Disposable Cutlery Global Market Report 2024

The disposable cutlery market has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $6.36 billion in 2023 to $6.68 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0%. The expansion observed in the historical period can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing prevalence of a single-use culture, urbanization, and the adoption of busy lifestyles. The growth is further fueled by the rise of food delivery services, heightened awareness of plastic pollution, and the continuous expansion of the foodservice industry. These dynamics collectively contribute to the increased demand and use of disposable cutlery, reflecting the changing consumer preferences and lifestyle choices during that period.

The disposable cutlery market is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.37 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be linked to several key factors, including a growing preference for sustainable packaging options, the continued growth of e-commerce, increasing demand for customization and branding opportunities, rising public health concerns, and cultural shifts in dining habits. Noteworthy trends expected in the forecast period involve technological advancements in materials, the emergence of biodegradable and compostable materials, the prominence of plant-based plastics, a heightened emphasis on design and aesthetics, and ongoing innovations in material alternatives. These trends collectively indicate a broader movement towards more environmentally friendly and aesthetically appealing solutions in the disposable cutlery market.

The surge in the prevalence of fast-food establishments is anticipated to propel the expansion of the disposable cutlery market in the foreseeable future. Fast-food establishments, where customers can swiftly order, pay for, and collect hot or cold food and beverages for on-site or off-site consumption, find disposable cutlery highly beneficial due to its exceptional hygiene, water conservation, and eco-friendly attributes. For example, as of March 2023, EatPallet, a prominent US-based restaurant chain, reported a total of 197,163 fast-food restaurants in the US in 2022, reflecting an average annual increase of 0.6% over the past five years. Consequently, the growing prevalence of fast-food establishments is a key driver for the disposable cutlery market.

The escalating trend in fast-food consumption is poised to drive the growth of the disposable cutlery market in the coming years. Fast food, characterized by its quick preparation and immediate consumption or takeout, necessitates the use of disposable cutlery to mitigate the risk of disease transmission, contamination, and foodborne illnesses associated with reusable utensils. This serves to uphold hygiene standards while minimizing the need for utensil washing and cleanup. For instance, in August 2023, The Washington Post reported a 5.75% increase in sales for quick-serve restaurants and fast-food establishments in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, sit-down casual and fine-dining chains experienced a mean sales growth of 2.38%. Hence, the upward trajectory in fast-food consumption is a significant catalyst for the disposable cutlery market.

The growing demand from end-users, particularly in online food ordering, is anticipated to drive the expansion of the disposable cutlery market. Online food ordering, facilitated through various apps, involves the delivery of food to customers, and disposable cutlery plays a crucial role in this context due to its convenience, single-use nature, and hygienic attributes. As of February 2023, Square, a US-based payment products and point-of-sale systems company, reported that online food delivery revenue in the US reached $26 billion with 111 million users in 2020 and is projected to further increase to $43 billion by 2025. This surge in demand from end-users, especially in online food ordering, is a key driver for the disposable cutlery market.

Prominent companies in the disposable cutlery market are actively engaged in introducing advanced and sustainable products, such as recyclable and compostable disposable cutlery, to gain a competitive advantage. These innovative products aim to offer customers durable and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic cutlery. For example, in June 2023, Sabert Corp., a US-based manufacturer of innovative food packaging products, launched its patented 'EcoEdge Paper Cutlery' product line. This line includes a sharp fork, spoon, serrated knife, and other items made from FSC-certified renewable resources. The EcoEdge paper cutlery products are designed to withstand various types of foods, including hot, warm, and cold items such as soups, ice cream, and oatmeal. With a smooth finish, natural look, and high strength, these sustainable cutlery goods enhance the dining experience for dine-in, to-go, and food-away-from-home customers.

Major players in the disposable cutlery market are strategically investing in expanding manufacturing capabilities and the supply of sustainable and disposable cutlery products to maintain a competitive edge. These investments play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for disposable tableware products and contribute to overall market growth. For instance, in September 2023, Georgia-Pacific LLC, a US-based manufacturer of packaging and building products, announced a significant investment of approximately $425 million in the Jackson, Tennessee region. This investment aims to build a state-of-the-art Dixie manufacturing facility, increasing the supply of disposable tableware products such as plates and bowls. The expanded manufacturing capacity will enable the company to meet customer requirements and address the rising consumer demand for high-quality, long-lasting paper plates and bowls.

Major companies operating in the disposable cutlery market report are Huhtamaki Oyj, Pactiv LLC, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Dart Container Corporation, D&W Fine Pack, Biopac UK Ltd., Novolex Holdings Inc., Genpak LLC, Vegware Ltd., Gold Plast SpA, Hotpack Group, Dopla SpA, Anchor Packaging Inc., Fast Plast A/S, I.L.P.A. SpA Group, Plastico Limited, Isap Packaging Spa, Dixie Consumer Products LLC, International Tableware UK Ltd., Lancaster Commercial Limited, Apollo Global Management Inc., Fuling Global Inc., Solia Inc., TrueChoicePack corp, Lollicup USA Inc., Swantex A/S, Eco Guardian LLC, Bambu Home LLC, World Centric PBA, GreenGood USA, Bio Futura BV.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the disposable cutlery market in 2023. The regions covered in the disposable cutlery market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the disposable cutlery market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The distribution of disposable cutlery is carried out through diverse sales channels, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, discount stores, and e-retail platforms. These utensils find utility across different end-user segments, such as food service outlets, institutional food services, and online food ordering platforms. The convenience and disposability of these utensils make them a practical choice for various settings where maintaining cleanliness and efficiency is paramount.

The disposable cutlery market research report provides disposable cutlery market statistics, including disposable cutlery industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a disposable cutlery market share, detailed disposable cutlery market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the disposable cutlery industry. This disposable cutlery 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 disposable cutlery market consists of sales of PLA utensils, disposable bamboo utensils, and eco-friendly disposable utensils. 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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