The mesh bag market is projected to grow from USD 1.6 billion in 2025 to USD 2.2 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. Sales in 2024 reached USD 1.5 billion. This growth has been encouraged by increased usage in produce, seafood, and firewood packaging applications where airflow and product visibility are prioritized.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2025 | USD 1.6 Billion |
| Projected Market Size in 2035 | USD 2.2 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 3.2% |
Reusability and cost-effectiveness have contributed to the rising adoption across retail and agriculture sectors. Additionally, support from waste-reduction regulations and biodegradable material innovations has positively influenced demand forecasts across Europe and Asia-Pacific.
In 2023, Giro Pack launched cellulose mesh bag. Atlanta-based Giro Pack has been making mesh bags and machinery to make those bags for about 100 years. “Although the company has changed over the decades as new technology comes online and customers and consumers clamor for sustainable packaging, We haven’t gotten away from our core,” said Jen Doxey, national sales manager.
We were the first company to put a piece of fruit into that mesh bag she said. Traditional plastic mesh bags still account for most of the firm’s output, but as customer requests for sustainable packaging grow, the company has come up with a couple of other options.
Material innovation in mesh bag production has been prioritized to align with stringent packaging mandates and reduce dependency on multilayer plastics. Biodegradable polymers and monolayer extrusions are being integrated into designs to facilitate recyclability without compromising tensile strength or ventilation performance.
Automation-compatible weaving technologies are also being utilized to reduce labor requirements in large-scale produce operations. Demand for compostable and plant-based substrates has accelerated as agricultural exporters adapt to country-specific EPR and plastic taxation laws. Continuous R&D spending by packaging converters has been emphasized to ensure compliance with varying food contact and environmental standards globally.
The market outlook remains promising as mesh bags continue to serve high-throughput sectors such as citrus, onions, and shellfish with sustainable performance benchmarks. Growth has been forecast in tandem with increasing mechanization in produce sorting and packing, requiring consistent packaging form factors.
Global regulatory trends favoring lightweight, recyclable, and biodegradable solutions are likely to stimulate material transitions over the next decade. Industry players are expected to invest further in circular design strategies and closed-loop collection systems, enhancing long-term competitiveness. Partnerships between retailers and packaging manufacturers are likely to grow to address both environmental and shelf-life optimization targets.
The market is segmented based on material type, bag type, end-use industry, and region. By material type, the market includes polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), cotton, jute, nylon, and biodegradable polymers, each offering distinct durability, sustainability, and cost benefits.
These materials are selected based on application-specific needs like breathability and strength. By bag type, segmentation includes leno mesh bags, raschel mesh bags, tubular mesh bags, drawstring mesh bags, flat mesh bags, and printed mesh bags.
These bag types are designed for varying packaging, handling, and branding purposes. End-use industries comprise agriculture, food & beverage, retail & supermarkets, industrial packaging, and laundry and household storage. Regions covered include North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Oceania, and Middle East & Africa.
Polypropylene (PP) is expected to lead the mesh bag market with a projected share of 46.5% in 2025, supported by its lightweight, high-strength profile and resistance to moisture and chemicals. It has been widely adopted in agricultural and industrial packaging due to its cost-effective production and recyclability. Mesh bags made from PP have been favored for bulk packaging of produce, firewood, and construction materials requiring ventilation and strength. These bags have allowed high visibility of contents, reducing handling errors and spoilage risks during transportation.
In comparison with cotton or jute alternatives, PP mesh bags have provided extended shelf life and improved tensile performance across long supply chains. Customizability in terms of color, weave pattern, and bag strength has made PP suitable for both automated and manual packaging systems. With a growing shift toward recyclable yet durable packaging formats, polypropylene mesh bags are expected to retain market leadership across high-volume end-use sectors.
The agriculture industry is projected to dominate the end-use segment of the mesh bag market with an estimated share of 58.2% in 2025, driven by its reliance on breathable, lightweight packaging for fresh produce and bulk commodities. Mesh bags have been widely used for onions, potatoes, citrus fruits, and shellfish. These bags have facilitated faster product cooling and reduced spoilage, especially in transit and storage environments without advanced refrigeration. Their ability to handle heavy loads while ensuring ventilation has proven essential in maintaining product freshness.
Leno and tubular mesh bags made from PP or PET have been widely implemented across regional and export-level packaging operations. Branding options and labeling compatibility have added value for growers and distributors seeking traceability and visual merchandising benefits. As global agricultural exports continue to rise, and ventilation remains key for perishable produce, the agriculture sector is expected to consistently lead mesh bag consumption.
The mesh bag market is led in the United States due to increased demand for sustainable, breathable, and cost-effective packaging solutions across agriculture, food retail, and consumer goods.
The trend towards eco-friendly alternatives, coupled with stringent regulations for plastic packaging waste, has acted as the catalyst for innovation of reusable bags, biodegradable mesh bags, and increased investments in artificial intelligence-powered automated manufacturing, high-strength polymer mesh fabrics, and recyclable materials for increased durability and environmental sustainability.
More funds are being put towards sustainability programs aimed at reducing packaging waste and initiating extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, motivating the shift toward compostable and recycled solutions for mesh bags.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United States | 6.2% |
The UK mesh bag market is steadily increasing with businesses looking into sustainable packaging, adherence to stringent environmental regulations, and the demand from consumers for plastic-free alternatives. The rising emphasis on circular economy initiatives and plastic taxes has prompted players to invest in biodegradable mesh bag solutions and reusable or recyclable ones.
Enhanced weaving technology, reinforced fiber structures to allow higher tensile strength, and moisture-resistant coatings are some of the innovations that are being adopted to enhance the durability and usability of these mesh bags.
Smart labeling, digital printing, and transparency in supply chain are other innovations that help in product traceability and consumer engagement. The emerging sustainable grocery packaging regime and reusable shopping bags bode well for the UK mesh bag market.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 5.9% |
The mesh bag market in Japan is propelling a steady growth pattern for the country, which is due to the packaging-demanding precision, high-quality manufacturing, and sustainability-oriented trends. The demand for lightweight, breathable, reusable mesh bags in agricultural and seafood packaging plus personal care applications continues to advance new technology.
High-strength mesh bags with antimicrobial coating or UV-resistant materials, and a blend of biodegradable polymers are being developed for added functionality and sustainability.
Furthermore, Japan's advocacy of eco-friendly retail packaging and less use of single-use plastics is pushing manufacturers to adopt advanced fiber compositions, AI-powered defect detection, and water-based printing technologies. The accelerated adoption of mesh bags in Japan is further spurred by the transition towards smart mesh packaging solutions with RFID-enabled tracking and interactive branding.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 5.7% |
Due to the growing requirement for high-performance, reusable, and environmentally-friendly packaging solutions, mesh bag market in South Korea is expanding rapidly. Supporting this investment into next-generation mesh bags is the governmental policy for the reduction of plastic waste, extending recycling programs and innovations in sustainable packaging.
On the other hand, companies today are tracking their developments towards reinforced polymer-free mesh, plant-based fiber materials, and biodegradable coatings to sufficiently address their durability and environmental impact.
Moreover, digital packaging solutions, smart tracking systems, and high-strength mesh weaving technologies are being developed to improve the efficiency of production in flexible packaging. The continued development of breathable, lightweight, and moisture-resistant mesh bags is also bolstering the South Korean market.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 6.1% |
The mesh bag market is influenced by rising demand in food & beverage, agriculture, retail, and industrial packaging applications. The market is witnessing innovation through new sustainable packaging technologies, such as compostable mesh fabrics, AI-powered defect detection, and RFID-enabled tracking, addressing concerns about efficiency, sustainability, and branding optimization.
Additionally, advancements in high-speed weaving and automated quality control systems are further shaping industry trends. The rising preference for lightweight, breathable, and premium-quality mesh bags is also contributing to market growth.
Furthermore, increased investments in sustainable packaging integration, circular economy initiatives, and AI-enabled production monitoring are improving product efficiency and expanding market opportunities.
Companies are also exploring hybrid packaging solutions that integrate mesh bags with compostable materials, smart tracking features, and moisture-resistant coatings for enhanced usability. Additionally, collaborations between mesh bag manufacturers and agricultural supply chains are driving the development of customized sustainable packaging solutions tailored to diverse industry needs.
| Report Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Market Size (2025) | USD 1.6 billion |
| Projected Market Size (2035) | USD 2.2 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 3.2% |
| Base Year for Estimation | 2024 |
| Historical Period | 2020 to 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 to 2035 |
| Quantitative Units | Revenue in USD billion and Volume in units |
| By Material | Jute, Cotton, Polypropylene, High-Density Polyethylene, Plastic |
| By Product | Tube Style Mesh Bag, Half-n-half Bags, Leno Bags, Raschel Bags |
| By Mesh | Large, Middle, Small |
| By Capacity | 500-1000 lb, 50-100 lb, <50 lb, 1000 lb and Above |
| By End Use | Vegetables, Fruits, Other Groceries |
| By Region | North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle East & Africa |
| Key Players | LC Packaging, Schouw & Co. (NNZ Group), Volm Companies, Mondi Group, Tex-Trude International, ProAmpac, Tama Group, Norplex Inc., Global-Pak Inc., Custom Poly Packaging |
| Countries Covered | United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, China, India, Japan, South Korea, ANZ, GCC Countries, South Africa |
| Additional Attributes | Dollar sales by material (jute, cotton, polypropylene, HDPE), Dollar sales by product type (tube style, leno, raschel), Dollar sales by mesh size (large, middle, small), Dollar sales by capacity range (below 50 lb to above 1000 lb), Trends in sustainable packaging for agriculture, Regional focus on reusable and recyclable mesh bags |
| Customization and Pricing | Customization and Pricing Available on Request |
The overall market size for the Mesh Bag Market was USD 1.6 Billion in 2025.
The Mesh Bag Market is expected to reach USD 2.2 Billion in 2035.
The market will be driven by increasing demand from food & beverage, agriculture, and retail industries. Innovations in AI-powered defect detection, biodegradable polymers, and improvements in lightweight, breathable mesh packaging will further propel market expansion.
Key challenges include fluctuating raw material costs, recyclability concerns with synthetic mesh materials, and production complexities. However, advancements in compostable mesh bag technology, AI-driven quality control, and water-resistant coatings are addressing these concerns and supporting market growth.
North America and Europe are expected to dominate due to strong investment in sustainable packaging solutions, stringent environmental regulations, and high consumer demand for breathable, eco-friendly packaging. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is experiencing rapid growth driven by increasing industrialization, rising demand for fresh produce packaging, and expanding manufacturing capabilities.
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