The Chilled Food Packaging Market is estimated to be valued at USD 1068.4 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2202.0 million by 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% over the forecast period.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Chilled Food Packaging Market Estimated Value in (2025E) | USD 1068.4 million |
| Chilled Food Packaging Market Forecast Value in (2035F) | USD 2202.0 million |
| Forecast CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 7.5% |
The chilled food packaging market is experiencing consistent growth due to rising consumer demand for convenient, fresh, and ready to consume food options across urban and semi urban populations. This trend is further supported by lifestyle shifts, dual income households, and increased preference for minimally processed perishable items.
Advancements in barrier technologies, antimicrobial films, and modified atmosphere packaging have significantly improved shelf life and product safety, enhancing consumer confidence. Additionally, regulatory emphasis on food traceability and hygiene compliance is accelerating the adoption of secure, tamper evident, and temperature resilient packaging formats.
The market is projected to maintain a strong trajectory as retailers and manufacturers focus on sustainable packaging solutions and cold chain integration to meet evolving food safety standards and consumer expectations.
The market is segmented by Material, Packaging Type, and Application and region. By Material, the market is divided into Plastic, Aluminum, and Paper & Paperboard. In terms of Packaging Type, the market is classified into Boxes, Tubs & Cups, Cans, Trays, Pouches & Bags, and Films & Wraps. Based on Application, the market is segmented into Ready-to-Eat Products, Fruits and Vegetables, Meat, Poultry, & Seafood, Dairy Products, and Others (Soups, etc.). Regionally, the market is classified into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Balkan & Baltic Countries, Russia & Belarus, Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.
The plastic segment is expected to dominate the material category with a 54.20% share of total market revenue by 2025. This dominance is driven by plastic's inherent versatility, superior barrier properties, and cost effectiveness, making it the most preferred material for chilled food preservation.
Its lightweight structure and compatibility with advanced sealing technologies have facilitated extensive use in automated packaging systems. The ability of plastic to maintain product integrity under varying temperature conditions and during transportation has reinforced its role in cold chain logistics.
As manufacturers seek packaging materials that combine functionality, affordability, and food safety compliance, plastic remains the material of choice across chilled food applications.
The boxes segment is projected to account for 47.60% of total revenue by 2025 under the packaging type category, establishing it as the leading format. This prominence is attributed to its rigidity, stackability, and protective capabilities which are essential for maintaining food quality during handling and transportation.
Boxes offer ample surface area for branding, nutritional information, and regulatory labeling, supporting both retail visibility and compliance. Their use in ready to eat meal kits and premium food presentations has grown due to their ability to provide structure and insulation.
Moreover, innovation in recyclable and biodegradable box materials has increased their appeal among environmentally conscious consumers and food service operators.
The ready to eat products segment is projected to hold 42.90% of the total market revenue by 2025 within the application category, making it the dominant segment. This growth is fueled by rising demand for time saving meal solutions and increased consumption of refrigerated meals among working professionals and younger demographics.
Packaging solutions tailored for ready to eat products require leak resistance, temperature stability, and microwave compatibility, which has driven the development of specialized packaging formats. Retail expansion, particularly in chilled food aisles and convenience stores, has further accelerated the uptake of high performance packaging.
As consumers seek freshness, convenience, and safety in their food choices, packaging for ready to eat products continues to play a pivotal role in shaping purchasing behavior and brand differentiation.
The global chilled food packaging market witnessed a CAGR of 6.0% during the historic period with a market value of USD 993.8 Million in 2024.
Chilled Food Packaging is related to frozen food. Some of the food products need to be kept under such packaging theme thus they can survive till their shelf-life. Chilled packaging solutions are needed when producers want to increase the shelf life of these products by freezing them. Frozen foods are required certain materials used in the packaging otherwise it may cause some chemical reactions also. The chilled food packaging market is driven by such perishable products which have a very short shelf life.
The continuously growing frozen food industry is projected to drive the demand for chilled food packaging. To increase the shelf life of perishable food products, freezing is being done. The growing frozen food industry is creating a platform for the chilled food packaging market. Overall, the global chilled food packaging market is anticipated to grow at a faster pace during the forecast period.
Ready-to-eat food producers are producing such products in bulk to meet-up the demand. These daily consumable products are stored and frozen by the producers in order to keep the food fresh. These frozen foods need safe and protective packaging while they are kept at a negative temperature. Packaging for such frozen foods is crucial, since the wrong material packaging may cause into danger reactions. The chilled food packaging market is providing protective and safe packaging solutions to frozen food producer companies.
Daily consumable food products are routine needs of the people. Customers are demanding hygienic and safe food and packaging from the producers. The pandemic has also changed the fundamental perspectives of the people. This completely new viewpoint towards frozen food is demanding unique and protective chilled packaging.
Based on the material segment, plastic is the leading material in the chilled food packaging market. Plastic is expected to hold a 47% Share of the chilled food packaging market. Chilled food requires protective packaging while they are stored in freezers. Plastic is protective against bacterial attacks and also does not have any chemical reactions while stored in a cooler place. Frozen food producers are also demanding plastic-based packaging solutions since it is affordable and protective in nature. The recommendation for plastic chilled packaging is to make plastic the most preferable material in manufacturing such packaging solutions
Fresh food market adapting hygienic and protective packaging amid customer demands. Fruits and vegetables need to be protected with proper packaging themes. Customers’ concern for packaged food is rising rapidly after the pandemic hit the market.
According to data found from WRAP Organization, 57% of the young generation believes that packaging keeps food fresher, and also helps the product to increase its shelf-life. Packaging for such ready-to-eat products is required no chemical reactions against low temperatures since food products need to be stored in freezers in order to increase their shelf-life. Customers are prioritizing packaged food over unpackaged food products, which is creating opportunities for chilled food packaging.
India chilled food packaging market is anticipated to grow at 8.0% from 2025 to 2035. India has a prominent market for dairy products. India has more milk production in small and rural areas rather than in urban areas. India as a more rural-dependent country is having wide scope for the milk industry.
As per the data collected from the USA Department of Agriculture, India is the biggest milk producer country in the world. The milk production in India has an average constant growth of 4.5% and produced 155 Million Tonnes of milk. It creates growth opportunities for dairy products also. Due to perishability, these dairy products require chilled packaging. That’s how the biggest dairy industry is creating lucrative opportunities for the chilled packaging market.
The USA is estimated to hold a major portion of the North American slider bags market during the forecast period. According to the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), in 2024 the sales of frozen foods increased by 21%. Also, it states that around 39% of the shoppers were core frozen food shoppers in 2024. The increasing sales of frozen food in the countries of America bolster the demand for the chilled food packaging market.
The main players in the market are focusing on securing more market share. Striving from the key players for capturing the market led them to various expansions and acquisitions. In order to accomplish their goals, companies are merging with various players, and are also acquiring small companies in the market. Some of the key changes that have been noticed during the timeline are as under-
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 7.5% from 2025 to 2035 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 to 2035 |
| Quantitative Units | Revenue in USD Million, Volume in Units, and CAGR from 2025 to 2035 |
| Report Coverage | Revenue Forecast, Volume Forecast, Company Ranking, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Trends, and Pricing Analysis |
| Segments Covered | Material, Packaging Type, Application, Region |
| Regions Covered | North America; Latin America; Europe; East Asia; South Asia; Middle East and Africa; Oceania |
| Key Countries Covered | USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, China, Japan, India, GCC countries, Australia |
| Key Companies Profiled | International Paper; Mondi Group; Ampac Holdings, LLC; Amcor Plc; Sealstrip Corporation; Sonoco Products Company; Alto Packaging; Sealed Air Corporation; Huhtamaki Group; WestRock Company; Tray-Pak Corporation; Uflex Limited.; Amerplast Ltd; Berry Global Inc.; Faerch Plast A/S |
| Customization & Pricing | Available upon Request |
The global chilled food packaging market is estimated to be valued at USD 1,068.4 million in 2025.
The market size for the chilled food packaging market is projected to reach USD 2,202.0 million by 2035.
The chilled food packaging market is expected to grow at a 7.5% CAGR between 2025 and 2035.
The key product types in chilled food packaging market are plastic, aluminum and paper & paperboard.
In terms of packaging type, boxes segment to command 47.6% share in the chilled food packaging market in 2025.
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Chilled Food Packaging Market
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