The food packaging and processing market has seen considerable growth due to a variety of factors.
• The market size for food packaging and processing has seen consistent growth over the past few years. It is estimated to expand from $80.04 billion in 2024 to $84.8 billion in 2025, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%.
This upwards trend during the historic period is due to several factors such as amplified consciousness about environmental issues, heightened emphasis on health and wellness, rising consumer knowledge and education, growing demand for clearness in ingredient procurement, and a surge in the need for portion control.
The food packaging and processing market is expected to maintain its strong growth trajectory in upcoming years.
• Projected to witness robust expansion in the upcoming years, the food packaging and processing market is predicted to swell to $108.38 billion by the year 2029, boasting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%.
This anticipated growth can be credited to the expansion of e-commerce, the rise of globalization and trade, the advent of novel packaging materials, the surge in the plant-based food industry, and the proliferation of ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. Looking ahead, the period of forecast is set to be marked by significant trends such as advanced processing methodologies, the incorporation of smart systems, high-pressure processing (HPP), heightened food safety technologies, and smart labeling.
Anticipated growth in the food packaging and processing market is spurred by the rising demand for convenience food. This term refers to items that are quick and easy to prepare or consume, and their popularity is on the rise due to fast-paced lifestyles, the need for speedy meal solutions, and the requirement for time-efficient food preparation in a constantly moving world. Food packaging and processing augment the convenience of these foods by extending their shelf life, maintaining their freshness, and making their preparation easier and faster, thus enhancing the experience of consumers favored ready-to-eat meals. For instance, in March 2024, the Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Limited, a commercial banking company based in Thailand, stated that the local market for Thai-produced ready-to-eat food is predicted to see an annual growth rate of 3.0-4.0% from 2024 to 2026. Also, in 2022, the ready-to-eat food sector reported a total domestic and export sales volume of 482.4 thousand tons, equating to a monetary value of USD 2.0 billion. Thus, the surging demand for convenience food is a powerful driving force for the expansion of the food packaging and processing market.
The food packaging and processingmarket covered in this report is segmented –
1) By Type: Rigid, Semi-Rigid, Flexible
2) By Equipment Type: Filling, Bottling, Case Cartooning, Labeling, Palletizing
3) By Material: Paper And Paper-Based Material, Plastics, Metal, Glass, Other Materials
4) By Application: Bakery And Confectionery Products, Meat And Poultry Products, Dairy Products, Beverages, Other Applications
Subsegments:
1) By Rigid: Plastic Rigid Packaging, Glass Rigid Packaging, Metal Rigid Packaging, Paperboard Rigid Packaging, Containers And Tubs
2) By Semi-Rigid: Blister Packs, Trays, Clamshells, Food Containers, Cup and Lid Systems
3) By Flexible: Flexible Pouches, Wraps And Films, Bags And Sacks, Shrink Sleeves, Stand-Up Pouches
In order to improve sustainability and lessen their environmental impact, major corporations in the food packaging and processing sector are increasingly working on innovative solutions. One such advancement is the development of water-based and plant-sourced coatings, which provide a sustainable option made from natural plant ingredients instead of petroleum-based solvents. For example, Melodea Ltd., an American company specializing in sustainable barrier coatings, introduced MelOx NGen in December 2023. This pioneering product not only enhances the recyclability of plastic food packaging, but also preserves food quality and shelf life by using a plant-based, water-soluble layer. It positions itself as a feasible, eco-friendly substitute for petroleum-based items like Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol copolymers (EVOH) and metallized polyethylene terephthalate (met-PET). MelOx NGen, compatible with a range of plastics, including those with nano structures, delivers outstanding performance without compromising on recyclability.
Major companies operating in the food packaging and processing market are:
• WestRock Company
• Ball Corporation
• Amcor Public Limited Company
• Berry Global Inc.
• Tetra Pak Ltd.
• Mondi Group
• DS Smith plc
• Graphic Packaging Holding Company
• Sonoco Products Company
• Silgan Holdings Inc.
• Sealed Air Corporation
• Huhtamäki Oyj
• Pentair Commercial Ice LLC
• Reynolds Consumer Products Inc.
• Bühler Group
• ProAmpac LLC
• Marel Inc.
• John Bean Technologies Corporation
• Winpak Ltd.
• Emmerson Packaging Ltd.
• PakTech LLC
• Pacmoore Product Inc.
• Chantler Packages Limited
• CuBE Packaging Solutions Inc.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the food packaging and processing market in 2024. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the food packaging and processing market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.