U.S. Fresh Produce Packaging Market 2024-2033

Freshness and Shelf Life Are Key to Fresh Produce Packaging. How Will New Technology Benefit Consumers?

This research delves into the US market for packaging of produce, which is defined as fresh, minimally processed fruits and vegetables, including salad mixes and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables for the purpose of this study.

The study covers a variety of products such as retail-ready and other types of corrugated boxes (like regular slotted containers, full telescoping boxes, boxes with display cut-outs, open-top tray-style boxes, fold-over gift boxes, and bulk bins), plastic containers (including clamshells, tubs, cups, bowls, square and rectangular two-piece containers, pails, domed containers, and lidded buckets), bags and bag liners (like plastic mesh, paper, and textile), pouches (pillow, stand-up, and side-seal), trays and platters (made of molded fiber, rigid plastic, expanded polystyrene foam, paperboard, wood, and bamboo), baskets and punnets, and other products (like rigid plastic containers (RPCs), plastic film, foam boxes, wood crates, folding cartons, sleeves, labels, and absorbent pads).

For products packaged in combination-type formats, such as a tray of peppers enclosed in a pillow pouch, the value of each type of packaging is counted separately and included within each respective product segment.

The packaging includes products used by retailers, wholesalers, foodservice establishments, growers, packers and repackers, shippers, and distributors. However, the study excludes canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, packaging for nuts, herbs, seeds, spices, and other items commonly sold in produce departments other than fresh fruits and vegetables, plastic and paper retail bags, plastic bags provided in produce departments for customer self-service, bag closures and separately sold lids, rubber bands and twist ties, restaurant and foodservice carryout containers, including those used for in-store prepared foods, packaging used for canned, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables, pallet wrap, and corrugated displays other than bulk bins.

The study presents historical data (2013, 2018, and 2023) and forecasts for 2028 and 2033 for produce packaging demand in units and current US dollars (including inflation) by product and application. It also presents annual data for 2020-2027. The terms “shipments”, “production”, and “output” are used interchangeably in the study, as are the terms “demand”, “sales”, and “market”, which are defined as domestic shipments, plus imports, minus exports.