Shelf Life Testing Market Report 2025

The shelf life testing market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.56 billion in 2024 to $4.97 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to stringent quality and safety regulations, consumer demand for freshness, globalization of the food supply chain, focus on food waste reduction, expansion of pharmaceutical industry, introduction of biodegradable packaging.

The shelf life testing market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.15 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to consumer awareness of product labeling, focus on nutritional integrity, increasing complexity of food formulations, rising demand for natural preservatives, emergence of personalized nutrition, shift towards plant-based products. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in analytical technologies, technological innovations in preservation methods, packaging innovations, customized testing solutions, collaboration and partnerships.

The shelf-life testing market is poised for growth, driven by the high demand for packaged foods. Packaged foods, which are meticulously covered to safeguard against various risks during transport and storage, are subject to rigorous shelf-life testing. This testing is crucial for assessing the safety and quality of packaged food, ensuring it remains free from physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Notably, in June 2022, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reported a substantial global retail demand increase for packaged foods, with Germany experiencing a remarkable 56% surge in sales. This surge in demand for packaged food is anticipated to be a significant driver for the shelf-life testing market.

The increasing demand for organic food is anticipated to drive the growth of the shelf life testing market in the future. Organic food is defined as produce cultivated and processed without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms, in accordance with stringent organic farming standards. Shelf life testing plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and safety of organic food products by evaluating their durability, freshness, and compliance with organic standards over time. For instance, in December 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture, a federal agency in the US, reported that India produced 2.9 million metric tons of certified edible organic products for the 2022-23 period. Thus, the rising demand for organic food is fueling the growth of the shelf life testing market.

Technological advancements are emerging as a prominent trend in the shelf-life testing market, with major companies incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance shelf-life prediction capabilities. Noteworthy is the approach taken by a Netherlands-based food tech startup, OneThird, which utilizes spectroscopy and AI algorithms for advanced shelf-life prediction. This innovative use of technology allows for more accurate predictions and strengthens the competitive edge of companies operating in the shelf-life testing market.

Key players in the shelf-life testing market are introducing innovative solutions like the ROS 1 Moisture Analyzer to overcome the challenges associated with traditional moisture content measurement methods. The ROS 1 Moisture Analyzer, launched by METER Group in January 2022, represents a groundbreaking advancement in moisture content analysis for the food and pharmaceutical industries. It stands out as the first and only moisture content analyzer that combines the precision of reference methods, the simplicity of an oven, and the speed comparable to a moisture balance. This innovative technology addresses the limitations of existing methods by providing reference method precision without the time-consuming processes associated with drying ovens or the complexity of Karl Fischer Titration. The ROS 1 Moisture Analyzer ensures efficiency, accuracy, and real-time insights, automating tasks and minimizing human error in moisture content measurements for enhanced precision and time savings in food and pharmaceutical production.

In October 2024, Mérieux NutriSciences, a US-based food safety company, acquired Bureau Veritas for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to bolster Mérieux NutriSciences' capabilities in advanced materials and composites, especially in industries such as aerospace and defense, following its acquisition of Kineco Kaman Composites India Private Ltd. Bureau Veritas is a certification company based in France.

Major companies operating in the shelf life testing market are SGS SA, Bureau Veritas, Eurofins Global, Intertek Group PLC, Mérieux NutriSciences Corp., ALS Limited, AsureQuality Limited, RJ Hill Laboratories, SCS Global Services, Agrifood Technology, Symbio Laboratories, Premium Analytical Services, AES Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., EMSL Analytical Inc., Neogen Corporation, Charm Sciences Inc., TÜV NORD GROUP, Medallion Labs, Q Laboratories Inc., Microbac Laboratories Inc., Silliker Inc., Covance Inc., NSF International, Food Safety Net Services, R-Biopharm AG, Romer Labs, 3M Company, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., MilliporeSigma, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.

Europe was the largest region in the shelf life testing market share in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the shelf life testing market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the shelf life testing market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Shelf-life testing involves assessing various food parameters to determine how different factors impact the quality and durability of food products during storage and distribution.

The primary technologies for shelf-life testing consist of equipment and kit-based tools, along with manual testing methods. These testing methodologies encompass a range of devices like spectrometers, alcohol analyzers, refractometers, titrators, and moisture analyzers to evaluate food items. The parameters evaluated in shelf-life testing include microbial contamination, rancidity, nutrient stability, sensory attributes, and other critical factors. These tests comprise real-time assessments and accelerated testing to gauge food longevity. Shelf-life testing is applied across various food categories such as packaged foods, beverages, bakery goods, meat, dairy, processed fruits and vegetables, and more.

The shelf life testing market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides shelf-life testing market statistics, including shelf life testing industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a shelf life testing market share, detailed shelf life testing market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the shelf life testing industry. This shelf life testing 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 shelf life testing market includes revenues earned by entities by testing bacterial contamination, food additives, acidity, and pH value in packed food or beverages using static testing methods. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

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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