Meat Packaging - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Meat Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 11.78 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 13.87 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.32% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The meat packaging market is expected to reach a CAGR of 4.37% over the forecast period. With the growing demand for meat products, the need for quality and attractive meat packaging is rising. Packaging can help maintain the quality of meat and delay the onset of spoilage by controlling the factors contributing to it.

Key Highlights

• Like many other industry areas, meat packaging innovation has been under high pressure to achieve hygiene and quality control while reducing emissions and material use. These demands are further compounded by rising raw material prices, cost inflation, and supply chain issues that have cascaded over the past three years.
• One of the crucial factors in meat packaging is the type of meat being packaged. Large pork and beef packing plants use vacuum packaging to preserve meat. Vacuum packaging removes oxygen within the package, which helps to maintain the meat within the packaging. Grocery stores mostly use stretchable plastic meat film and a bottom foam tray.
• According to the OECD and FAO, the per capita meat consumption worldwide is projected to increase to 34.9 kilograms by 2024. There is a strong demand for products like packaged meat, mainly because most consumers worldwide prefer the convenience of ready-to-serve foods. For instance, according to the US Department of Agriculture and Economic Research Service, the most consumed type of meat in the United States was broiler chicken, at about 91 pounds per capita. This is expected to increase to 94.3 pounds per capita by 2028.
• During COVID-19, active packaging manufacturers were flooded with challenges like supply chain disruptions, lack of availability of raw materials used in the manufacturing process, labor shortages, fluctuating prices, etc. In addition, international trade disputes, economic inflation, raw material shortages, and the Russo-Ukraine war have steadily raised higher and higher hurdles for packaging producers as they strive to achieve ambitious circular economy targets. The Russo-Ukraine war further resulted in economic sanctions against several countries, a jump in commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions that have impacted many markets worldwide.

Meat Packaging Market Trends

Flexible Plastic Expected to Hold Significant Market Share

• The flexible packaging solutions segment is expected to witness exponential growth during the forecast period owing to increased animal product consumption. Factors such as the increasing world population, rising incomes, and urbanization are strongly and positively related to the consumption of animal products. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that meat consumption may increase to 376 million metric tons by 2030, from 218 million tons from 1997-1999.
• The increasing availability of meat and pork products across widespread and robust retail chains in different countries strengthens the market. With the demand for a longer stable shelf time, the need for retort packaging and thermoformed high-barrier films is on the rise. The livestock sector is growing at an unprecedented rate globally, driven by a combination of population growth, rising incomes, and urbanization.
• Consumers in different countries are inclined toward products containing fish, meat, and vegetables, which are mainly retort-packed to keep them shelf-stable. Moreover, readymade meals have gained increased popularity. The increasing trend of online purchasing has further buoyed them.
• Flexible vinyl films have excellent barrier properties to oil and grease but are oxygen permeable. They have excellent clarity and are puncture-resistant. These properties make flexible PVC films suitable for food packaging to keep meat and other perishable produce fresh. PVC films are an ideal choice to package fresh red meat as they are semi-permeable, meaning they are just enough oxygen permeable to keep meat products fresh and to maintain their bright red color. PVC films are often used when transparency is essential.
• Due to the increasing demand, several market players are establishing collaborations and partnerships to drive better revenues. For instance, in January 2020, Amcor announced its cooperation with Moda vacuum packaging systems in North America and Latin America. This partnership combines Amcor’s shrink bag and roll stock film for meat barrier films and its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films, which include a broad array of PVC meat films used primarily to wrap fresh meats, especially poultry.

Asia-Pacific Expected to Show Significant Growth

• The increasing urban population in Asia-Pacific has been contributing significantly to the growth of the market. The altering patterns in lifestyle, including the reduced amount of time spent on preparing meals, are leading to a shift toward more processed, easily packed, and pre-prepared meat, which is expected to propel the growth of the market studied.
• The high industrial competition from the emerging economies of India, China, and Brazil has urged manufacturers in the United Kingdom to continue to develop their production capabilities with innovation and technology to maintain a competitive edge in the market.
• Countries such as India, China, and others have been observing an increase in meat exports and imports in the last few months, bolstering active packaging growth. According to the World's Top Exports in 2021, by exporting beef worth nearly USD 7 billion, Australia ranked the highest among the Asia-Pacific countries. This was followed by India, with a value of approximately USD 2.8 billion.
• The consumption of meat has been rising since the 1960s due to the increase in the human population, especially over the past few decades.
• During COVID-19, nations worldwide witnessed lockdown restrictions, which led to panic buying. This imposed massive pressure on the companies to adopt flexible packaging solutions. The processed and ready-to-eat meat-producing companies witnessed increased inclination toward pre-packaged food in smaller, consumer-sized packaging.
• The rise in demand for ambient foods, frozen foods, and comfort foods is expected to increase the demand for flexible packaging solutions in the country, owing to its ability to extend the shelf life of such products.
• The rising demand for high-protein food and the development of food technology are significant factors in the growth of the market. The surge in hectic lifestyles and the changing dietary patterns in developed and developing nations is also boosting the industry. However, fluctuating prices of raw materials, the inconsistency of supply, and government regulations are restraining the market.

Meat Packaging Industry Overview

The meat packaging market is marked with intense competition and consists of several major players. Companies in the market are continuously involved in increasing their market presence by introducing new products, expanding their operations, or entering into strategic mergers and acquisitions.

• June 2022: Lidl GB stopped using ocean plastic for fresh meat packaging. The retailer decided to introduce trays containing at least 30% POP for its 400 g and XXL 667 g Deluxe sausage. Through this initiative, Lidl GB expects to prevent an additional 1.7 million water bottles from entering the ocean a year, which is equivalent to more than 40 tons of plastic.
• January 2022: Waddington Europe, a division of Novolex, introduced a new tray for meat, fish, and poultry products that is recyclable and does not require a polyethylene (PE) layer or adhesive coating. According to the company, its new Piranha container is sealed using a series of raised teeth that run around the sealing flange instead of applying a layer of PE or adhesive, which are typically used to seal the lid of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Waddington Europe claims that the raised teeth maintain the seal’s integrity even if the flange becomes contaminated by animal fat.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support

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