Global Food Preservatives Market By Type (Synthetic Preservatives and Natural Preservatives), By Label Type, By Function, By Application, By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends, and Forecast 2023-2032

Report Overview

The Global Food Preservatives Market size is expected to be worth around USD 4.7 Billion by 2032 from USD 3.3 Billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2032.

Food preservatives are substances that are added to food products to prevent spoilage caused by microbial growth or oxidation. Food preservatives play an important role in extending the shelf life of food products, maintaining their quality, and preventing spoilage of food. Preservatives are either natural or synthetic and perform the function of inhibiting the growth of bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microorganisms.

Salt, sugar, citric acid, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate are some common examples of food preservatives. The demand for safe and healthy food is increasing in the world, and individuals are becoming more aware of their health. Thus, the demand for food preservatives is increasing in the market.

Key Takeaways

• Growth and Value Analysis of the Healthy Snack Market in 2032: the Healthy Snack market had an estimated value of USD 84.4 billion as of 2022 and was anticipated to experience a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% between now and then.
• Reasons for Market Development: Since the pandemic hit, demand in this market has seen a significant surge. Consumers have become more health-minded; supermarket chains have joined hands with online delivery services in an attempt to expand into online commerce.
• Definition of Healthy Snacks: Healthy snacks can be defined as those that feature reduced sodium, sugar, nutrients, and saturated fat content compared to standard snack products. They’re packed full of proteins and fiber for sustained energy delivery.
• Benefits of Healthy Snacks: Benefits of healthy snacks include weight management, reduced need for larger meals, improved brain performance, and overall improved health.
• Drivers for Market Growth: Consumer demand for functional and healthy foods has propelled market expansion. Popular retailers are adopting functional ingredients like proteins, micronutrients, and fiber to meet this growing consumer need.
• Popularity of Convenience Foods: Convenience foods have seen exponential market growth over time due to their widespread appeal among busy individuals who need quick nutrition with no time wasted! Convenience snacks provide this quick nutrition with fullness-inducing properties; making them essential in our hectic daily lifestyles.
• Technological Challenges: Manufacturers face technological difficulties associated with producing healthy snacks, particularly maintaining their desired texture and shelf stability. Clean-label snack products without additives may present difficulties when trying to achieve emulsification and stabilization.
• Dominant Product Types: Nuts, Seeds and Trail Mixes have an overwhelming share in terms of market share due to their high protein content and ease of consumption. Nut-based snacks have also seen increasing popularity with those following vegan or plant-based diets.
• Distribution Channels: Supermarkets and hypermarkets were dominant market forces in 2022 due to emerging economies’ rapid development of retail infrastructure that contributed to industry expansion.
• Regional Market Dominance: North America, particularly the US, was by far the dominant region for food market shares in 2022. Europe followed closely behind, featuring on-the-go nutrition products and functional foods as the fastest-growing trend.
• Emerging Market Opportunities: Asia-Pacific markets are forecasted to experience explosive growth due to rising disposable income and an increasing desire for products with greater health benefits.
• Key Market Players: Major participants in the Healthy Snack Market include PepsiCo Inc, Nestle S.A, Unilever Plc, Tyson Foods Inc, and Kellogg Company – to name but a few.

Driving Factors

Rising Need to Reduce Food Waste Fueling the Market Growth

Consumers are more inclined towards ready-to-eat foods which have a long shelf life. Thus, the demand for food preservatives is increasing in such products to improve shelf life. With increasing concerns about food safety and security, consumers are shifting towards food products that are safe to consume. Therefore, the demand for natural food preservatives market is increasing in the market, driving the market growth.

Revolutions in food processing and food packaging technologies have led to the development of new and innovative food preservatives, thus increasing the availability and effectiveness of food preservatives and propelling market growth.

As disposable income levels rise, consumers are spending more on processed and packaged food products, which drives the demand for food preservatives. Also, preserving food reduces food waste, waste landfills, and other environmental footprints.

The food and beverage industry is expanding rapidly, driven by the growth of e-commerce and the rise in the number of restaurants and cafes. The most common preservatives, such as sorbate, natamycin, and benzoate, have high demand in dairy products that play an important role in inhibiting the growth of various microorganisms.

With the increasing population and rising disposable income, the demand for dairy food products is increasing. Thus, to increase shelf life and to meet consumer demand use of food preservatives is increasing in dairy food products fuelling the market growth. Top of Form

Restraining Factors

Increasing Health Risks and Negative Health Effects Hampering the Market Growth

Some food preservatives have health risks. For example, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite, which are mostly used in preserving meat, have been associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Some people have allergies to preservatives in food, which causes serious reactions such as hives, swelling, and difficulty in breathing.  The use of preservatives can cause nutrition loss in food which can reduce the nutritional values of food products.

By Type Analysis

The Synthetic Food Preservatives Segment is Dominant in the Market Owing to High Demand in Food Industry

Based on type, the food preservatives market is classified into synthetic preservatives and natural preservatives. The synthetic preservatives segment was dominant in the market, with the largest market revenue share of 66% in 2022.

This preservative acts as an antioxidant which makes food more acidic, reduces the moisture level of food, reduces the ripening process rate, and prevents the growth of microorganisms, which helps improve the shelf life of fast foods.

The increasing demand for synthetic food preservatives in the meat & poultry industry, food industry, and snacks is propelling the growth of this segment. The natural food preservative segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. These preservatives are safe and more convenient as compared to synthetic preservatives.

Natural food preservatives commonly include neem oil, grapeseed extract, buffered vinegar, and rosemary extracts. Consumers worldwide are more aware of personal health. Thus the demand for natural food preservatives is expected to increase in the forecast period.

By Label Type Analysis

The Conventional Segment is Dominant in the Market

On the basis of label type, the food preservatives market is segmented into the clean label and conventional. The conventional segment was dominant in the market, with the largest market revenue share of 63% in 2022.

Conventional food preservatives play an important role in improving the shelf life of food. The conventional food preservative methods include drying, refrigeration, pasteurization, and fermentation.

These preservatives mostly include antioxidants that work as oxygen absorbers and antimicrobial preservatives that inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. The clean-label food preservatives segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to increasing consumers’ preference for natural and additive-free food products.

The clean label generally indicates that the product is free from chemical additives, has an ingredient list that is easy to understand, and has undergone natural processing.

By Function Analysis

The antimicrobial Segment is Dominant in the Market, Aided by High Demand for Cosmetics Products

On the basis of function food preservatives market is segmented into antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other functions. The antimicrobial preservatives segment was dominant in the market, with the largest market revenue share of 76%, in 2022.

This preservative plays an important role in preserving pharmaceutical products, food, and other organic materials from microorganisms. These types of preservatives include Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl, Sorbic Acid, and Butyl Parabens.

This preservative has significant applications in cosmetics and personal care products and helps to prevent the growth of molds, bacteria, and yeast. Antimicrobials are added and fed as preservatives to control foodborne bacteria, inhibit spoilage microorganisms, and extend the shelf life of final products. The antioxidants segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

These food preservatives are capable of delaying and preventing rancidity of food due to oxidation and therefore increase the shelf life of food products. They allow food to conserve its nutritional properties and quality level. Thus, antioxidant food preservatives have high demand in the food industry.

By Application Analysis

The Meat & Poultry Products Segment is Dominant Owing to Rising Demand for Meat and Poultry products

On the basis of application, the food preservatives market is into meat & poultry products, bakery products, dairy products, beverages, snacks, and other applications. The meat & poultry segment was dominant in the market, with the largest market revenue share of 35% in 2022. The rising demand for seafood and meat is propelling the growth of the segment.

The food preservatives such as sodium lactate and potassium lactate have high demand in poultry and meat that not only helps in improving shelf but also fight against bacteria. The antioxidants such as BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) in poultry and meat maintain the qualities of products by retarding rancidity in fats, sausages, and dried meats. The bakery products segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

Key Market Segments

By Type

• Synthetic Preservatives
• Natural Preservatives

By Label Type

• Clean Label
• Conventional

By Function

• Antimicrobial
• Antioxidant
• Other Functions

By Application

• Meat & Poultry Products
• Bakery Products
• Dairy Products
• Beverages
• Snacks
• Other Applications

Growth Opportunity

Rising Demand for Ready-to-Eat Food Products

The global food preservatives market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR due to the increasing demand for processed and packaged foods. Due to busy lifestyles and rising disposable incomes, consumers are looking for convenient food products that have a longer shelf life, making food preservatives an important ingredient in the food industry.

Moreover, the food preservation industry is also expected to grow due to the rising need to reduce food waste. Furthermore, the increasing consumer preference for natural and organic food preservatives market has created opportunities for natural food preservatives, such as vinegar, salt, and spices.

Consumers are increasingly inclined towards clean-label products that do not contain artificial preservatives. Thus the increasing demand for convenient and safe food products, the rising need to reduce food waste, and increasing trends toward natural organic food preservatives market size are expected to create new growth opportunities in the market.

Latest Trends

Demand for Natural Food Preservatives in Increasing in Market

Food preservatives are substances added to food products to extend their shelf life, prevent spoilage, and maintain their quality and freshness. Increasing demand for natural food preservatives is the main key trend in the market. Consumers are becoming more aware of the health risks associated with synthetic preservatives.

Thus, they prefer natural preservatives derived from plant extracts, essential oils, and other natural sources. The demand for clean-label food products is increasing in the market due to rising consumers’ inclination towards additives-free food products.

Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific Region is Dominant in the Market with Largest Market Revenue Share

North America was dominant in the market, with the largest market revenue share of 34% in 2022. The growth of the region is propelled by increasing demand for safe food products and rising demand to reduce food waste. Consumers in developed economies such as the US, Canada, and Mexico prefer natural and minimally processed food due to increased health risks.

Also, the growth of the market in the region is attributed to the increasing consumption of ready-to-eat packaged food products. The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to increasing demand for dairy products and rising demand in food industries.

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

Key Players Analysis

DuPont de Nemours Inc. is a leading chemical company in the food preservatives market that produces a variety of food preservatives. The major key players in the food preservatives market are focusing on business strategies such as merging, acquisition, collaboration, and competitive pricing to obtain a competitive edge in the market.

Several key players are expanding their business in foreign countries to stay competitive in the market. The leading key players in the market include Kerry Group, DSM, BASF SE, and Cargill Inc.

Top Key Players in Food Preservative Market

• Cargill Inc.
• Kemin Industries Inc.
• ADM
• Koninklijke DSM N.V.
• BASF SE
• Celanese Corporation
• Corbion N.V.
• Galactic S.A.
• Kerry Group Plc.
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• Hansen Holding A/S
• Other Key Players

Recent Developments

• In September 2021, Kerry Group launched a new range of natural and organic food preservative solutions to help food manufacturers meet clean label requirements.
• In July 2021, Kerry Group announced that it would acquire Niacet Corp., which is a leading company that provides preservation solutions for food, pharmaceutical, and personal care products.

Report Scope