Food Preservatives Market Report 2025

The food preservatives market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $2.94 billion in 2024 to $3.08 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased consumer demand for processed and convenience foods, need for food shelf-life extension and preservation, growth in the food and beverage industry globally, concerns about food safety and spoilage prevention, regulatory approval and safe usage of food preservatives, demand for natural and clean label food preservation solutions.

The food preservatives market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.77 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to adoption of plant-based and naturally derived preservatives, emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable preservative ingredients, research and development in next-generation preservative technologies, demand for preservatives in organic and natural food products, expansion of preservative applications in meat and poultry processing, growing interest in combination preservative systems for enhanced efficacy. Major trends in the forecast period include natural antimicrobial extracts, antioxidant preservatives, plant-derived essential oils, combination preservative systems, emerging technologies like pulsed electric fields (pef), nanotechnology in food preservation.

The rising consumption of ready-to-eat food due to busy lifestyles is anticipated to drive the growth of the food preservatives market in the coming years. Ready-to-eat food incorporates various natural and artificial preservatives to reduce the risk of spoilage from microbial reactions and enhance food quality. The increasing demand for processed or ready-to-eat food is largely attributed to the growing working population that favors convenient options over home-cooked meals. For example, in January 2023, the American Frozen Food Institute, a US-based national trade association, reported that sales of frozen foods increased from $66.5 billion in 2021 to $72.2 billion in 2022. Consequently, the high consumption of ready-to-eat food is fueling the growth of the food preservatives market. Thus, the increasing consumption of ready-to-eat food has driven the growth of the food preservatives market.

The heightened demand for processed foods has supported the growth of the food preservatives market during the historic period. A processed food item is one that has undergone various mechanical or chemical treatments to modify or preserve it. The inclusion of preservatives in processed foods helps maintain quality and reduce spoilage caused by microorganisms. For instance, researchers at Northeastern University’s Network Science Institute, a US-based private research university, developed a database containing over 50,000 food items from Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods Market. This database revealed that 73% of the US food supply is ultra-processed and indicated that ultra-processed foods are 52% cheaper than their less processed counterparts. Additionally, in January 2023, the American Frozen Food Institute, a US-based national trade association, reported that frozen food sales increased from $66.5 billion in 2021 to $72.2 billion in 2022. Therefore, the increased demand for processed foods has driven the growth of the food preservatives market.

The increasing adoption of natural preservatives is an emerging trend in the food preservatives market. Consumers are becoming more aware of the negative effects of preservatives and are opting for natural alternatives such as organic acids, salt, and sugar. Major companies in the food preservatives sector are shifting their focus toward natural preservation solutions to offer a range of clean-label options and strengthen their market position. For example, in November 2022, Prinova Europe, a UK-based ingredient supplier and premix manufacturer, launched PlantGuard AM to meet the rising demand for natural ingredients in food products. PlantGuard AM is a natural antimicrobial preservative that uses plant-based components to inhibit the growth of yeasts, molds, and bacteria in food products. This innovative solution extends shelf life, slows rancidity, and preserves the flavor and color of items. Heat-stable and neutral in taste, it can be effectively utilized across a broad spectrum of food and beverage products, including dairy, meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, cereals, and juices.

Prominent enterprises within the food preservatives domain are actively engaged in pioneering advancements, particularly in the realm of clean-label preservatives. These innovations are geared towards preserving the natural flavors and textures of finished food products. An illustration of this pursuit unfolded in July 2023 when BioVeritas, a U.S.-based ingredients company, introduced a clean-label mould inhibitor. This novel inhibitor was specifically crafted to tackle the persistent challenge of balancing consumer preferences for effective non-petrochemical-based ingredients while ensuring that end-products maintain their intended flavor profiles and textures.

In April 2024, Syensqo, a Belgium-based materials company, acquired Azerys for an undisclosed amount. The purpose of the acquisition is to gain full control of Lock&Lock Co. to enhance management and tackle declining earnings resulting from competitive pressures. Azerys is a South Korea-based natural products company that specializes in extracting high-value elements from endemic plants, particularly using advanced extraction technologies.

Major companies operating in the food preservatives market include Kerry Group, Dupont De Nemours Inc., Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik SE, Cargill Incorporated, Celanese Corporation, Corbion N.V, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Galactic SA, Kemin Industries Inc., Koninklijke DSM NV, Tate & Lyle PLC, Brenntag Solutions Group Inc., Albemarle Corporation, Univar Inc., Danisco A/S, Hawkin Watts Ltd., ABF Ingredients Ltd., Ajinomoto Co Inc., Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG, Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Hansen Holding A/S, Royal DSM NV, Naturex SA, DuPont Company, Brenntag Inc., MAYASAN Food Industries AS, BTSA Biotecnologías Aplicadas SL, Siveele BV, Kalsec Inc.

Food preservatives, whether chemical or naturally derived, play a crucial role in safeguarding food from spoilage and bacterial deterioration. The classification of food preservatives is based on their potential toxicity, with distinctions between toxic and non-toxic variants, and their application occurs at various stages of food processing.

The two primary categories of food preservatives are synthetic and natural. Synthetic preservatives encompass chemical compounds introduced during the food manufacturing process, serving to preserve the nutrients, taste, and visual appeal of food and beverages, including wine. These preservatives fall into functional types such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, chelating agents, and enzyme attackers. Their application extends across diverse food categories, encompassing beverages, oils and fats, bakery products, dairy and frozen items, snacks, meat, poultry, confectionery, and other food segments. The utilization of synthetic preservatives is pivotal in maintaining the quality and integrity of a wide range of food products.

The food preservatives market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides food preservatives market statistics, including food preservatives industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a food preservatives market share, detailed food preservatives market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the food preservatives industry. This food preservatives 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.

North America was the largest region in the food preservatives market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the food preservatives 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 preservatives market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The food preservatives market consists of sales of salt, vinegar, sugar, sorbates, nitrites, and other food preservatives. 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.

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