Poultry Packaging Demand Benefits from Proliferation of Convenience-Oriented Products

US demand for poultry packaging will be bolstered by a steady outlook for consumption of poultry products and trends favoring convenience. The fastest gains will be seen in the flexible packaging segment as transitions from rigid to flexible packaging in the fresh and processed poultry markets are expected to continue. However, rigid formats will continue to dominate in the shipment of poultry products from processors to stores and foodservice providers and in the packaging of fresh poultry products for retail sale.

Trends Favoring Convenience Will Bolster Advances for Packaging Products

Consumer preference for easy meal preparation and healthy alternatives to processed foods will help to propel gains for poultry packaging overall as most convenience-oriented products use high performance packaging products. In the fresh poultry market, increased use of individual portion packaging has spurred demand for vacuum pouches while in the processed and ready-to-eat poultry market stand-up pouches and plastic containers are seeing greater use as these products facilitate on-the-go consumption.

Trays Remain Dominant in Case-Ready Landscape

Despite incursion from all-film packaging such as pouches and chubs, the tray and overwrap packaging format is still the most widely used in the packaging of fresh poultry for retail sale. The use of foam trays is still the standard in this sector with many users continuing to use low-barrier films to present a traditional appearance and keep costs relatively low while maintaining product integrity and safety. There has been increased use of product labeling, however, due to the increased importance of ethical claims in this sector.

Markets That Key in on Healthy Eating and Convenience Trends see Best Opportunities

The fastest growing market for poultry packaging will be the small ready-to-eat poultry market. This market is well positioned to capitalize on trends favoring convenience as consumers use rotisserie chicken or other fresh prepared items to shorten or eliminate meal preparation time while still eating foods perceived to be healthy.

The processed poultry market will also post good gains based on the fact that many of the products in the sector are marketed as healthy alternatives to meat-based products. Increased concern about the effects of red meat on a person’s health have spurred advanced for products such as turkey bacon and sausage that can be formulated to have a similar flavor but with a much lower fat content. Although fresh chicken and turkey products remain popular, opportunities will be stifled by market maturity, the convenience of processed alternatives, and the fact that fresh red meat has become less expensive.

Study Coverage

This study presents historical demand data (2006, 2011 and 2016) and forecasts (2021) by product (corrugated boxes, trays, folding cartons, cans, paperboard sleeves, plastic containers, blister packs, foil containers, glass jars, plastic film, bags, pouches, paper and foil wrap, labels, absorbent pads, oxygen scavengers, tape, tags, and netting), market (fresh & frozen, processed, and ready-to-eat), and application (chicken, turkey, other poultry). The study also discusses technologies used in poultry packaging (MAP, vacuum packaging, case-ready packaging, retort packaging, interactive labels, TTIs, susceptors, and moisture control packaging) and evaluates company market share and competitive analysis on industry competitors including Bemis, Berry Plastics, Georgia-Pacific, Graphic Packaging, International Paper, NOVIPAX, Packaging Corporation of America, Pactiv, Sealed Air, Viscofan Group, and WestRock.

Published:  March 2017

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Number of Pages:  196

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The Freedonia Group, Inc. is a leading international industry market research company that provides information and analysis needed to make informed strategic decisions for your business. Freedonia’s industry market research on Packaging covers a broad range of packaging materials (e.g., paper, plastic, metal) and applications (e.g., protective packaging, food containers). In each case various factors affecting demand are considered such as renewability, life style, distribution, end use product demand and other related issues. All studies include market size, forecasts, product and market segmentations, related economic indicator and regulatory analysis, market share estimates, a discussion of industry structure, and profiles of the leading companies.