Freeze-dried Vegetable Powder Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Vegetable Type (Onion, Tomato, Potato, Carrot, Cabbage, Beans, Corn, Mushroom, Others), By Application (Ready-to-cook Food, Functional Food & Beverages, Dietary Supplements, Infant Food, Foodservice) and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global freeze-dried vegetable powder market is exhibiting strong growth due to its vast application in convenience foods. The most prominent application of freeze-dried vegetable powder is ready-to-cook (RTC) foods owing to its longer shelf life. During the freeze-drying process, the water is completely removed from vegetables by sublimation, thereby preserving its colour, flavour, shape and nutrients. Water removal during the freeze-drying process increases the shelf life of vegetable powder at room temperature, without adding any preservative. The growing demand for high quality vegetable-based instant meals is fuelling the growth of the market.

Freeze-dried vegetable powders have an extensive application in infant foods as they are easier to digest and have high nutritional value. Vegetable powders are also widely utilized in plant-based functional food and beverages and dietary supplements. Freeze-dried vegetable powders add flavours to soups, sauces, gravies without adding any moisture thereby retaining the product consistency. The increasing demand for freeze-dried vegetable powders from foodservice segment is anticipated to further drive the growth of the market. The increasing innovation and product development activities are expected to fuel the growth of the market.

In past few years, the demand for ready-to-cook foods (RTC) has increased rapidly due to the modern-day hectic lifestyle. RTC packaged foods offer convenient preparation option and can be stored for longer periods. The emerging trend of consuming whole foods has led food processing companies to utilize vegetable powders in a range of convenience food products. The increasing utilization of dehydrated vegetable powders in RTC foods is primarily driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, the emerging trend of plant-based functional foods and dietary supplements is driving the demand for high quality dehydrated vegetable powders.

Water removal from food ingredients is one of the oldest techniques to ensure food stability. Freeze drying, unlike other dehydration techniques, involves a process of water removal from the frozen product through sublimation. In the absence of liquid water and the low temperature, most microbiological reactions and alterations are stopped, ensuring high-quality products. The sublimation process requires high energy input owing to the continuous reduction in pressure, making it an expensive process. The high cost of freeze-drying technology is acting as a key restraint for the growth of the market.

Key Players Covered:

SouthAm Freeze Dry, European freeze Dry, Green Rootz, Mercer Foods, LLC, Verum Ingredients, Inc., Mevive International Food Ingredients, Halo Corporation Co., Ltd., DHM  Ingredients, Chaucer Foods Ltd. and Freeze Dry Foods GmbH are the key players operating in the global freeze-dried vegetable powder market.

The global freeze-dried vegetable powder market is segmented by vegetable type, application, and geography. Freeze-dried onion powder is expected to witness promising growth owing to its vast application in ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods. Onion flavour and taste is intrinsic for meal preparations in many regions of the world. Onion powder is used in almost all RTC packaged foods. The robust demand from foodservice sector owing to its convenient transportation, utilization and storage is driving the growth of the segment.

The ready-to-cook food segment is expected to exhibit substantial growth. Freeze-drying retains the original nutritional value of the vegetable along with its texture, flavour and the colour. The longer shelf life and high nutritional value offered by freeze-dried vegetable powders has resulted in their increased utilization for the development of healthy meals that can be prepared instantly. The increasing population leading busy and hectic lifestyles is driving the demand for convenience foods that is expected to boost the growth of the segment.

Regional Analysis:

North America is projected to exhibit robust growth owing to the popular trend of healthy snacking. The hectic lifestyles of consumers drive the demand for healthy convenience foods. In recent years, consumer’s dietary preferences have evolved resulting in the increased demand for natural ingredient based functional foods. The growing awareness of the nutritional benefits of vegetables is driving the demand for high quality dehydrated vegetables. Health food manufacturers in the region are introducing innovative products to capitalize on the growing trend of vegetable-based convenience diet. For example, in July 2019, Kencko, a nutrition start-up in the US launched freeze-dried fruit and vegetable packets which can be mixed with water and consumed as a meal replacement.

The freeze-dried vegetable powder market is expected to witness substantial growth in Europe. The emerging trend of consuming plant-based dietary supplements is driving the demand for dehydrated vegetable powders. Freeze-dried vegetable powders are being widely utilized for the formulation of speciality products such as vegan, gluten-free and low-gluten foods. The growing demand for clean-label convenience foods has resulted in the increased utilization of natural ingredients such as vegetable powders in processed foods.

The freeze-dried vegetable powder market in Asia Pacific is primarily driven by the increasing demand for RTC foods. The food industry in the region is flourishing with increasing product development and innovation activities. In developing countries such as India and China, the demand for RTC meals is increasing on account of the hectic lifestyles and evolving purchasing patterns.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In August 2019, U.S.-based leading dehydrated fruits and vegetables company, Van Duren Farms announced a partnership with a South American manufacturer of highest quality freeze-dried ingredients, SouthAm Freeze Dry to establish its business in the region.


• In May 2017, The Vivid Harvest whole food powder brand launched a line of freeze-dried fruit and vegetable powders which have better flowability, enhanced solubility and dispersability, a longer shelf life and cleaner labels.