As we move into fall when foods fresh from harvest abound, this season really is the perfect time for nature’s candy, produce. And while we still grab the unwrapped pieces from the store or market, we also pick the packaged varieties for easy snacking and on the go meals. Packaging for produce is a growing market. According to a new study from The Freedonia Group (freedoniagroup.com), U.S. demand for produce packaging is forecast to increase 3.3% per year to $5.7 billion in 2017.
And while produce as a whole is growing, fruit applications are expected to see growth outpacing the overall produce packaging average. 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.”