Market Trends of Meat Packaging Industry
Flexible Plastic Expected to Hold Significant Market Share
- The flexible packaging solutions segment is expected to witness exponential growth during the forecast period owing to increased animal product consumption. Factors such as the increasing world population, rising incomes, and urbanization are strongly and positively related to the consumption of animal products. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that meat consumption may increase to 376 million metric tons by 2030, from 218 million tons from 1997-1999.
- The increasing availability of meat and pork products across widespread and robust retail chains in different countries strengthens the market. With the demand for a longer stable shelf time, the need for retort packaging and thermoformed high-barrier films is on the rise. The livestock sector is growing at an unprecedented rate globally, driven by a combination of population growth, rising incomes, and urbanization.
- Consumers in different countries are inclined toward products containing fish, meat, and vegetables, which are mainly retort-packed to keep them shelf-stable. Moreover, readymade meals have gained increased popularity. The increasing trend of online purchasing has further buoyed them.
- Flexible vinyl films have excellent barrier properties to oil and grease but are oxygen permeable. They have excellent clarity and are puncture-resistant. These properties make flexible PVC films suitable for food packaging to keep meat and other perishable produce fresh. PVC films are an ideal choice to package fresh red meat as they are semi-permeable, meaning they are just enough oxygen permeable to keep meat products fresh and to maintain their bright red color. PVC films are often used when transparency is essential.
- Due to the increasing demand, several market players are establishing collaborations and partnerships to drive better revenues. For instance, in January 2020, Amcor announced its cooperation with Moda vacuum packaging systems in North America and Latin America. This partnership combines Amcor’s shrink bag and roll stock film for meat barrier films and its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films, which include a broad array of PVC meat films used primarily to wrap fresh meats, especially poultry.
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Asia-Pacific Expected to Show Significant Growth
- The increasing urban population in Asia-Pacific has been contributing significantly to the growth of the market. The altering patterns in lifestyle, including the reduced amount of time spent on preparing meals, are leading to a shift toward more processed, easily packed, and pre-prepared meat, which is expected to propel the growth of the market studied.
- The high industrial competition from the emerging economies of India, China, and Brazil has urged manufacturers in the United Kingdom to continue to develop their production capabilities with innovation and technology to maintain a competitive edge in the market.
- Countries such as India, China, and others have been observing an increase in meat exports and imports in the last few months, bolstering active packaging growth. According to the World's Top Exports in 2021, by exporting beef worth nearly USD 7 billion, Australia ranked the highest among the Asia-Pacific countries. This was followed by India, with a value of approximately USD 2.8 billion.
- The consumption of meat has been rising since the 1960s due to the increase in the human population, especially over the past few decades.
- During COVID-19, nations worldwide witnessed lockdown restrictions, which led to panic buying. This imposed massive pressure on the companies to adopt flexible packaging solutions. The processed and ready-to-eat meat-producing companies witnessed increased inclination toward pre-packaged food in smaller, consumer-sized packaging.
- The rise in demand for ambient foods, frozen foods, and comfort foods is expected to increase the demand for flexible packaging solutions in the country, owing to its ability to extend the shelf life of such products.
- The rising demand for high-protein food and the development of food technology are significant factors in the growth of the market. The surge in hectic lifestyles and the changing dietary patterns in developed and developing nations is also boosting the industry. However, fluctuating prices of raw materials, the inconsistency of supply, and government regulations are restraining the market.
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