Food Preservatives Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, by Type (Natural and Synthetic), Analysis by Function (Antimicrobial and Antioxidants), Analysis by Application (Meat and Poultry, Beverages, Bakery and Confectionery, Sauces and Dressings, Edible Oils, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Food preservatives are important in making foods last longer or taste better. Food preservatives are more often added to foods to control and prevent food deterioration, protecting against spoilage from micro-organisms (bacteria, moulds, and yeast), life-threatening botulism, and other organisms that can cause food poisoning. Foods such as meat, dairy, seafood, and cheese serve as a breeding ground for dangerous micro-organisms. Therefore, it becomes necessary for manufacturers to add preservatives to ensure food safety. According to the National Institutes of Health, around 7.69% of individuals worldwide suffer from foodborne diseases, and 7.5% die yearly. Therefore, several regulatory bodies have been formed to regulate food safety, such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the European Food Safety Authority, and others.

With rising urbanization and employment, consumers eating habits and lifestyles have changed significantly. Consumers nowadays seek food products that are easy to prepare and consume and exhibit longer shelf life. Food preservatives play an important role in extending the shelf-life of foods, especially packed, processed, ready-to-eat, and ready-to-drink products. This propels their demand for processed and packed foods, positively influencing the market growth. However, the growing awareness regarding organic foods free from artificial preservatives and colors has been rising, restraining the market growth of food preservatives.

Impact of COVID-19

The pandemic disrupted the global supply chains, affecting the availability of ingredients and food preservatives. This led to challenges in maintaining consistent food quality and shelf life. Moreover, with lockdowns and travel restrictions, there was a surge in the demand for shelf-stable and long-lasting food products. This increased the need for effective food preservatives in various foods and extended the shelf life. Further, natural and clean-label preservatives demand witnessed significant growth during the pandemic with the rising consumer awareness regarding the negative impact of synthetic food ingredients and preservatives on health.

Segmentation

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Overview of the Food Preservatives Industry


• Demand for Food Preservatives in the Food Sector


• Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Food Preservatives Market

Analysis by Type

Based on type, synthetic preservatives are expected to hold a major share of the global food preservatives market. Synthetic preservatives are widely used as they are economical and easy to formulate. These include sorbates, propionates, benzoates, and others. Benzoates, sorbates, and propionates are often used in combination to improve efficiency. Moreover, propionates are gaining wider acceptance due to their higher permissible limit and applications, propelling the growth of synthetic preservatives.

The natural preservative segment is expected to grow at a CAGR in the forecast period owing to their wider acceptance in processing by relevant regulatory agencies and growing consumer health consciousness. Natural preservatives include rosemary extracts, salt, sugar, edible oil, and others. Due to high demand among health-conscious consumers, key players are introducing natural preservatives to the global market. For instance, in September 2021, Kemin Industries, a global supplier of specialty ingredients, launched Fortium R30 OR, a natural food preservative. The company developed this new food preservative product for flavor and color protection to enhance the shelf life of meats and baked goods.

Analysis by Function

Based on function, the antimicrobial segment is expected to hold a major share of the global market. Benzoates, sulfates, and other compounds are used as antimicrobial preservatives, which are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in the U.S. Antimicrobial preservatives help inhibit micro-organisms' growth, which could lead to the risk of infection or food degradation. Moreover, the growing consumer inclination toward plant-based foods has led manufacturers to launch plant-based antimicrobial preservatives in the market. For instance, in November 2022, Prinova Europe Limited, a global supplier of ingredients and premix manufacturing solutions, launched a plant-based antimicrobial preservative, PlantGuard AM. The new product inhibits the growth of yeasts, molds, and bacteria in food and enables manufacturers to use natural, clean-label solutions to minimize food waste.

Analysis by Application

Based on application, the meat and poultry segment accounted for the major market share since meat is widely consumed worldwide. Meat is prone to decompose soon after the stoppage of blood circulation, thus necessitating its prevention until consumption. Nitrites are mainly used for preserving meat and are responsible for the bright pink to red color. However, over time, stringent laws and regulations have limited the use of such artificial preservatives. Therefore, manufacturers are proactively making efforts to switch out nitrite-based preservatives. For instance, in November 2022, Kemin Industries developed Rubinite GC Dry, a label-friendly ingredient that offers food safety and maintains the taste and color of meat. The new product is a nitrite alternative and is made from plant extracts.

The beverage segment is also expected to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period. Fruit juices form important commodities in the market, providing huge possibilities for new value-added products and meeting consumers' nutrition, convenience, and health demands. Therefore, the use of food preservatives becomes a necessary process to maintain the shelf-life and retain nutrients and vitamins present in beverages.

The bakery and confectionery segment is expected to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period. Such products are usually characterized by their limited shelf-life due to microbiological spoilage, which leads to economic loss and a negative effect on the quality of the products. Thus, there has been an increasing application of preservatives and additives in the bakery sector, fueling the market growth.

REGIONAL FOOD PRESERVATIVES MARKET ANALYSIS

North America is expected to hold a significant share of the global market. Factors such as increased demand for convenience and processed food, longer shelf life, and changing consumer preferences for natural and healthier preservatives are positively influencing market growth. Consumer's preference for clean-label products has also been influencing the choice of food preservatives. Manufacturers sought to replace synthetic additives with natural preservatives or reduce preservative usage altogether. For instance, in August 2021, Conagen Inc., a biotechnology company, launched a natural, clean-label preservative, p-Coumaric Acid (PCA). The new product does not contain artificial ingredients and has an extended shelf life. The product is an alternative to synthetic PCA preservatives.

Europe is expected to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period owing to the rising application of preservatives in various food applications such as processed meat, dairy products, baked goods, and beverages.

Key Market Players

• DuPont


• Akzo Nobel N.V.


• Kemin Industries, Inc.


• Cargill, Incorporated


• Hawkins Watts Limited


• Kerry Group plc.


• Celanese Corporation


• Koninklijke DSM N.V.


• Tate & Lyle PLC


• Conagen Inc

Key Developments

• In January 2022, Florida Food Products (FFP), a creator of vegetable and fruit-based clean-label ingredient solutions, launched VegStable Fresh, a plant-based antioxidant preservative.