Global market for poultry, seafood, meat packaging forecast to reach US$31.4B by 2017, driven by advancing production technology, packaging improvements, shift to case-ready packaging, other factors, report finds

Kendall Sinclair

SAN JOSE, California , October 10, 2011 (press release) – Global Muscle Food Packaging (Poultry, Seafood, and Meat) Market to Reach US$31.4 Billion by 2017, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Muscle Food Packaging (Poultry, Seafood, and Meat) markets. The global market for Muscle Food Packaging (Poultry, Seafood, and Meat) is forecast to reach US$31.4 billion by the year 2017. Major factors driving market growth include advancement in production technologies, improvement in packaging practices, increase in the range of processed and packed products, availability of products in convenient and smaller sizes, and a shift towards case-ready packaging. Other factors, including increasing popularity of convenient foods, growing demand for ethnic foods, and rising use of microwaveable products are also fuelling market growth.

Packaging plays a relatively more crucial role in the packaging of muscle foods, including poultry, seafood, and meat, when compared to its application in other products. This is mainly because the raw muscle products deteriorate faster and possess a higher potential for contamination compared to other products. Muscle food packaging plays a very important role in preserving the quality of meat, poultry, and seafood that is packed within. Globally, continued growth in the demand for processed, packed, and convenient, ready-to-eat products has led to the availability of different kinds of specialized packaging profiles, which differ based on the storage requirements and processing techniques of different meat, poultry, and seafood products. The muscle food packaging industry endeavors to address the demand for packaging materials that are more attractive, and provide better shelf life. Innovations in muscle food packaging help in minimizing spoilage, extend shipping radius, and ensure the availability of safe products to consumers. Moreover, the development of packaging with easy opening and resealing capabilities is likely to trigger higher market demand for these products. In addition to these factors, consumer demand for environment friendly packaging and advancements in the production of biopolymers are together propelling new research and development in the field of muscle food packaging.

The US represents the largest regional market for Muscle Food Packaging (Poultry, Seafood, and Meat) worldwide, as stated by the new market research report on Muscle Food Packaging (Poultry, Seafood, and Meat). Europe trails behind the US, while growth in the market would be led by emerging markets such as Asia-Pacific, which is projected to be the fastest growing regional market during the analysis period 2009-2017. The Asia-Pacific market for muscle food packaging is forecast to post a compounded annual growth rate of 10% during the analysis period. Burgeoning industrialization and urbanization in developing markets, such as China, has led to the increase in disposable income, and eventually the consumption of protein foods, including meat products.

In terms of different packaging type, Rigid Packaging represents the largest segment, while flexible packaging is the fastest growing segment in the global muscle foods packaging market. While rigid packaging continues to currently reign in the global muscle food packaging market, flexible packaging is expected to supersede the domination of rigid packaging in the following years. Several processors of muscle foods are shifting to the use of flexible packaging such as pouches, high barrier films, and bags as they occupy lesser space in landfills, and consume lower energy for production. Towards the end of the analysis period, demand for flexible packaging is expected to outpace rigid packaging, driven by the increasing demand for high-barrier films used in case-ready packaging, as well as the rising use of stand-up pouches, retort pouches, and other pouches that serve as an alternative to traditional carton packaging. The increased usage of retort pouches for processed products in the consumer as well as foodservice markets is expected to result in the high demand for pouches. Pouches represent the fastest growing product type among all flexible packaging product types, as they provide an efficient and cheaper alternative to canning.

Increasing demand for smaller, convenience type foods; growing interest among consumers towards ethnic cuisine; and the healthy pace of new product development are the key growth drivers in the muscle foods packaging market across major markets such as the US as well as in emerging markets. Technological advancements in the field of food packaging, and the increasing use of microwave ovens among consumers are also expected to contribute to the growth in the foreseeable future. In addition, demographic factors such as the growth in the number of people in the older age group, who prefer smaller and single portion packages, and the increasing number of households with adults working outside the home, would also increase the use of packaged products. One of the emerging trends in the packaging market is the development of materials that possess high-barrier properties. Compostable, Biodegradable films that can decompose within few weeks are increasingly being adopted as a replacement of non-degradable plastics. These films are an environment friendly alternative to plastics. Furthermore, research pertaining to the wide availability and adoption of compostable/biodegradable films is being continuously undertaken.

Major players profiled in the report include Amcor Limited, Bemis Company Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, InterFlex Group Inc., International Paper, Klöckner Pentaplast Group, Sealed Air, Rock-Tenn Company, Vector Packaging, Wipak Group, among others.

The research report titled “Muscle Food Packaging (Poultry, Seafood, and Meat): A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of Poultry, Seafood, and Meat Packaging markets, current market trends, key growth drivers, recent product introductions, recent industry activity, and profiles of major/niche global as well as regional market participants. The report provides annual sales estimates and forecasts for the global Muscle Food Packaging (Poultry, Seafood, and Meat) market for the years 2009 through 2017 by the following geographic markets - US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of World. The report also analyzes the market by the following packaging product types – Rigid Packaging and Flexible Packaging. Additionally, the US market for muscle food packaging is further analyzed by the following product categories – Poultry (Fresh and Frozen, Processed, and Ready-to-eat), Seafood (Fresh and Frozen, Processed, and Ready-to-eat), and Meat (Fresh and Frozen, Processed, and Ready-to-eat) segments. Also, a six-year (2003-2008) historic analysis is provided for additional perspective.

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