US Demand for meat, poultry & seafood packaging to approach $11 billion in 2019
Demand for meat, poultry and seafood packaging is projected to increase 3.8% annually to $10.9 billion in 2019. Advances will be driven by population gains, increased meat, poultry and seafood production, growth in the foodservice sector, and export opportunities. In addition, demand will be supported by continued solid prospects for prepared foods, items in smaller and more convenient sizes, and packaging formats that make food preparation easier and faster. These and other trends are presented in Meat, Poultry & Seafood Packaging, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc. (freedoniagroup.com), a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.
Flexible packaging demand growth will outpace that of rigid packaging, reflecting performance and sustainability advantages, which will promote above average increases for pouches and high barrier films. Vacuum pouches will see expanded usage with fresh, frozen, and processed items, while stand-up pouches will make further inroads into folding carton applications based on advantages including large billboard space, light weight, and reduced material use. According to analyst Esther Palevsky, “The prevalence of case-ready meats, which use modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vacuum packaging, will drive gains for barrier films.”