Market Trends of Shelf Stable Packaging Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Shelf Stable Packaging Market according to our research experts:
Aseptic Packaging is the Fastest-growing Packaging Technology
- Food waste is a crucial problem on the global level. Limited infrastructure, such as storage facilities, cold chains, connectivity, etc., results in a vast amount of food waste. The UNEP, FAO, and Project Drawdown estimated that 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted or lost annually (on a global scale), amounting to USD 2.6 trillion and 8-10% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- The shelf life of food can be increased by using aseptic processing and packaging techniques which minimize food loss. Food is kept flavorful and safe using aseptic technology instead of refrigeration or preservatives. When food is packaged, aseptic technology ensures that both the food and the packaging materials are free of harmful bacteria, allowing food to retain more of its color, texture, flavor, and nutritional value.
- The pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the supply chain of the food and beverage industry in addition to its human cost. The supply chain has been hit hardest in the food and beverage sector. Globally, the pandemic also brought about a change in consumer behavior that resulted in high demand for food products with a longer shelf life.
- The food industry responded quickly to this demand, overcoming the challenging market conditions. As a result, the packaging industry reached new heights by integrating shelf stable packaging technologies, primarily aseptic food packaging.
- Food packaging has no longer just a passive role in protecting and marketing a food product. The emphasis on the decrease of the use of preservatives is also a driving factor for the use of aseptic packaging as aseptic food preservation methods enables processed food to be kept for longer period of time without preservatives, as long as they are not opened.
Asia-Pacific Expected to Record Highest CAGR
- Asia-Pacific region is expected to be one of the prominent markets for retort pouches owing to increasing consumer demand for greater convenience in food, beverage, packaging solutions.
- Furthermore, supermarkets and online stores are also increasingly becoming one of the important sources of ready-to-eat foods. They are gaining its space in developing countries, such as India and China, where the majority of the population is relying on the fast distribution channels to obtain ready-to-eat products at their own convenience, which has also been aiding the growth of the market.
- In Asia-Pacific, the market for retort pouch packaging in meat, poultry, and fish products is influenced by enduring qualities like sustainability, transparency, food safety, and reduction in food waste. According to Japan Canners Association, the retort food pouch product with the maximum production volume in Japan in 2021, at around 160 thousand tons, was curry. Sauces for dipping, at 51.58 thousand tons, followed next.
- Storage freezers and warehouses in the supermarket channel occasionally fall short in providing the conditions required to prevent product spoilage, leading to expensive product returns. The market for food and beverages faces challenges with shelf life due to improper handling and storage, a lack of modern facilities, and lengthy transportation times to remote locations in Asia-Pacific.
- Additionally, it can be challenging to satisfy client shelf-life requirements, particularly when there is fierce price competition. The degree to which processors navigate and get past these challenges related to shelf life can greatly influence how successful they are in the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, end-user industries are increasingly using shelf stable packaging solutions to solve these challenges.