The global sales of processed meat packaging are estimated to be worth USD 1.7 billion in 2024 and are anticipated to reach a value of USD 2.2 billion by 2034. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 3.0% over the forecast period between 2024 and 2034. The revenue generated by processed meat packaging in 2023 was USD 1.6 billion. The industry is anticipated to exhibit a Y-o-Y growth of 2.5% in 2024.
Meat snacks are expected to be mostly sold in processed meat industry as they offer convenience and fulfill dietary preferences of consumers. The rising on the go consumption, busy lifestyles generates demand for easy to eat options like meat snacks.
Meat snacks are being preferred by the consumers driven by escalating demand for high protein food. Meat snacks are available in different flavour and development of innovative products attracts consumer to consume more amount of meat snack products. Meat snack are anticipated to generate growth in processed meat packaging for protection and safe storage.
Global Processed Meat Packaging Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2023 | USD 1.6 billion |
| Estimated Size, 2024 | USD 1.7 billion |
| Projected Size, 2034 | USD 2.2 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 3.0% |
Trays are projected to be the most popular format in meat packaging industry as they have good visibility and protection. It ensures the freshness and quality of meat which appeals to the consumers. Trays are used with different packaging technologies such as vacuum atmosphere and modified atmosphere packaging for increasing the shelf life of meat.
Trays are highly preferred by consumers because of its characteristics like easy storage and handling. Their cost effective nature, transparency, and clear labeling features contribute in its market share. Trays are anticipated to capture 27.1% market share and grow at 3.0% CAGR in assessment period.
Retail sales among distribution channel is leading the processed meat packaging. Retail channels have high level of accessibility, convenience, and reach to consumers. The rising number of grocery stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets are contributing to the segment growth.
Also retailers have wide range of processed meat products that suits the consumer’s demands. Retail sales are anticipated to record 2.6% growth rate and reach the 29.2% market share by end of forecast years.
The processed meat packaging industry is set to experience moderate growth during the forecast period. It is projected to create an incremental opportunity of USD 0.6 billion and is predicted to rise 1.3 times the current market value through 2034.
The above table presents the expected CAGR for the global processed meat packaging market over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2024 to 2034. In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2023 to 2033, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 3.3%, followed by a slightly lower growth rate of 2.9% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 3.3% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 2.9% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 2.7% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 3.4% (2024 to 2034) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2034, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 2.7% in the first half and remain relatively moderate at 3.4% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 60 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed an increase of 50 BPS.
High Demand for Flavored Meat Products Worldwide
The global production of meat climbed to 355.46 million tones as reported by World in Data. The global meat production has increased rapidly over the past 50 years and data shows that total production has more than quadrupled since 1961. This demonstrates unequivocally how the rising demand for various meat products, including pig, fish, beef, chicken, and others, is leading to increasing rate of meat production.
Excessive consumption of meat that has resulted from increasing meat production and high demand for convenience food has driven the need for fresh or high-quality meat even more. This need has also raised consumer knowledge regarding the advantages of meat packaging such as improved inventory management, enhanced freshness, and improved meat cleanliness, which is further fueling sales of processed meat packaging.
To give packaged meat products an umami flavor and texture, a range of herbs, marinades, sauces, and spices are used as flavorings. The trend of meat flavors is expanding and thus key companies are increasingly adopting new meat processing techniques like glazing and braising due to shifting consumer preferences.
Consumers prefer the flavor of packaged meat products over the extra time needed to prepare sophisticated meat dishes, which has helped packaged meat producers to gain more popularity. Consequently, the processed meat packaging market is expanding as a result of rising meat consumption and high demand among millennials.
Focus on Sustainable Packaging Materials and Films
Manufacturing companies are developing sustainable packaging solutions to pack meat products. As plastic is the most used material in meat packaging, the development of new packaging materials such as bio-based materials is being implemented in meat packaging.
The development of composite films manufactured from Polylactic acid blown with cinnamon essential oil and copper or silver Nano-particles in polymer cast is helping fulfil the sustainability goals. Pathogenic and bacterial deterioration of meat and poultry products is achieved by compression moulding technology.
Along with the consumers changing preference towards sustainable and eco-friendly packaging, the rules imposed by the governments on the use of eco-friendly packaging materials have given a boost to sustainable packaging in the meat packaging market.
The research and development towards emerging bio-based materials and the shift of demands towards the use of bio-based materials is creating growth opportunities for the meat packaging market.
Harmful Impact of Plastic-based Packaging on Human Health & Environment
Increasing consumption of meat globally has resulted in high demand for meat packaging such as plastic wraps and polymer films are used for packaging the meat.
Paper-based packaging solutions are biodegradable however, plastic-based solutions are neither recyclable nor biodegradable in nature, and create huge amounts of waste in the environment. Therefore, food processors and fast food retailers are opting for environment-friendly packaging solutions such as paper based packaging or biodegradable plastic for packaging the meat. This has resulted in slow growth of plastic-based packaging.
Most plastic materials such as PVC are considered harmful for direct food contact applications. Key foodservice packaging manufacturing companies have already eliminated the use of PVC for the production of plates, trays, etc. PVC is thought to be harmful due to the presence of toxic plasticizers such as DEHA in it, which can migrate to the packaged food.
The global processed meat packaging industry recorded a CAGR of 2.2% during the historical period between 2019 and 2023. The growth of the processed meat packaging industry was positive as it reached a value of USD 1.6 billion in 2023 from USD 1.4 billion in 2019.
Rising living standards and fast paced lifestyles are raising the consumption of processed and ready to eat food products. It is significantly spurring the sales of processed meat packaging. Meat packaging is gaining attention due to need for protecting the meat and increase its shelf life. Meat packaging plays significant role in maintaining freshness, extending shelf life and preventing it from contamination.
Since meat is a perishable product, its packaging must serve a number of purposes, including displaying label information, ensuring product visibility, providing a high barrier to protect the food from physio-chemical changes, moisture, oxygen, as well as resisting grease, odor, and tearing to keep it fresh.
Numerous advantages of meat packaging and rising consumer demand for processed & small-portion food items have increased the need for high-quality processed meat packaging. The need for various processed meat packaging formats like pouches has increased due to the rising popularity of small-portion meat products, which are mostly frozen meat products, as well as minimally processed dried meat-based snacks.
Additionally, it is anticipated that rising health consciousness, adoption of appropriate dietary practices, and consumption of small meal portion sizes would support the processed meat packaging market expansion.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), children and adults should reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake. Further, a reduction to below 5% or roughly 25 grams per day will offer additional health benefits. Thus, similar guidelines and recommendations by government healthcare organizations are anticipated to push sales of small sized packaging of meat and meat products.
Additionally, consumers are favoring single-use meat products due to the growing awareness of various dangers linked to raw and fresh meat. However, the processed meat packaging market is expanding significantly due to the surging consumption of small-sized meat products.
Tier 1 companies comprise market leaders with a market revenue of above USD 100 million capturing a significant market share of 10% to 15% in the global market. These market leaders are characterized by high production capacity and a wide product portfolio.
These players are distinguished by their extensive expertise in manufacturing across multiple products across different applications and a broad geographical reach, underpinned by a robust consumer base. They provide a wide range of products utilizing the latest technology and meeting the regulatory standards providing the highest quality. Prominent companies within Tier 1 encompass Amcor Plc, Berry Global Group Inc., and Sealed Air Corporation.
Tier 2 companies include mid-size players with revenue of USD 50 to 100 million having presence in specific regions and highly influencing the regional market. These are characterized by a limited international presence and well-maintained market knowledge.
These market players have good technology and ensure regulatory compliance but may not have advanced technology and wide global reach. Prominent companies in tier 2 include Winpak Ltd., Mondi Plc, Bollore Group., Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, and Sonoco Products Company, Smurfit Kappa, and Cascades Inc.
Tier 3 includes the majority of small-scale companies operating at the local presence and serving niche markets having revenue below USD 50 million. These companies are notably oriented towards fulfilling local market demands and are consequently classified within the tier 3 share segment.
They are small-scale players and have very limited geographical reach. Tier 3, within this context, is recognized as an unorganized market, denoting a sector characterized by a lack of extensive structure and formalization when compared to organized competitors.
The section below covers the industry analysis of the processed meat packaging market for different countries. Market demand analysis on key countries in several regions of the globe, including North America, South Asia & Pacific, East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and others, is provided.
In Europe, Germany is anticipated to register a moderate growth at 2.5% through 2034. In North America, US is projected to witness a growth rate of 2.6% by 2034 end.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| USA | 2.6% |
| Germany | 2.5% |
| UK | 2.7% |
| Canada | 2.4% |
| India | 3.7% |
| China | 3.3% |
| Japan | 2.9% |
| Thailand | 4.5% |
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), prime cattle slaughter in 2024 was expected to rise by 1% and reach 2.06 million head. Total beef production in the UK is expected to reach 902,000 tonnes. In 2023, UK shown the led demand for beef in retail and takeaway food because of high cost of living while it is expected to grow further in forecast period.
The increasing cattle population and their slaughter will generate more amount of meat in the United Kingdom. So, the UK is estimated to drive the meat packaging market during the forecast period
The United States is anticipated to create growth opportunities for meat packaging. According to the USA Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service, the latest forecast states that the consumer of the United States is estimated to produce around 47.53 million tons of meat in 2022 capturing the second position across globe.
The amount of meat produced in the United States is directly proportional to meat consumption and meat packaging. Meat Institute reported that meat and poultry processing is a USD 227.9 billion industry. The United States is creating opportunities for meat packaging with an increased amount of meat production.
China stands first in the meat production with 92.95 million tonnes in 2022, as reported by Our World in Data. Three out of four Chinese people who responded to a survey said they consumed meat. The packaging of meat is nowadays also being prioritized by Chinese manufacturers who are using sustainable packaging techniques.
The goal of new meat packaging is driving major firms to spend in research & development (R&D) activities. However, in the space of processed meat packaging, China is anticipated to experience a strong demand and exhibit a prominent incremental opportunity during the projection period.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. By material, plastic is anticipated to capture 47.1% of value share through 2034. Among product, canned meat is projected to showcase significant growth at 29.1% of the market share through 2034.
| Material | Plastic |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2034) | 47.1% |
Plastic is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% in the global processed meat packaging market during assessment period. Manufacturers of meat packaging often use plastic as it is renowned for its remarkable elasticity benefit and ability to enhance product visibility. Packaging made from plastic offers transparency and high barrier protection.
Increasing use of plastic processed meat packaging in various domestic and industrial applications is anticipated to drive the segment. Plastic is low cost compare to other materials which makes it cost efficient packaging for manufacturers. Plastic can be molded into versatile packaging formats such as bags, films, wraps, trays, and clamshells catering to different products.
| Product | Canned Meat |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2034) | 29.1% |
Canned meat is mostly used in processed meat packaging and it is expected to grow at 3.1% during upcoming period. Since canning process is very effective in meat preservation for longer time period and makes it a reliable option for consumers. Food canning seals the meat in airtight containers which prevents the spoilage and extends shelf life.
Canned meat is preferred by consumers because it is ready to eat and needs no preparation time. Consumer inclination towards the ready meals is increasing the demand for canned meat. Canned meat is usually inexpensive than fresh and frozen meat which makes it ideal choice. The longer shelf life of canned food reduce the food waste and makes cost effective choice.
Several prominent players in the processed meat packaging market are significantly investing in innovation, research, and development to discover new functions and enhance their offerings. Leveraging technology, these companies prioritize safety, product quality, and customer satisfaction to expand their customer base.
Key manufacturers of processed meat packaging are focusing on developing sustainable material packaging and developing packaging solutions to meet sustainability demand. They are adopting a merger & acquisition strategy to expand their resources and are developing new products to meet customer needs.
Recent Industry Developments in Processed Meat Packaging Market
In terms of product, the industry is divided into canned meats, cured meats, meat snacks, and speciality meat.
In terms of material, the industry is segregated plastic, paper, foil, biodegradable, and glass.
The industry is classified by packaging format as trays, bags, pouches, wraps, and containers.
The industry is classified by distribution channel as retail, food service channels, and direct sales.
Key countries of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia & Pacific, East Asia, and Middle East and Africa (MEA), have been covered in the report.
The global processed meat packaging industry is projected to witness CAGR of 3% between 2024 and 2034.
The global processed meat packaging industry stood at USD 1.6 billion in 2023.
The global processed meat packaging industry is anticipated to reach USD 2.2 billion by 2034 end.
South Asia and Pacific is set to record the highest CAGR of 5.5% in the assessment period.
The key players operating in the global processed meat packaging industry include includes Amcor Plc, Berry Global Group Inc., and Sealed Air Corporation.
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Processed Meat Packaging Market
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