Italy Fresh Food Packaging Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The fresh food packaging market in Italy is valued around US$2.445 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to increase to US$2.678 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 1.84%.

Fresh foods are products that are not processed or have any added preservatives. They generally include products like dairy, meats, fruits, vegetables, and fish or seafood. The process of food packaging ensures the preparation of food for safe transportation, supply, storing, retailing, and finally delivering to the end user. Various types of materials are used for packaging the food, like low- and high-density polyethylene, aluminum, tin, and cardboard. There are multiple methods available in the market for packaging food, like aspect packaging, where food products, especially liquids, are packed into previously sterilized containers, and cans, where foods like soups and beans are packed into cans made of steel, tin, or aluminum. Other methods of food packaging include trays, bags, boxes, wrappers, and cartons.

In recent years, the fresh food packaging market in Italy has seen tremendous growth, mainly due to the increasing demand for processed and convenience foods. Italy is one of the biggest agriculture producers and food processors in the European Union. In 2022, Italy’s exports to the USA of agriculture products and processed food were about US$ 7.4 billion, while it only imported about US$ 1.13 billion of the same from the USA. Some of the products in the total export of processed food include olive oil (US$ 609.8 million), baked goods, cereals, pasta (US$ 1 billion), wine (US$ 2.5 billion), and dairy products (US$ 509.8 million).

Various factors might increase the market for fresh food packaging in Italy, like an increase in demand for retail food and the introduction of small food processors. The food retail sales in Italy reached US$170.4 billion in 2022, with discounters registering the highest sales growth of about 4.1%, followed by supermarkets, which received an increase of 2.8%. Italy is also among the highest food-consuming countries in the world.

In the fresh food packaging industry in Italy, various startups aimed to make the food packaging landscape eco-friendly and are investing in research and developments to achieve this mission. Around, a green startup launched eco-friendly smart packaging solutions for consumers, ideal for canteens and supermarkets. Similarly, Tomapaint introduces a green-based packaging solution and aims to revolutionize the paper and metal packaging industry in the nation.

Furthermore, in Italy, various small, medium, and large enterprises are working and developing the food processing and packaging sector, like Rotofil SRL, Senzani Brevetti SPA, and Ferplazr SNC. This creates a fierce competition environment among companies and acts as a challenge for the newcomer to match the market.

Market Drivers:

An increase in meat and dairy consumption is anticipated to increase the demand for fresh food packaging in Italy.

In 2021, Italy witnessed an increase of 7.8% in its meat production and a 3.9% increase in its dairy production. With the rise in these products, the need for safe packaging with proper sterilization processes and accessible methods for transporting, storing, and delivering to the consumer also rises. In the case of meat and dairy, the packaging and processing of the products need to be done promptly.

The meats produced in the nation are also being exported to various countries in raw form or the form of semi-cooked products. Such products are required to be packed in a safer and more accessible way for transporting and to avoid contamination.

An increase in agricultural exports also pushes the demand for the packaging industry forward.

Another major driving factor for the fresh food packaging industry is the increase in agricultural and food product exports. In 2022, Italy exported about US$45 billion worth of agri-food products, like olive oil, sauces, pasta, citrus, olives and cereals. Products like olive oil, sauce, and cereals have to be processed, packed, and delivered quickly to maintain their freshness.

Italy is one of the largest olive oil and sauce producers in the globe, which are being exported to various regions, including North America. For the packaging of such products, companies in the packaging industry prepare special glass or tin containers that can be transported easily without causing any spills or damage.

Market Restraints:

A highly competitive landscape creates limited opportunity for the newcomer.

One of the major challenges for the Italian fresh food packaging industry is the presence of a heavily competitive market environment. There are various small, medium, and large enterprises operating in the industry, making the market tough to enter for the newcomer. In addition, the consumer also prefers the brands they have existing experience and trust with.  

Products Offered by Key Companies:

• Tompaint: Tompapaint is a green startup that deals with bio-based paper and metal packaging solutions developed from the raw material of industrial tomato processing.  

Key Developments:

• In December 2023, Senzani introduced its versatile case packer, which fills cases in two modes: wrap-around and tray and lid.

Segmentation:

By Materials Type

• Flexible plastic 
• Rigid plastic 
• Paper and paperboard

By Application

• Poultry & Meat Products
• Dairy Products
• Produce (Vegetables and Fruits)
• Sea Food