2 trillion food packaging sold by 2016

IN 2014, companies sold up to 1.9 trillion food packaging units worldwide, recording a growth of 3%, according to Euromonitor International. By 2016, the number goes up to 2 trillion.

Among food packaging types, the stand-up pouch is the least used plastic pack, but in 2014 it was one of the fastest growing categories, noted the market research firm. Last year, Kellogg’s released breakfast cereal in a recloseable stand-up pouch in France and Heinz packaged its ready meals in pouches with transparent window for the German market. Green Giant’s sweetcorn also comes in pouches for easy heating.

As the stand-up pouch becomes part of many companies’ packaging portfolio, the category is estimated to increase at a 6% average yearly growth through 2014-2019.

“The stand-up pouch is one of the success stories from this year’s packaging research data,” said Rosemarie Downey, head of Packaging Research at Euromonitor. “The pouch  is gaining a stronger presence, being used as a microwaveable pack solution in ready meals, rice and pasta, a share pack in biscuits, confectionery and sweet and savoury snacks and a single-serve pack consumed directly from the pouch in ice cream, yoghurt and baby food. The stand-up pouch ticks all the boxes.”

As to markets, China and India will contribute 58% of all food packaging growth in 2015. The Asia-Pacific region alone recorded 5% growth in 2014, or 320 billion additional packs.

“China and India are the indomitable powerhouses in the global food packaging industry,” said Ms Downey. “Rising levels of urbanisation and disposable incomes combined with a continuing shift in buying habits from unpackaged to packaged, makes these important countries for development.”

Click here for Euromonitor’s packaging research.