Culinary Sauces Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Dry and Wet), Application (Households, Food Processors, and HoReCa), End-Use (B2C and B2B), and Regional Forecasts, 2024-2032

The global culinary sauces market size was valued at USD 48.13 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from 49.74 billion in 2024 to USD 67.54 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.89% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the culinary sauces market with a market share of 37.63% in 2023. Moreover, the culinary sauces market size in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 7.78 billion by 2032, driven by growing popularity of continental and ethnic cuisines in the country. 

Cultural expansion, population diversification, and rising consumer preferences for ethnic, authentic, and umami flavors are the key factors predicted to drive the global culinary sauces market growth. The growing popularity of premium food products and healthy cooking solutions will boost the demand for nutrient-enriched cooking sauces. Rising awareness among buyers regarding organic, preservative, and salt-free products is expected to impact the demand for condiments positively. Furthermore, the growing demand for on-the-go snacks, ready meals, and ready-to-cook products to enhance their attributes supports the culinary sauces industry's growth.

The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the food service sector across the globe. The temporary border closure and restrictions on public mobility limited the export and import of raw materials in several countries, which led to fluctuations in the prices of raw materials such as tomatoes, chilies, pepper, and others, thereby affecting the overall cost of production. Thus, these factors mentioned above significantly affected the growth rate of the sauces market.

Culinary Sauces Market Trends

The development of Exotic and Bold Flavor Blends is a Prominent Trend

Exotic and bold flavors in sauces are gaining wide momentum globally in food service and retail. Manufacturers and food processors have widely explored taste and flavor to experiment with for developing innovative products to address consumers' insatiable and ever-evolving demand. Exotic sauce blends created by combining two or more sauces pave new opportunities for manufacturers to expand their product offerings. Currently, flavors such as Korean barbecue, Indian, Thai curries, Chimichurri, spicy tabasco, and habanero are a few widely experimented flavor options, propelling manufacturers to launch innovative products. For instance, in October 2023, Grupo Herdez, a family-owned Mexican food company, introduced a new Habanero hot sauce under HERDEZ. The new product is made with real habanero peppers, bringing a hot, spicy heat and versatile taste.

Request a Free sample to learn more about this report.

Culinary Sauces Market Growth Factors

Growing Vegan and Vegetarianism Trends to Fuel Market Growth

Recently, consumers' appetites for different plant-based meat alternatives continue to expand and diversify, promoting vegetarianism and veganism trends worldwide. Even though the vegan and vegetarian trends have no direct influence on the sourcing of the products, it has gradually started to sway various food ingredient manufacturers to develop innovative flavors that can be paired with these meat alternatives. These culinary sauces are often incorporated into meat substitutes to enhance their flavor and texture, along with mimicking the taste of meat products. Furthermore, various processed food and ingredients manufacturing companies are pondering the vegan culinary sauces sector to cater to the changing consumer preferences toward animal-based products. For instance, in May 2023, Nestle Germany, one of the largest food & beverage companies, launched two new vegan BBQ sauces under its brand Thomy. The new products are available in two flavors: the Thomy vegan garlic sauce and the Thomy vegan burger sauce.

Growing Investment in Research and Development by the Major Players to Aid Market Growth

Processors operating in the culinary sector have recognized the future growth potential of nutrient-enriched and healthier versions of traditional sauces. It has allowed companies to invest heavily in innovation and introduce nutrient-enriched products to establish their prominence. They are working towards developing the technology for creating dry concentrates of culinary sauces using additives such as soy mushroom, soy pepper, and others. Moreover, these processing companies are capitalizing on advanced machinery solutions to overcome manufacturing glitches and improve the existing production method.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices to Pose Hindrance in Market Performance

A major factor restraining the market growth is the fluctuations in the price of widely used raw materials in culinary sauces such as tomatoes, jalapenos, peppers, garlic, and others. Since the price of these raw materials relies on production and demand, it swiftly varies due to the dominance of a few key manufacturers in these ingredients trade, stock ratios, weather patterns, labor requirements, political factors, diseases of crop yields, and others. For instance, India, which is one of the prominent producers of chili and tomatoes, benefitted from the huge price hike due to adverse climatic conditions and lower cultivation. This significantly affected the final price of the product as it directly gets affected due to price hikes, which ultimately led to an increase in the price of culinary sauces. India faced lower outputs of chilies for the fifth time in 2022 since the last year, 2021, owing to the invasive pest attack and crop damage from unseasonal rains in the major producing regions, leading to a price hike of nearly 80%.

Culinary Sauces Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Wet Sauces to Hold the Prominent Share Backed by the Wider Availability

Based on type, the culinary sauces market is segmented into dry and wet sauces. The wet sauce segment held the major share in the market and is anticipated to maintain its position even during the forecasted years owing to its wide utilization in households as well as in the food service industry. The growing demand for ready-to-use wet sauces, such as soy sauce, ketchup, tomato puree, and chili, due to its surging utilization in various dishes as it considerably saves cooking and food preparation time. This has also influenced the manufacturers to introduce new products, which is anticipated to impact the market performance positively. For instance, in June 2022, Ceramica Food Industries launched a range of seven new sauces, including tomato ketchup, in India, which can be used as a dressing, dip, or in sandwiches and wraps. These sauces will help improve the flavor profile and deliver a unique culinary experience to the diners.

By Application Analysis

Household Application to Emerge as Dominant Segment Due to Rise in Home Cooking Trends

Based on application, the market is segmented into household, food processors, and HoReCa. The household segment is likely to remain dominant during the foreseeable years due to its growing use in home cooking. The wide availability and accessibility of a wide range of sauces boost the segment’s performance. The rise in the working women population and the number of single-person households worldwide has led to their growing inclination towards culinary sauces as it considerably saves cooking time. Furthermore, the incorporation of various non-indigenous sauces into traditional dishes helps to enhance their flavor and texture, thereby complementing the food for making it more palatable. These aforementioned reasons are projected to boost product demand.

Upsurge in the number of cafes, restaurants, and hotels owing to the increase in global population, coupled with the rise and high profitability associated with the hospitality sector, is likely to benefit the HoReCa industry. Furthermore, the rising demand for savory, sweet and spicy, and other innovative flavors in various food products among consumers will likely fuel its demand among food processors.

To know how our report can help streamline your business, Speak to Analyst

By End-Use Analysis

B2C Segment to Hold the Major Share Due to Growth in Retail Industry

The end-use segment is bifurcated into – B2C and B2B. In recent times, the B2C segment surfaced as the leading segment in the global marketplace and is anticipated to grow at a decent pace during the upcoming years. The ever-growing demand for easy-to-cook solutions such as ready meals is predicted to leverage the sale of cooking sauces among consumers positively. Moreover, rising consumer inclination toward innovative taste preferences and growing at-home cooking trends pave numerous opportunities for manufacturers to explore the culinary sauces sector. The B2B segment is projected to witness robust growth during the forecast period due to the steadily expanding global foodservice industry.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The Asia Pacific culinary sauces market in 2023 stood at USD 18.11 billion and is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate during the forecasted period, 2024-2032. Asian cuisines are known for their diverse, bright, and vibrant flavors, imparted by using a wide range of condiments such as culinary sauces. These sauces are increasingly becoming a part of Asian foodservice industry and households owing to the rising adoption of various western eating habits and culinary practices for creating new eating experiences. Consumers are keen to experiment with new flavors, and different flavors of sauces in traditional staple foods are likely to positively impact the consumption of cooking sauces in various countries across the region. Furthermore, population dynamics and spicy culinary traditions of the different emerging countries within the region are now being explored by individuals, contributing to the market's exponential growth. Japan, India, and China are undergoing digitalization trends which have propelled the demand for Korean sauces in these countries. Moreover, the presence of these countries anticipated to propel the region’s dominance in the global marketplace due to their wide utilization as an essential element in traditional cuisine.

Europe’s culinary sauces market share is majorly propelled by the robust growth trajectory of the sauces and condiments industry across the region. The rising demand for spicy ethnic foods and their increasing popularity in European countries, such as Germany, Italy, France, and others, is encouraging key international market players such as Hormel and McCormick to invest in the European market. These market players are minutely analyzing the taste preferences of European consumers and investing in improving their R&D capabilities to produce and launch innovative products.

The growing popularity of various continental cuisines and changing lifestyles across the countries such as the U.S. and Canada are a few factors driving the product’s demand across North America. There is a surge in the popularity of ethnic cuisines in these countries owing to the increase in the number of multi-cultural populations, and restaurant outlets is projected to fuel the demand for sauces in the region. In addition, new and frequent product launches in the U.S. and Canada are expected to impact the regional market performance positively. For instance, in January 2023, Grace Foods Canada Inc., a famous brand in Canada, launched new hot pepper sauces. The new product is available in hickory smoked, scotch bonet, and garlic flavors.

The South American market is a hub for distinct range of dishes that comprises various spicy condiments such as chimichurri, aji amarillo, and others, with spicy flavors always being prevalent in the region. Premiumization trend in sauces and condiments is on the surge owing to urbanization and the rise in disposable incomes of individuals, allowing them to spend more on such premium quality sauces. However, the growing exposure of individuals to international and cross-cultural cuisines is influencing new cooking techniques and experimentation where some of the ingredients in the preparations are replaced with indigenous ones to create a unique tasting dish. Furthermore, their growing health consciousness have influenced the demand for healthy-indulgence, further contributing to the demand for culinary sauces in the forthcoming years.

Spices and herbs are an indispensable part of Middle Eastern cuisine, and with evolving consumer taste and changing dietary preferences taste is projected to proliferate the demand for culinary sauces across the region, as they act as a crucial ingredient in the preparation of a wide variety of regional cuisines including hummus and Babaganoush. Furthermore, culinary sauces can have multiple usage in the preparation as well as an accompaniment in the Middle East & African cuisine, which is a positive attribute of the product and can support its sales in the region.

To know how our report can help streamline your business, Speak to Analyst

List of Key Companies in the Culinary Sauces Market

Strong Product Portfolio to Strengthen Market Position of Key Players

Players operating in the global market have recognized the increasing popularity of various cuisines amid several regions and, hence are making continuous efforts to innovate and launch new products in the market to establish their prominence. The Kraft Heinz Company, Unilever Plc, Conagra Brands, Del Monte Foods Inc., and McCormick & Company Inc. are among the prominent players operating in the industry.

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the most active companies in the market. The company is embarking on joint ventures and new product launches to establish its prominence in the market. For instance, in April 2022, the company launched a first-of-its-kind innovation with its ketchup called HEINZ DIP & CRUNCH to revolutionize the burger-eating experience as the product combines sauce with crisp potato crunchers.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• The Kraft Heinz Company (U.S.)


• Conagra Brands (U.S.)


• Unilever PLC (U.K.)


• Del Monte Foods Inc. (U.S.)


• Kikkoman Corporation (Japan)


• YAMASA Corporation (Japan)


• Ken’s Foods (U.S.)


• McCormick & Company Inc. (U.S.)


• McIlhennyCompany (U.S.)


• Hormel Foods Corporation (U.S.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• January 2024 – Kikkoman Corporation, a Japanese food manufacturer, launched a dark soy sauce crafted specially for the Indian market.


• June 2023 – Kraft Heinz Co., launched six limited-edition sauce portfolios in the select US restaurants. The new product portfolio includes flavors such as yuzu wasabi, black garlic ranch, creamy chimichurri, brewery mustard and others.


• April 2022 – Solina Group Holding, a culinary and solutions manufacturer, acquired France-based sauce expert companies Sauces et Créations and Atelier D2i to expand its product offering range with sweet and savory made-to-measure sauces.


• September 2021 – Kraft Heinz Co. agreed to acquire Companhia Hemmer Indústria e Comércio, Brazilian sauces and condiments manufacturing company, to expand its consumer base in Brazil.


• October 2021 – U.K.-based brand Patak announced its new launch of an Indian-style plant-based range of curries that comprises easy-to-cook sauces and ready-meal kits.

Report Coverage

An Infographic Representation of Culinary Sauces Market

View Full Infographic

To get information on various segments, share your queries with us

The market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market. It focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, market segmentation, product types, and distribution channels. Besides this, the report offers insights into the market trends of key players and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the market's growth prospects over recent years.

The culinary sauces market report provides an exhaustive analysis of the market dynamics and competitive scenario. The report presents various critical insights: the overview of related markets, recent developments such as mergers & acquisitions, the regulatory situation in prominent countries, and key industry trends.

Report Scope & Segmentation