Ethical Food Market Report 2024

The ethical food market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $125.97 billion in 2023 to $136.6 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The expansion observed in the historical period can be credited to a rising environmental awareness, an increasing demand for fairtrade products, and robust economic growth in emerging markets.

The ethical food market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $181.58 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be linked to government initiatives, a rising demand for sustainably packaged food, and increasing investments. Notable trends expected in the forecast period involve an emphasis on sustainable packaging to minimize the reliance on plastics, a focus on mergers and acquisitions to enhance market position, efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the utilization of artificial intelligence to monitor nutrients, water levels, and enhance transparency in supply chains.

The increasing environmental consciousness is anticipated to result in a higher demand for ethical food. Ongoing climate changes and environmental challenges, including carbon emissions, global warming, plastic usage, and food waste, are compelling companies to prioritize sustainable products. Escalating environmental concerns are steering both companies and consumers toward products certified as ethical or sustainable. For instance, in November 2021, as per the International Energy Agency, a France-based intergovernmental organization, global CO2 emissions from energy witnessed a 0.9% increase, equivalent to 321 Mt, in 2022, reaching a new record of over 36.8 Gt. Consequently, the growing impact of food production on the environment and the increasing demand for sustainable food are prompting companies to prioritize sustainable production, expected to drive the demand for the ethical food market in the forecast period.

The rising focus on health concerns is projected to propel the growth of the ethical food market in the future. Health concerns encompass a broad spectrum of issues related to an individual's well-being and the factors influencing it. These concerns play a pivotal role in encouraging ethical food choices that bring benefits to individuals, communities, and the environment. As reported in July 2022 by Food Insight, a US-based non-profit organization, 52% of participants in the Food and Health Survey adhered to a specific diet or eating pattern, up from 39% in 2021. The top choices included clean eating (16%), mindful eating (14%), and calorie counting (13%). Consequently, the increasing emphasis on health concerns is fostering the growth of the ethical food market.

The adoption of sustainable packaging stands out as a prominent trend embraced by ethical food manufacturers and producers. Companies involved in organic food production are intensifying their emphasis on sustainable packaging to diminish plastic usage and promote environmental friendliness. An example is Alter Eco, which employs eco-friendly packaging for its products, using recyclable plastic for outer boxes. In alignment with this trend, packaging companies are innovating sustainable solutions for organic food and other products. Giro Pack, for instance, has introduced compostable welded bags and compostable net-clipped bags crafted from plant-based or organic materials such as pulp from eucalyptus trees or corn starch. Therefore, the focus of ethical food companies on sustainable or green packaging emerges as a significant trend shaping the ethical food market in the upcoming years.

Prominent companies in the ethical food market are directing their efforts towards the development of innovative products to maintain their market standing, including snack medleys. Snack medleys are assortments or combinations of different snacks packaged together. In June 2023, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., a US-based producer of fruit-based beverages, introduced Snack Medley, a delightful blend of dried fruits. Crafted with high-quality ingredients, this product is available in three appealing combinations designed to satisfy diverse palates. It serves as a nutritious and convenient snack option, particularly suitable for families on the go.

In May 2021, Above Food Corp., a plant-based protein company focused on cultivating and distributing natural, nutrient-rich products, finalized a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire Farmer Direct Organic Foods Ltd. This acquisition added a new dimension to Above Food Corp.'s portfolio strategy for their brands, incorporating the ability to deliver distinct brand and private label solutions across various product segments, all with a regenerative organic foundation.

Major companies operating in the ethical food market report are Nestlé S.A., PepsiCo, The Kraft Heinz Company, General Mills, Inc., Danone S.A, United Natural Foods, Inc., Arla Foods, The Hain Celestial Group, Organic Valley, Vyas Bio Life Sciences Private Limited, Krungthep Trading Co., Ltd., Bw Binyuy Holdings (Pty) Ltd., Solitude Global Impex, Nutra Healthcare, Curemax Pharma, STDM Food & Beverages Private Limited, Titan Biotech Ltd., Wuxi Biologics, FOODCHEM, Sun Green Group, Alfa Laval, Shandong Yuxin Soybean Protein Co, Hipp Gmbh & Co Vertrieb KG, Alnatura Produktions- Und Handels Gmbh, Rewe Markt Gmbh, Aldi Einkauf Gmbh & Co Ohg, Royal Forest Company, Grass LLC, Individual Entrepreneur (Ie) Maslov D.V, Nuttys LLC, Foodimport LLC, Siberian Ecological Products LLC, Coca-Cola HBC, Chechenskiye Mineralniye Vody LLC, Barinoff Drinks, Austria Juice, Laurul SA, Amy’s Kitchen, Whole Foods, Impossible Food, Gardein, Ripple Foods, Smartsweets, Fody Food, Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery, Mother Raw, Lufa Farms, Suja Life, Keurig Dr Pepper, Organic Soda Pops, Uncle Matt’s Organic Inc., GURU, Bimbo Group, Illy, Ingredion, Mars Incorporated, Starbucks, RCL Foods Ltd., Astral Foods, Kauai, Ooka, NWK, Natural Herbs And Spices, Daiya Foods Inc., Earth's Own Food Company Inc., Panos Brands Llc, Eden Foods Inc., Freedom Foods Group Ltd., Blue Diamond Growers Inc., Sunopta Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company.

Ethical or sustainable food pertains to food produced through processes and systems that are environmentally friendly, economically efficient, conserve non-renewable natural resources and energy, ensure safety for workers, consumers, and communities, and uphold the needs of future generations. This approach to food production prioritizes the well-being of people (including small farmers, producer co-operatives, and large estates), the environment (with a focus on sustainability), and animals (addressing animal rights and welfare).

The primary categories of ethical food include organic and natural, fairtrade, free-range animal welfare-friendly, environmentally responsible, and sustainably produced options. Organic or natural food refers to products grown without artificial pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides, and it is free from synthetic ingredients or additives. These foods undergo various processing methods, both processed and unprocessed, and are distributed through various channels, including both online and offline platforms.

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

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

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

The ethical food market consists of sales of organic fruits and vegetables, honey, coffee, tea, meat(chicken, pork, lamb, others), sustainable seafood, chocolate, sugar, and other ethical foods. 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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