Food Packaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Rigid, Flexible, Semi-rigid), By Material (Paper & Paper-based, Plastic, Metal, Glass), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global food packaging market size was valued at USD 346.5 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2022 to 2030. Changing lifestyles and alternative eating habits are expected to boost demand for convenience food products, thus positively contributing to the industry demand. Factors such as convenience and the use of high-performance materials are expected to aid the industry growth. Improved shelf-life, coupled with heightened efficiency in the prevention of content contamination, is expected to boost the growth of the industry. In addition, factors such as increasing population, rising disposable income, and shrinking households have a positive impact on the industry growth.

An increasing number of foodservice suppliers is expected to drive the market as they digitalize their operations. Convenient payment modes, coupled with the ease of choosing food items based on taste and health preferences, are contributing to the growth of food service providers, which, in turn, drives the market for food packaging.

The market in the U.S. is expected to be fueled by the increasing urban population leading to the growth in the consumption of packaged food and the rising popularity of single-serve packs. The market is also supported by an increasing infrastructure for the recycling of plastics, metals, and glass, however, concerns regarding wastage due to improper packaging may hamper the growth.

The U.S. dairy industry is a major sector for food packaging manufacturers. In 2021, the country accounted for approximately 19.0% of global milk production. Further, the growing popularity of plant-based dairy products is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for food packaging product manufacturers in the country during the forecast period.

During the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, government restrictions and consumer apprehensions about having outside food had a positive effect on the ready-to-eat foods segment. Consumer behavior changed due to the pandemic and packaged foods were preferred over restaurant food due to their safety and hygiene.

Additionally, customers have chosen to purchase their items through channels not the same as those they utilized before the pandemic. During the initial phase of the pandemic, the overall e-commerce levels were up including a two- to three-times increase in click-and-collect purchases.

Sales of online goods and services increased following the shift from offline to online and the introduction of new types of online shopping experiences with multiple touchpoints for consumers, which benefitted the sales of food packaging solutions used in the e-commerce industry.

Type Insights

The flexible segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 40.0% in 2021 and is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Factors such as shrinking household sizes and increasing snacking have encouraged the development of flexible packaging materials, such as peel-off foil, peel-off plastic, and peel-off paper in the food industry.

Flexible packaging products such as bags are preferred for rigid packaging by end-user companies since the former consumes fewer resources, making it more environmentally friendly. This trend is likely to accelerate the growth of bags and pouches as a preferred packaging type over the forecast period.

The rigid packaging segment is expected to register a CAGR of 4.4% from 2022 to 2030. The demand for rigid food packaging is projected to be driven by its applicability and functionality of offering high protection to packaged food such as ready-to-eat food products and single-serve food, which are highly popular.

The demand for fresh food products such as fruits and vegetables, along with processed protein-rich fish and meat, is steadily growing in countries such as Canada, China, and India owing to health awareness among the masses. Rigid products are extensively utilized for the packaging of these products, contributing to segment growth.

Material Insights

Plastic emerged as the leading material segment with a revenue share of over 35.0% in 2021. Plastic packaging products such as trays, containers, tubs, wraps, pouches, and others are extensively utilized in the food & beverage industry for packaging convenient food, frozen meals, carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, and snacks.

The paper and paper-based segment has been witnessing an upsurge in terms of demand globally and is expected to register a lucrative CAGR of 6.4% over the forecast period. As consumers seek eco-friendly packaging, companies have adapted environmentally friendly packaging in conjunction with changing regulatory environments that place greater emphasis on environmental protection.

The stringent regulations governing packaging products are expected to pose several challenges. California, Delaware, Connecticut, Maine, Hawaii, New York, Vermont, and Oregon are among the states that have banned single-use plastic bags. This trend is expected to impact the growth of plastic materials in the North American market for food packaging over the forecast period.

The metal segment is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period. Aluminum has become a popular choice for home packaging due to its ability to be cooled and heated for sterilization. Additionally, stringent regulations regarding the use of plastics are expected to support the demand for metal packaging solutions over the forecast period.

Application Insights

The bakery and confectionery segment held the largest revenue share of over 25.0% in 2021. Bakery and confectionery products are generally packed in high moisture barrier packaging to extend their shelf life. Flexible packaging is widely used for the aforementioned application owing to its advantages such as lightweight, printability, and cost-effectiveness over paper cartons and tins. Furthermore, the attractive packing of confectionery products is expected to boost the segment growth.

The bakery and confectionery segment is expected to witness growth over the forecast period. The convenience offered by prepared or ready-to-eat bakery products makes it a popular choice for dual-earner households and students. Thus, high acceptance of packaged food is expected to fuel the growth of the bakery and confectionery segment.

Consumer inclination toward dairy products in smaller packs due to shrinking households is anticipated to augment market growth. Adoption of attractive food packaging strategies by manufacturers is also likely to boost the segment growth. Moreover, the rising demand for dairy products such as yogurt and ice cream is expected to augment the growth.

The growing presence of vegans in the region has increased the growth opportunities for companies that operate in the plant-based packaged food industry. The demand for ready-to-eat meals is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The meat, poultry, and seafood segment are expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. The versatility offered by packaging solutions such as bags, sacks, aluminum films, glass bottles, and containers in the form of heat insulation, moisture resistance, ease of storage, and aroma retention enables their increased use in meat, poultry, and seafood.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific region held the largest revenue share of over 35.0% in 2021. The industry is expected to be driven by increasing population, rising per capita income, and growing demand in emerging economies such as China, Japan, and India in the Asia Pacific region. China is the largest consumer owing to its large population and growing economy. The market in China is expected to grow at a significant rate owing to its expanding middle-class population and rising purchasing power.

North America accounted for a considerable share in 2021. The shift in consumer preferences toward meat alternatives along with the growing vegan population is anticipated to open new growth avenues for the food packaging companies as Beyond Meat; AMY’s Kitchen Inc.; and Morning Star Farms are companies witnessing considerable growth over the past few years, aiding the growth of the market.

The penetration of e-commerce has been considerably growing in the region owing to the increased adoption of the internet and the emergence of various e-commerce-based services in the country. In 2021, over 66% of the Canadian population purchased products online, and the percentage is projected to cross the 77% mark by 2024.

Online distribution of packaged food products creates additional packaging requirements owing to the extensive demand for logistics and supply chain activities. Therefore, the growing penetration of e-commerce in Canada is expected to contribute to the growth of the market in the region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is highly competitive with the presence of large, medium, and small-sized companies. The major companies in the market compete with not only other international companies but also with local players at the regional level with the market moving toward sustainable packaging. The market exhibits the presence of numerous smaller players providing customized products to end-users.

The continuous investments in research & development programs by leading packaging companies have led to the introduction of several packaging technologies in recent years. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), retort packaging, child-proof and elderly-friendly packaging, and temperature-controlled packaging are a few of the widely utilized packaging technologies.

The value additions in the packaging offered by manufacturers have resulted in a significant expansion of the market size in terms of revenue and benefitted the companies in terms of profit margin. Some prominent players in the global food packaging market include:

• Amcor plc

• Sealed Air

• Sonoco Products Company

• Berry Global, Inc.

• WestRock Company

• Mondi

• Genpak LLC

• Pactiv LLC

• Chantler Packages

• WINPAK LTD.

• Alpha Packaging

• BE Packaging

• Cheer Pack North America

• Evanesce Packaging Solutions Inc.

• Pacmoore Products Inc.

• Innovative Fiber

• Emmerson Packaging

• PakTech

• Tradepak

• ProAmpac

Food Packaging Market Report Scope

Global Food Packaging Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global food packaging market report based on type, material, application, and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

  • Rigid

  • Semi-rigid

  • Flexible

• Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

  • Paper & Paper-based

  • Plastic

  • Metal

  • Glass

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

  • Bakery & Confectionery

  • Dairy Products

  • Fruits &Vegetables

  • Meat, Poultry, & Seafood

  • Sauces & Dressings

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • U.K.

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia