Food Colors Global Market Report 2024

Food colors refer to chemical and natural additives, dyes, pigments, or substances that impart color when introduced into food or beverages. These colorants, commonly known as food coloring or dye, find frequent application in processed foods, beverages, and condiments to either maintain or enhance the visual appeal of the products.

The primary categories of food colors include natural colors, synthetic colors, and nature-identical colors. Natural colors are obtained from sources such as vegetables, fruits, plants, minerals, and other natural substances through physical or chemical extraction methods. They are available in various forms, including liquid, powder, and gel, and are utilized across a range of food categories such as dairy products, meat products, beverages, bakery and confectionery items, processed foods and vegetables, as well as oils and fats.

The food colors market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides food colors market statistics, including food colors industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a food colors market share, detailed food colors market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the food colors industry. This food colors market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The food colors market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.45 billion in 2023 to $3.73 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth observed in the historic period can be attributed to several factors. These include an increased demand for processed and convenience foods, a growing awareness of food presentation and aesthetics among consumers, the global expansion of the food and beverage industry, a heightened need for product differentiation and branding in the food sector, regulatory approvals ensuring the safe usage of food colors, and a rising demand for natural and clean label food coloring solutions.

The food colors market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.1 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to several key factors. These include the adoption of exotic and unique varieties of food colors, a heightened emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable food coloring ingredients, ongoing research and development in plant-based and botanical food colors, increased demand for food colors in nutraceutical and dietary supplement applications, the expansion of food colors in the confectionery and baking industries, and a growing interest in customized and specialty food coloring solutions. Prominent trends expected in the forecast period include the utilization of anthocyanins and superfood colors, the incorporation of coloring foods and concentrated extracts, the application of microencapsulation for sensitive colors, the trend towards personalization and custom blends, and the development of emulsion-based coloring systems. These trends collectively contribute to the evolution and diversification of food coloring practices in the upcoming forecast period.

Anticipated growth in the food colors market is attributed to the increasing demand emanating from the food and beverage industry. This sector encompasses entities involved in the production, packaging, and distribution of raw food materials, spanning both fresh and processed foods, alongside alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Food colors serve to retain the original color and texture of these consumables, which might otherwise diminish during cooking and preparation due to various chemical and physical processes. For instance, a report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in March 2022 revealed that approximately 14.7 million tons of food and non-alcoholic beverages were sold across various retail outlets in Australia during the 2020-2021 period, marking a 1.4% increase from the preceding year. Hence, the surging demand from the food and beverage sector significantly propels the expansion of the food colors market.

The burgeoning preference for clean label products is poised to be a key driver of growth in the food colors market. Clean label goods are devoid of additives, artificial flavor enhancers, dyes, or synthetic preservatives. Furthermore, numerous foodservice and retail grocery chains are stipulating lists of prohibited ingredients for items sold in their stores or served in restaurants. Notably, within the meat alternatives segment, consumer interest in clean label products surged by 86% in 2021, as reported by Spoonshot, a US-based food and beverage intelligence company. This escalating demand for clean label offerings is expected to propel the expansion of the food colors market.

The food colors market is being shaped by heightened investments in technological advancements. Major companies operating within this sector are focused on directing investments into food coloring technology to cater to evolving consumer demands. For instance, in October 2022, International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) inaugurated a new Singapore Innovation Centre, marking the first in its global network of research, creative, and application centers. This center integrates technologies, capabilities, and expertise from all four business divisions - nourish, health & biosciences, scent, and pharma solutions - underscoring the industry's commitment to technological advancements within the food colors market.

Prominent players within the food colors market are placing significant emphasis on the development and advancement of natural colors for food products, aiming to broaden their product portfolios. Natural food colors are sourced from elements such as fruits, vegetables, and minerals. For instance, in March 2022, Phytolon, an Israeli biotechnology firm specializing in natural food colors, collaborated with Ginkgo Bioworks, a US-based biotech company, to elevate its biological production methods. Phytolon is transitioning its production of natural food colors from traditional sources like fruits, vegetables, and plants to precision fermentation, marking a significant shift in their sourcing approach.

In December 2021, Oterra A/S, a Denmark-based manufacturer and supplier of food colors, undertook the acquisition of Diana Food SAS for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move by Oterra A/S is aimed at offering USDA and EU organic-certified colors for diverse applications while fortifying its standing in the market. Diana Food SAS, headquartered in France, specializes in providing natural food colors, aligning with Oterra A/S's vision to enhance its product range and market presence through organic-certified color solutions.

Major companies operating in the food colors market include Chr Hansen Holding A/S, D.D. Williamson & Co Inc., Kalsec Inc., Döhler GmbH, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., Koninklijke DSM NV, Sensient Technologies Corporation, The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, LycoRed Ltd., AromataGroup SRL, Givaudan SA, Naturex Ltd., Mane Kancor Ingredients Private Ltd., FMC Corporation, Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik SE, Frutarom Industries Ltd., GNT Group BV, San-Ei Gen., De Nederlandse Staatsmijnen, Roha Dyechem Pvt Ltd., Kolor Jet Chemical Pvt Ltd., Vidhi Specialty Food Ingredients Ltd., Alliance Organics LLP, Vinayak Ingredients India Pvt Ltd., Neelikon Food Dyes and Chemicals Ltd., Aarkay Food Products Ltd., SensoryEffects Flavor Company, Kolorjet Chemicals Pvt Ltd., Aakash Chemicals & Dyestuffs Inc., Natural Food Colors Inc., Ingredion Incorporated

North America was the largest region in the food colors market in 2023. The regions covered in the food colors market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the food colors market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The food colors market consists of sales of synthetic colors, natural colors, and nature-identical colors. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.