Asia Pacific Greenhouse and Mulch Film Market Forecast to 2030 - Regional Analysis - by Product Type, Material and Application

The Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market was valued at US$ 3.63 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 6.49 billion by 2030; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 7.5% from 2022 to 2030.

Growing Demand for Fruits & Vegetables Boosts Asia Pacific Greenhouse and Mulch Film Market

Poor diet is one of the major causes of malnutrition and diseases across the world. Micronutrients and dietary fibers are essential for health, and fruits & vegetables are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. Thus, the demand for food & vegetables is growing with the rising awareness about healthy diets. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommend a minimum consumption of 400 g of fruits & vegetables per person per day. This diet would be beneficial in preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity. It is likely to prevent and alleviate several micronutrient deficiencies.

An inadequate intake of fruits & vegetables is estimated to lead to 14% of the deaths from gastrointestinal cancer worldwide, 11% of those from ischemic heart disease, and 9% of those caused by stroke. In 2021, the United Nations (UN) announced the International Year of Fruits & Vegetables. The United Nations General Assembly aims to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of fruits & vegetables and their contribution to a balanced and healthy diet and improved lifestyle. Many countries and international organizations have implemented various action plans to increase the production and consumption of fruits & vegetables and make them more economically accessible to consumers.

Countries such as China and India are among the largest producers of fruits & vegetables. According to the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), during 2022-2023, India exported fresh fruits & vegetables worth US$ 1.63 billion, comprising fruits worth US$ 770.70 million and vegetables worth US$ 865.24 million.

As consumers globally become more health-conscious and prioritize diverse and nutritious diets, there has been a surge in demand for fresh produce. Fruits & vegetables are essential components of a balanced diet, contributing to overall well-being. Farmers are turning to greenhouse cultivation and mulch films to meet this rising demand and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality produce.

Greenhouse films play a crucial role in this scenario by creating a controlled environment that extends the growing season and protects crops from adverse weather conditions. These films allow farmers to cultivate fruits & vegetables outside their typical growing seasons, enabling a more continuous and reliable supply. By providing a shield against extreme temperatures, frost, and excessive rainfall, greenhouses help maintain optimal conditions for the growth of a variety of crops, ensuring a steady and abundant harvest.

Mulch films also contribute significantly to meeting the demand for fruits & vegetables. In open-field cultivation, mulch films are employed to suppress weed growth, conserve soil moisture, and regulate soil temperature. Weeds compete with crops for nutrients and water, and their control becomes crucial in maximizing the yield and quality of fruits & vegetables. Mulch films help create a favorable microenvironment by reducing water evaporation, preventing soil erosion, and enhancing soil structure. These factors collectively contribute to healthier plants and improved yields, meeting the increasing consumer demand for a diverse range of fresh and high-quality produce.

Thus, the growing consumer preference for fruits & vegetables, coupled with the desire for year-round availability and sustainability, has led to an increased adoption of greenhouse and mulch films. These technologies empower farmers to overcome seasonal limitations, protect crops from environmental challenges, and enhance overall crop productivity. The synergy between demand for fresh produce and the adoption of advanced agricultural practices, such as greenhouse and mulch films, reflects a dynamic response to evolving consumer preferences and global food needs. Thus, growing fruit & vegetable production across the globe and the need to reduce water usage are further driving demand for greenhouse and mulch films.

Asia Pacific Greenhouse and Mulch Film Market Overview

The Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market is prominent due to growing awareness among farmers and mounting food demand due to increasing population and government subsidies. An increase in the demand for excellent agricultural products and organic produce is increasing the need for high productivity and yield in Asia Pacific, especially in China, Japan, and India.

Considering their competitive and increasing agriculture sector, these Asian countries have a high product consumption rate. According to the Asian Development Bank, rising incomes and urbanization are increasing food consumption. Daily energy consumption per capita in the region is anticipated to increase from 2,612 kilocalories in 2012 to 2,844 by 2030.

As urban areas expand, the available arable land diminishes, prompting the need for innovative farming methods. Hence, greenhouse films become essential, allowing farmers to maximize limited space by creating controlled environments for crop cultivation. These films enable year-round production and protect crops from adverse weather conditions, aligning with the urban population's demand for consistent and diverse food sources. Simultaneously, the burgeoning food consumption in Asia Pacific amplifies the significance of efficient agricultural practices. Mulch films play a pivotal role by conserving soil moisture, suppressing weed growth, and regulating soil temperature-all factors crucial for sustaining high agricultural productivity.

As urban populations increasingly rely on a stable and diverse food supply, the adoption of greenhouse and mulch films becomes instrumental in meeting these demands. Further, the growing fruits & vegetables industry has increased the demand for greenhouse and mulch film in Asia Pacific. India, China, Japan, and other countries in the region are among the top fruit & and vegetable-producing countries. According to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, in 2021, India registered as the second-largest producer of horticulture after China, producing ~12% of the global fruit and vegetable production. As consumers worldwide emphasize healthier dietary choices, there has been a notable surge in the production of fresh and diverse produce.

Greenhouse films contribute significantly to this trend by providing a controlled environment conducive to year-round cultivation. This technology enables farmers to extend growing seasons, protect crops from extreme weather conditions, and optimize factors such as temperature and humidity, leading to higher yields of fruits and vegetables. Mulch films complement the greenhouse effect by addressing key challenges in open-field agriculture. As the cultivation of fruits and vegetables expands, the need for efficient weed control, moisture retention, and soil temperature management also increases.

Mulch films offer a protective layer that reduces weed competition, conserves soil moisture, and maintains temperature, creating an optimal environment for plant growth. This is particularly crucial for crops with specific temperature and moisture requirements, further emphasizing the role of these films in supporting the thriving production of fruits and vegetables. This increased production of fruits and vegetables is bolstering the demand for greenhouse and mulch films in the region.

Asia Pacific Greenhouse and Mulch Film Market Segmentation

The Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market is categorized into product type, material, application, and country.

• Based on product type, the Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market is bifurcated greenhouse film and mulch film. The mulch film segment held a larger market share in 2022.
• In terms of material, the Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market is categorized into LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE, EVA, PHA, PVC, PC, and others. The LLDPE segment held the largest market share in 2022.
• By application, the Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market is segmented into vegetable farming, horticulture, floriculture, and others. The vegetable farming segment held the largest market share in 2022.
• By country, the Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market is segmented into Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the Rest of Asia Pacific. China dominated the Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market share in 2022.

AA Politiv (1999) Ltd, BASF SE, Berry Global Group Inc, Dow Inc, Ginegar Plastic Products Ltd, and RKW SE are some of the leading companies operating in the Asia Pacific greenhouse and mulch film market.