Frozen Food Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Material (Plastic, {Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Others}, Paper & Paperboard, Aluminium, and Others) By Packaging Type (Rigid {Boxes & Cartons, Trays, Containers, Tubs & Cups, Others} and Flexible {Wrap, Films, Pouches, Bags}, By Food Type (Fruits & Vegetables, Ready-to-eat Products, Dairy Products, Meat, Poultry & Seafood, Bakery & Confection, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global frozen food packaging market size was valued at USD 10.84 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 11.38 billion in 2024 to USD 17.20 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.16% during the forecast period. Moreover, the frozen food packaging market in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 3.15 billion by 2032, driven by the increasing consumer demand for convenient, ready-to-eat meals and the need for packaging that ensures product freshness and extended shelf life.

Frozen food packaging helps preserve food products from when they are prepared to when consumed. With the rise in busy lifestyles, industrialization, and the advancement in technologies, the demand of consumers for frozen food is increasing. The adoption of automated packaging to improve the packaging system's efficiency will contribute to the market share. With the help of packaging machines, frozen foods can be packed with high efficiency, high precision, and low labor cost, further increasing the use of the frozen food packaging industry. Frozen food packaging increases the shelf life of perishable products, and growing investment in the packaging sector in advanced freezing methods is helping the market growth.

The market was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The curfew and lockdown enforced by the government have affected the use of frozen food products in all regions. However, frozen food items registered a huge demand as they remained edible for a longer time, and this rise in demand for such items boosted the market growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frozen Food Packaging Market Trends

Increasing Focus on Innovative Packaging Solutions to Extend Shelf Life is Emerging as a New Trend

The increasing innovations in packaging have substantially impacted the frozen food sector, further increasing consumer experiences. Manufacturing constantly explores new technologies, materials, and designs for safety improvement, quality, and convenience, which increases market growth. The trend is in using innovative packaging solutions, such as laminates and sustainable films with increased barrier properties, moisture protection, and optimal insulation, odor, and air, preserving frozen food product’s integrity. Modified atmosphere and vacuum sealing packaging techniques extend shelf life and decrease food waste. Moreover, microwave-safe and oven-safe packaging options allow consumers to cook frozen meals in the packaging directly, further saving efforts and time, which are emerging as new food packaging market trends.

Growth Factors

Increasing use of Frozen Food Packaging and Reducing Food Waste is Driving Market Growth

The increasing awareness related to reducing food waste is generating a positive outlook. Customers are increasingly anxious regarding the environmental impacts of excess food wastage and are looking for ways to decrease it, further reducing food waste. The innovations in packaging, including resealable bags, sizes controlled by portions, and microwave-safe containers, decrease food wastage by allowing consumers to use whatever is needed and safely store the rest, which can be consumed later.

In addition, producers are implementing sustainable and eco-friendly packaging materials and decreasing the environmental impact of frozen food products. The growing awareness regarding food wastage has promoted the market to hold more sustainable practices, which offer solutions that contribute to a more sustainable future. 

Increasing Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Packaging Materials to Drive Market Expansion

The increased demand for eco-friendly and sustainable packaging materials provides opportunities as consumers become more concerned about the environment, seeking packaging options aligned with their values and decreasing the environmental impact. Sustainable packaging materials, including compostable trays, biodegradable films, and recycled paperboard, are gaining traction as they offer less carbon footprints and are less harmful to the environment.

Consumers increasingly opt for frozen food products packaged in eco-friendly materials to reduce their contribution to plastic waste and landfill pollution. Frozen food packaging manufacturers are adopting sustainable packaging solutions to spread awareness among consumers of the environmental impacts. Companies demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility by adopting eco-friendly packaging materials.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Frozen Food Packaging and Plastic Waste is Restraining Market Growth

The increasing choice for ordering hot food rather than frozen food products is anticipated to lower the business sales of frozen food packages. The high cost of frozen food packaging material is expected to negatively impact market growth. Frozen food packaging manufacturers are progressively using plastic packaging due to its excellent stopper properties to preserve food from physical factors such as moisture, light, and oxygen.

As a result, the harmful effects of plastic are getting caught in the food products, thus hampering people's health. Consumers in some regions prefer hot food to frozen foods, hindering market growth. Hence, this factor is hampering the frozen food packaging market growth during the forecast period.

Frozen Food Packaging Market Segmentation Analysis

By Material Analysis

Versatility and Availability of Material to Drive Plastic Segment Growth

The market is segmented by material into plastic, paper and paperboard, aluminum, and others. The plastic segment holds the largest share of the frozen food packaging market. Plastic is gaining widespread prominence due to its versatility and cost-effectiveness. The material offers excellent barrier properties, ensuring the preservation of food products' freshness and preventing freezer burn.

By Packaging Type Analysis

Increasing Need for Flexible Frozen Food Packaging to Boost Flexible Segment Growth

Based on the packaging type, the market is segmented into rigid and flexible. The flexible segment holds the largest share of the frozen food packaging market. Flexible packaging products are one of the major products manufacturers adopt due to their properties, such as being lightweight, sustainable, and cost-effective. Pouches and bags are lighter and take up less space, saving transport costs and allowing more products to be shipped.

The rigid packaging type is the second-leading segment and has been analyzed to foresee significant growth in the upcoming years. The growing utilization of cartons, trays, cups, and other rigid packaging products for the packaging of frozen food in online delivery services majorly enhances the segment’s growth.

By Food Type Analysis

Growing Use of Packaging Solutions to Pack Meat to Drive Meat, Poultry & Seafood in Food Type Segment

The market is segmented by food type into fruits and vegetables, ready-to-eat products, dairy products, meat, poultry, and seafood, bakery and confection, and others. The meat, poultry, and seafood segment holds the largest frozen food packaging market share. Packaging solutions are highly used in meat packaging to obtain the best quality products and prevent excessive water evaporation. All meat and seafood products are kept at very low temperatures, which is necessary to increase the segment’s growth.

Fruits and vegetables are the second-leading food type segment. The growing segmental growth is driving the rapid demand for frozen fruits and vegetables by the working population, cafés and restaurants, and various food outlets worldwide.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Based on geography, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Europe dominates the global frozen food packaging market. The growing preference toward convenience food is increasing the market growth in the region. The significant growth of online grocery is further boosting the growth of the frozen packaging market.

North America is the second dominant region of the global market, as frozen food products are broadly sold via various retail chains, which include comfort stores, supermarkets, and others. The existence of a well-founded retail sector in the region is expected to trigger the demand for frozen food products.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow significantly due to the increasing population and quality products with increasing urbanization. The growing awareness about foodborne illnesses, food wastage, and food spoilage further increases the region’s growth.

Latin America is expected to have moderate growth due to the increasing use of frozen food specialties, such as poultry, meat & seafood, which are major food types bolstering the market growth in the region.

The Middle East & Africa is expected to have stable growth owing to various factors, such as changing lifestyles, rapid urbanization in developing countries, and increasing disposable income, boosting the market growth in the region.

List of Key Companies in Frozen Food Packaging Market

Key Participants Offering Innovative Packaging Solutions to Drive Market Growth

The global market is highly fragmented and competitive. Regarding market share, the few major players dominate the market by offering innovative packaging in the packaging industry. These major players in the market are constantly focusing on expanding their customer base across the regions and innovation.

Major players in the market include ProAmpac, Sonoco, WestRock Company, Graphic Packaging International, LLC, Pactiv Evergreen Inc., Anchor Packaging LLC, Mondi, Amcor, Qingdao Yilucai Packaging Co., Ltd, KOROZO GROUP, and others. Numerous other players operating in the industry are focused on delivering advanced packaging solutions.

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• ProAmpac (U.S.)


• Sonoco (U.S.)


• WestRock Company (U.S.)


• Graphic Packaging International, LLC (U.S.)


• Pactiv Evergreen Inc. (U.S.)


• Anchor Packaging LLC (U.S.)


• Mondi (U.K.)


• Amcor (Switzerland)


• Qingdao Yilucai packaging Co., Ltd (China)


• KOROZO GROUP (Turkiye)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• May 2023—Stora Enso introduced a new, easily recyclable, board-grade packaging for chilled and frozen food. Tambrite Aqua+ is a new circular packaging material that reduces the need for fossil-based plastics and improves recyclability after use. Aqua+ is a new water-based dispersion coating that provides protection and food safety.


• February 2023 – C-P Flexible Packaging collaborated with Northwest Frozen, LLC to successfully launch High-Performance Packaging for extended shelf life refrigerated meals. The new product includes a frozen croissant-shaped gnocchi pasta product called crocchi.


• August 2022 – Parkside launched recyclable paper packaging for frozen food products. The packaging printed using Flexo is a significant landmark for Iceland in its pursuit of plastic-free packaging and the frozen food sector, as it symbolizes one of the first successful applications of flexible paper packaging for frozen food.


• June 2022 – Walki launched new recyclable packaging materials for frozen food products. The new materials are anticipated to meet the needs of the frozen food industry and make the packaging 100% recyclable in the paper stream. Walki EVO Seal has a dispersion coating that serves as an obstacle against water vapor and grease.


• September 2020—Sabic launched innovative TF-BOPE Film, a sustainable packaging solution for frozen food that combines a new polyethylene (PE) grade with innovative film production technology. It offers significantly higher throughput and has the potential for downgauging, making it attractive from both a sustainability and a commercial standpoint.

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides a detailed market analysis and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, competitive landscape, product/service types, Porter's five forces analysis, market shares, and leading applications of the product. Besides, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the above factors, the report encompasses several factors that contributed to the market's growth in recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation