Europe Food Cans Market Size and Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033

The Europe Food Cans Market, with a value of US$ 8.73 billion in 2024, is expected to register a CAGR of 2.44% from 2025 to 2033 and reach US$ 10.82 billion by 2033. Drivers are expanding demand for long-shelf-life and convenient food packaging, growth in urbanization, and improvements in sustainable material technologies. In addition, legislation supporting green and BPA-free cans also stimulates European market growth.

The report Europe Food Cans Market Forecast covers by Product (Aluminum, Steel), Application (Ready Meals, Meat, Vegetables, Fish, Fruits, Powder Products, Pet Food, Others), Countries and Company Analysis 2025-2033.

Europe Food Cans Market Overview

Food cans are sealed-up metal containers storing and keeping food for long duration. They are usually manufactured by aluminum or steel coated with tin. They shelter food from exposure to light, air, contaminations, as well as other external factors causing spoilage. Food cans house vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, soup, and convenient meals, meaning they are universally applied packaging throughout the food processing industry.

Food cans are becoming popular in Europe because they are convenient, have a long shelf life, and are sustainable. People are using more canned food products because of their storage ease, minimal wastage of food, and affordability. With fast-paced urban lifestyles, the demand for ready-to-eat and processed foods has increased, driving market growth even more. Further, European legislation to use recyclable and BPA-free packaging has pushed manufacturers towards investing in sustainable food cans, which have thus become the most sought-after packaging among eco-conscious consumers. Sustained development of sustainable food packaging trends and innovative can formats continues to underpin the Europe food cans market.

Growth Drivers in the Europe Food Cans Market

Growing Demand for Convenience and Long Shelf-Life Foods

Contemporary lifestyles have put a premium on convenient foods, particularly in metropolitan cities. Canned food offers a long shelf life without refrigeration, making it an attractive choice for consumers. Additionally, the growing trend of ready-to-eat meals and meal-prep solutions has boosted the demand for food cans. With busy work schedules, consumers prefer products that require minimal preparation while maintaining freshness and nutritional value, further driving the European food cans market. Eurostat has registered a 35% growth in fast-food spending in metropolitan regions of Europe between 2022 and 2024. The trend is particularly evident in young populations, where more than 60% state that they prefer fast food for its time-saving benefits. Eating for convenience is now necessary in busy surroundings, further driving the expansion of the fast-food market in urban European cities.

Increasing Demand for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Packaging

Environmental issues and governmental regulations compel food companies to go for sustainable packaging options. Canned food, produced from recyclable steel and aluminum, supports the circular economy model, generating less waste and environmental footprint. Most companies are moving towards BPA-free and environmentally friendly coatings, making canned food packaging more sustainable. Customers are also increasingly aware of their buying habits, opting for brands that focus on sustainable materials and recyclability. This trend will drive the European food cans market growth faster. March 2024, Parliament and Council came to an agreement on new rules to make packaging more sustainable in the EU. The measures concentrate on making all packaging recyclable, reducing harmful substances, unnecessary packaging, adding recycled content, and streamlining collection and recycling.

Increase in Processed and Packaged Food Consumption

Europe has witnessed a consistent rise in the consumption of processed and packaged foods, aided by urbanization and shifting consumer behavior. Canned foods help to preserve perishable goods like vegetables, meat, and fish in their nutritional form. Growth in pet food, baby food, and ready meals has also helped augment market growth. With consumers looking for inexpensive, secure, and easy-to-store foods, the popularity of food cans increases throughout the region. In September 2022, THIS, a British alternative meat firm, introduced three new plant-based ready meals into Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket group. This Isn't Pork Meatballs & Spaghetti, This Isn't Chicken Thai Green Curry, and This Isn't Pork Sausages & Mash are just some of the meals they sell. The foods can be reheated in just four minutes and are low in fat and rich in protein.

Challenges in the Europe Food Cans Market

Issues Over BPA and Toxic Coatings

In spite of advances in BPA-free coatings, the issue of toxic chemicals in canned food packaging is still daunting. Some consumers are concerned with the health risks posed by can linings and their purchasing behaviors are influenced accordingly. Regulatory bodies impose more stringent safety standards and mandate manufacturers to change packaging material formulations to be in compliance. The change costs more to produce, and hence, it is a major issue for industry stakeholders.

Competition from Alternative Packaging Solutions

The increasing demand for flexible pouches, glass jars, and paper packaging is threatening the food cans market. Brands are switching to lightweight, resealable, and biodegradable packaging solutions to attract environmentally aware consumers. Furthermore, technological innovations in food preservation technologies enable companies to provide longer shelf life without the use of metal cans, adding to the competition in the market.

Europe Aluminum Cans Food Market

There is a large application of aluminum cans in the European food market due to their light weight, corrosion resistance, and recyclability. It is mainly used to package soups, vegetables, seafood, and ready meals, providing product longevity and freshness. Due to the boom in the use of sustainable packaging practices, most manufacturers emphasize 100% recyclable aluminum cans that minimize environmental impact and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Europe Steel Cans Food Market

Steel cans are used for canned pet food, vegetables, and meat because they are highly durable and strong. The cans offer very good barrier protection from light and oxygen, giving the perishable items a long shelf life. The market for steel-based food cans is expanding as manufacturers make inroads with lightweight steel cans and BPA-free linings, which are more sustainable and safer for consumers.

Europe Ready Meals Food Cans Market

The need for convenient ready-to-eat canned foods has increased as a result of shifting eating patterns and hectic lifestyles. Consumers opt for easy meal solutions that take little preparation. Canned curries, pasta meals, and soups are gaining popularity in stores and on the internet, propelling the growth of the ready meals food cans market.

Europe Vegetables Food Cans Market

Canned vegetables are convenient, economical, and available throughout the year, hence a household name in Europe. The market for organic and preservative-free canned vegetables is on the rise as consumers opt for healthier choices. Companies are responding by launching low-sodium and BPA-free vegetable cans to meet the demands of health-aware consumers.

Europe Pet Food Cans Market

Pet food in cans is a strong segment in the European food cans market, boosted by the rise in pet owners looking for good quality nutrition. Canned pet food has better moisture content and preservation compared to dry foods and is favored by pet owners. Companies are putting money into top-quality, grain-free, natural canned pet foods to address changing consumer needs.

France Food Cans Market

France's food can market is showing strong growth driven mainly by increasing enthusiasm for a wide range of canned goods, including vegetables, seafood, and easy-to-consume ready meals. This increasing demand is supplemented by the country's high level of dedication to green packaging policies and the rising popularity of BPA-free cans, which are revolutionizing industry norms. To accommodate the cosmopolitan French consumers' varied tastes, companies are pursuing innovative creativity, launching a variety of organic and premium canned food products that cater to the discerning palate, taking canned foods from utilitarian status to gastronomic delights. March 2022, Gopuff has officially entered France, reinforcing its presence in Europe. The platform now provides rapid delivery of high-quality products and daily necessities to millions of consumers in Paris, the bulk of Île-de-France, and areas of Marseille, Lille, and Toulouse, with future expansion planned around the country.

Germany Food Cans Market

Germany has the second-largest food can market in Europe, stimulated by a strong demand for an abundance of canned products such as tasty meats, healthy vegetables, and convenient pet foods. The country's strict recycling laws are an important influence on the industry, pushing manufacturers to think creatively and develop more sustainable, reusable food cans. This dedication to sustainability not only amplifies the products' appeal but also plays a crucial role in the continued growth of the market, as consumers begin to place increasing emphasis on ecologically conscious choices within their purchases. August 2023, Crown Holdings acquired Helvetia Packaging AG, a beer can and end manufacturing plant in Saarlouis, Germany, to extend Crown's European beverage can platform into Germany with nearly one billion units of annual can capacity.

United Kingdom Food Cans Market

The UK market is witnessing a significant increase in demand for convenient foods, alongside an increasing focus on sustainable package solutions. In this changing world, British shoppers are increasingly opting for healthy foods, looking for organic and additive-free canned food products that meet their wellness goals. This consumer trend is not only revolutionizing the way people shop but also igniting creative innovation in the food can industry, as companies aim to address the demand for healthy and sustainable meal solutions. January 2024, NOMOQ, the manufacturer of digitally printed cans in Europe, has introduced blank aluminium cans for UK brands. It enables customers to blend label productions with digitally decorated cans, all of which are supplied by NOMOQ through a single transportation system.

Spain Food Cans Market

Spain has a rich gastronomic tradition, better illustrated by its lively culture of canned fish, olives, and vegetables. This booming market for food cans highlights the nation's dedication to keeping its signature ingredients fresh and flavorful. As consumers look more and more for premium-quality and organic products, companies are shifting towards green practices and creative solutions to keep their competitive edge. The market for food cans in Europe is set to witness tremendous growth driven by a rising need for convenience, increased concern for sustainability, and changing consumer tastes and preferences, which are constantly looking for healthy and convenient dining options.

Europe Food Cans Market Segments

Product

1. Aluminum
2. Steel

Application

1. Ready Meals
2. Meat
3. Vegetables
4. Fish
5. Fruits
6. Powder Products
7. Pet Food
8. Others

Countries

1. France
2. Germany
3. Italy
4. Spain
5. United Kingdom
6. Belgium
7. Netherlands
8. Russia
9. Poland
10. Greece
11. Norway
12. Romania
13. Portugal

All the Key players have been covered from 4 Viewpoints:

• Overview
• Key Persons
• Recent Development
• Revenue

Company Analysis

1. Ardagh Group
2. Ball Corporation
3. Can-Pack S.A.

4. CPMC Holdings Limited
5. Crown Holdings Inc.

6. Nestlé S.A.

7. Zwanenberg Food Group
8. Silgan Holdings Inc.

9. Lucky Star Ltd. (Glenryck)

10. Sarten Romania SRL