Healthy yet busy lifestyles influence produce packaging trends
Study forecasts increase in produce packaging demand
US demand for produce packaging is forecast to increase 3.3% per year to $5.7 billion in 2017. Growth will outpace expected expansion in fresh produce production, reflecting the important role of packaging in the protection, safety assurance, and marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables. Also driving gains will be the increasing presence of fresh-cut, ready-to-eat produce. These and other trends are presented in Produce Packaging, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc. (freedoniagroup.com), a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.
Fruit applications are expected to see growth outpacing the overall produce packaging average through 2017. According to analyst Esther Palevsky, this growth will be “supported by population growth, trends toward healthier eating, and the increased availability of ready-to-eat fruit marketed for convenience and as a healthy snack option.” Palevsky continues, “these applications necessitate usage of modified atmosphere packaging for freshness protection.” Gains for vegetable applications are expected to slightly trail the average, though advances will be assisted by improved output and ongoing new product introductions of fresh-cut vegetables in nontraditional categories. Salad uses will be constrained by market saturation and price sensitivity among many consumers.