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May 2025
The global ready-to-eat food packaging market size was estimated at USD 89.53 billion in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 95.17 billion in 2025 to nearly USD 164.92 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.30% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The significant growth of the market is due to the high consumer demand for food products and the emerging need for food preservation and food safety for improved transportation, storage, and distribution.
The ready-to-eat food packaging market is driven by increased efforts to improve the composition, fat, moisture, protein, flavor, etc. of food products that must be ideally safe to use and consume by people of all age groups. Moreover, the changing socioeconomic lives of people and the busy working schedules of working groups have a great impact on the rising need for packaged food products. The rising acceptance of packaged foods such as idli, pav bhaji, dosas, meat products, pasta products, noodles, etc. boosts the expansion of the market on a global level.
Highlights of DS Smith, the Leading Company in Food Packaging for the Year 2023-2024
The packaged food products could appear eye-catching and valuable to customers by maintaining the brand image of the products. The appropriate size, shape, and materials of the packaging allow suppliers to deliver more appealing and easy-to-choose products. The effective branding of the product packaging enables market players to maintain their competitiveness among their competitors. Moreover, the functionality is impacting greatly on food packaging to offer fresh and protected foods to consumers.
The ready-to-eat meals or food products are expensive to get packaged appropriately. Due to the 10% role of packaging in total product cost, the hiring of an experienced supplier is a must who can understand the business needs and can help reduce expenses. At the time of dealing with budgets, it is needed to ensure the choice of those materials that do not affect the quality and functionality of food products.
North America dominates the ready-to-eat food packaging market in 2024.
The region holds a strong market share in the supply of food products including salads, sandwiches, and other types of ready-to-eat meals by considering the food safety and shelf-life of food products. Most packaging companies are consistently innovating enhanced solutions for freshness and safety. The marketing of a wide range of foods, including soups, noodles, fish, meat, ready meals, and cereal-based products drives the successful growth of the North American market. Moreover, the various types of packaging, such as frozen, canned, chilled, and some others, boost the significance of food packaging. The presence of key companies like Nestle SA, McCain Foods Limited, Nomad Foods Limited, General Mills Inc., etc. uplifts the market’s portfolio across the region.
Evaluation of Food Safety by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) is responsible for evaluating food safety and ensuring the impact of chemical exposure to foods in the global market. It also ensures the safety of authorized substances, monitors the food supply for contaminants, and enforces compliance with pesticide tolerance. It also supports research and method development and conducts international scientific activities. The U.S. FDA believes that it is better to identify and mitigate the potential risks of chemicals to ensure the safe, nutritious, and wholesome supply of food products in the U.S. The U.S. FDA is committed to strengthening and updating the existing approaches and processes to evaluate and monitor chemicals in the U.S. food supply.
Asia Pacific expected to witness the fastest rate of growth in the ready-to-eat food packaging market during the predicted timeframe.
Countries like China and India are experiencing significant growth due to rapid urbanization, changing demographics, and customer eating habits. These countries also exhibit the huge industrial development status which attracts prominent market players towards the growth of the market. The leading companies like Nestle SA are prominent players in selling powdered and liquid beverages, petcare, nutrition, health science, prepared dishes, cooking aids, milk products, ice-cream, confectionery, and water.
2024 Financial Performance of Nestle SA in Nutrition, Health, and Wellness
Emerging Demand for Packaged and Ready-to-Eat Food Products in India
With the increasing population, people are dealing with busy working schedules due to working lifestyles. Parents also prefer ready-to-eat snacks, salads, noodles, and healthy energy drinks for their families and children. The government of India is dedicated to implementing various laws and regulations for food safety and food packaging. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) for food products, which has encouraged the use of millets in ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food.
Europe is seen to grow at a notable rate in the ready-to-eat food packaging market in the foreseeable future. The strict food safety regulations and the increased focus on sustainability drive the remarkable growth of Europe. The increased demand for food products having a longer shelf-life and few preservatives among European consumers boosts the demand for innovative packaging solutions. The expansion of online grocery shopping and convenience foods is resulting in large investments in advanced packaging technologies.
Expansion of the Ready-to-Eat Food Packaging Market in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom experiences dynamic growth due to the changing food preferences of consumers and sustainability challenges. The growth of this country is driven by the increased demand for convenient and time-saving products. The popularity of tray, bowl, and resealable pouch formats is also encouraging country-level success in Europe. The high preferences of consumers for healthy and fresh food options boost success. The packaging innovations avoid the use of food additives and preservatives to preserve product freshness and shelf-life. The UK is experiencing several initiatives towards environmentally friendly packaging materials.
The plastics segment dominated the ready-to-eat food packaging market in 2024.
The increased trend of plastic recycling and efforts to reduce plastic use boosts segmental growth in the market. The various government measures to implement a ban on plastic use also drive segmental expansion in the market. The efforts to reduce plastic hazards to the environment and the population's health also accelerate segmental growth in the global market.
The paper and paperboard segment is expected to witness the fastest rate of growth in the ready-to-eat food packaging market during the predicted timeframe.
They are advantageous in achieving sustainable sourcing, recyclability, biodegradability, and carbon footprint. They allow the use of sustainable practices to improve energy efficiency, use recycled fibers, and invest in renewable energy sources. The paper and paperboard suppliers are enabled to explore innovative technologies like carbon capture and storage to meet environmental sustainability.
The rigid packaging segment dominated the ready-to-eat food packaging market in 2024.
The presence of the leading international sustainable packaging companies with innovative packaging solutions made from recyclable and recycled materials drives the growth of the rigid packaging segment in the market. People are getting innovative and fully fibre-based corrugated products across Europe and North America. The emerging trend of e-commerce, transit, promotional packaging, and promotion is expanding the rigid packaging areas of the market.
The flexible packaging segment is observed to be the fastest-growing in the ready-to-eat food packaging market during the forecast period.
The leading efforts in supply chain optimization and creative design are resulting in the remarkable growth of the flexible packaging segment in the market. The introduction of recycling and waste management services by DS Smith Company strengthens its position across Europe. The leading companies, as the largest cardboard and paper recyclers, contribute to the growth of flexible packaging and the expansive reach of the market.
The boxes and cartons segment dominated the ready-to-eat food packaging market in 2024.
The production of new boxes with 100% recycled paper and durability of transportation increases the expansive reach of boxes and cartons in the market. The sustainable packaging of boxes and cartons helps to increase the product portfolio.
The films and wraps segment expect to grow at the fastest rate in the ready-to-eat food packaging market in the upcoming years.
The benefits of films and wraps include secure and protective wrapping, improved stability, and improved security. Moreover, they are advantageous in terms of delivering versatility, adaptability, optimized storage, and cost-effective solutions.
The ready-to-eat meals segment dominated the ready-to-eat food packaging market in 2024.
The ready-to-eat meals include pav bhaji, idli, dosas, etc. that are highly preferred among the global population in packaged forms. The appropriate packaging offers fresh, nutritious, and attractive products to potential consumers. The snacks and confectionery segment expected to witness the fastest rate of growth in the ready-to-eat food packaging market during the predicted timeframe. Healthy snacks and confectionery deliver nutritional health benefits and regulate blood sugar levels of the human body. They help people to achieve control over their appetite and serve as immunity boosters.
The instant noodles and pasta segment is seen to be a notable growth in the market in 2024.
They are rich in folate, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, micronutrients, and are low-calorie foods which raise their significance. They are convenient, affordable, and good energy sources, which makes them a good choice among potential consumers.
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