both their capacity to spend and the standard of living for the locals. The expanding urban populations of China and India are driving up the demand for food packaging in this region. Fruit and vegetable exports to the Asia-Pacific region are driving the market’s expansion.

Global imports of fruits and vegetables have increased by 17.6%, while those from the Asia-Pacific region have increased by an astonishing 51.6%. Additionally, packaged food boxes are gaining popularity in the food packaging industry in countries like India, where online meal ordering is becoming increasingly popular.

A rise in the consumption of packaged foods is expected to lead to steady revenue growth for the North American market. Consumers are shifting from eating fast food to healthier, better-quality packaged foods. People prefer to use eco-friendly packaging options such as biodegradable packaging and sustainable packaging.

Key Regions and Countries:

• North America
  • The US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Portugal
  • Ireland
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Benelux
  • Nordic
  • Rest of Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
  • Russia
  • Poland
  • The Czech Republic
  • Greece
  • Rest of Eastern Europe

• APAC
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Argentina
  • Costa Rica
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Algeria
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Kuwait
  • Nigeria
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Rest of MEA

Market Share & Key Players Analysis:

With the presence of small, medium, and large-sized businesses, this market is extremely competitive. With the shift towards sustainable packaging, the major players in the market are competing with international companies as well as local players. There are many smaller players that offer customized products to the end-users in this market.

Leading packaging companies’ ongoing investments in R&D programs have resulted in the recent introduction of a number of packaging technologies. Some of the most widely used packaging technologies include temperature-controlled packaging, retort packaging, childproof and elderly-friendly packaging, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).

Listed below are some of the most prominent food packaging industry players.

Top Key Players in Food Packaging Market:

• Mondi Group
• Amcor PLC
• Constantia Flexibles
• Plastipak
• Tetra Pak International S.A.
• DS Smith
• Crown Holdings, Inc.
• Pactiv LLC
• Coveris Group
• Winpak LTD
• Alpha Packaging
• Ball Corporation
• Berry Global Inc.
• Smurfit Kappa Group PLC
• Other Key Players

Recent Developments:

• June 2022, Walki, a Finish manufacturer of packaging materials, has introduced a new line of frozen food-specific recyclable packaging materials.
• May 2022, High-performance retort pouches with improved food packaging sustainability have been introduced by ProAmpac, a US-based packaging and material science company. These pouches contain recycled materials from post-consumer sources.

Report Scope: