Food Colors Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Natural, Synthetic, Naturally-identical, Caramel, and Others), By Source (Plant and Animal, Chemicals, and Others), By Application (Processed Foods and Beverages), and Regional Forecast, 2019-2026

The global food colors market size was USD 2.55 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 4.77 billion by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.19% during the forecast period. As large quantities of food colours are utilized in the production of soft drinks along with the growing demand for the same, the market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The huge demand for various processed food products and carbonated beverages majorly propels the global market. 

FOOD COLORS MARKET TRENDS

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Rising Consumer Shift Towards Clean-label Products and Ingredients

The demand for clean-label ingredients is creating a demand for this market. There is a clear consumer shift from chemical ingredients to all-natural and chemical-free products. This shift is clearly due to consumer awareness regarding various health hazards caused by these chemical ingredients as compared to plant-derived ingredients.

Due to this phenomenal shift from consumers, various food and beverage manufacturers have incorporated the manufacturing and utilization of clean-label ingredients in their final food products. This way of food manufacturing, it brings clear transparency to the supply chain and production practices as well. According to a survey conducted by Kerry Group plc in 2018, 73% of consumers are willing to pay a higher retail price for food and beverage products that are made using recognizable ingredients such as natural ingredients, free-from ingredients, etc.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increased Consumption of Processed Food Products and Beverages to Fuel the Demand for Food Colors Market

The rising number of working professionals and modernization has led to the consumption of processed and packaged food products. The increase in the consumption of processed food products such as ready-to-eat snacks, soft drinks, convenience food products, processed dairy products, and others has led to the increased usage of various food colors. These colors are mixed and amalgamated into processed food products and beverages to provide an appealing look. The appeal of food products is as important to the ingredients that are utilized in the production of the food products, as it gains attraction from the consumers. Pigments and dyes are the most commonly utilized food colorants in food products, and in the case of beverages liquid dyes and gels are used. The usage of these colors varies from product to product. Most soft and carbonated drinks utilize more colorants in comparison to food products. The rising consumption of soft drinks in developing countries will enable speedy, food colors market growth in the forthcoming years.

Consumer Awareness regarding the Natural Food Colorants to Support the Growth

Consumers are aware of the harmful effects of various synthetic ingredients that are utilized in food products, which when consumed regularly would lead to various health disorders. Consumption of chemical colors on a regular basis leads to various allergic problems. This way the consumers prefer buying products that are prepared using plant-based ingredients. The usage of natural colors and pigments came to the spotlight due to the increase in consumer awareness regarding various health benefits of the same. The rising popularity of natural colors or plant-based colors owing to their health benefits will create market opportunities. It helps reduce the risk of allergies among consumers, which creates an opportunity for the manufacturers of the natural colors market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Stringent Regulations to Curtail the Growth of the Food Colors Market

Synthetic food colors exhibit carcinogens and other allergies. To overcome this, there are various stringent regulations imposed by the federation of various countries. Artificial colors such as red 40, yellow 6, and yellow 5 are tested to have harmful carcinogens that can lead to cancer when consumed regularly. A study conducted by the U.K. government concluded that consumption of artificial colors by 8-9-year-olds results in hyperactivity. Caffeine, a widely used color in soft drinks may cause heart problems such as palpitations.

According to the FDA (The Food and Drug Administration), lab testing results on animals show that the synthetic colors Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Blue 1, and Green 3 express cancer properties in the lab animals.

FOOD COLORS MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

By Type Analysis

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Synthetic Food Colors Hold the Largest Market Share, Owing to its Easy Availability

The global food colors market is expected to exhibit faster growth owing to the wide acceptance of these colorants by major and developing economies. By type, synthetic colors are expected to hold the largest market share as it is less expensive and easily available in the market. There are various types of synthetic food colors used in food and beverages as they help increase the appeal, appetizer, and attractiveness for the consumers. Over the years, these synthetic chemical colors are projected to witness slow growth due to various stringent rules and regulations by various federal bodies.

On the other hand, natural colors are expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 9.67% owing to high consumer preference for natural ingredients. The naturally-identical food colors are made chemically but it has the same molecules that are present in the natural food colors. Due to less consumer awareness of this type of food colorant, it registers a moderate growth CAGR. Caramel is widely used in the preparation of candies for color and flavor. Consumer acceptance of these varieties of these colors is a major growth factor in the global market.

By Source Analysis

Plant and Animal Sourced Food Colors hold the Largest Market Share Due to High Consumer Preference

The increase in consumer awareness of natural colors is expected to create a demand for these plant and animal sources. There are various microorganisms as well that act as a natural food colorant and produce canthaxanthin, astaxanthin, phycocyanin, and others. Natural pigments are used for pharmaceutical purposes as well, as it is safe to consume. The cost of production and the usage of these natural sources of colors are on the expensive side, which increases the value of these colorants.

By Application Analysis

The Processed Food Segment holds the Major Share Owing to the Large Consumer Base in the Developed Region

The processed food segments hold the largest market share in the market, due to the large consumption of various ready-to-eat snacks and convenient food products in the developed regions. The beverages segment has a sub-segment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Non-alcoholic beverages hold the major share, owing to the consumption of various soft drinks and carbonated beverages.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

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North America to Exhibit Exponential Growth due to Consumption of various Processed Food Products

The global food colors market is majorly propelled due to the robust consumption of packaged food products in major economies such as North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. An increasing number of bans on synthetic colors for ecological and toxicological reasons is the key factor driving the demand for natural food colors. Increasing urbanization and westernization have led to the consumption of packaged food products. These food products contain natural, synthetic, or artificial food coloring agents according to the requirement. The market for natural and synthetic colors is growing across North America, as consumers have high purchases of various carbonated drinks.

The market in the European region is similar to that of North America, however, it has the highest value sales of natural food colors among the others. The high consumer awareness regarding natural ingredients used in food products and beverages. Label-reading, and ingredient knowledge among the consumers in this region help in the growth of the natural food colorants market.

The high population base in the Asia-Pacific region led to the consumption of various ready-to-eat snacks, which creates a demand for these colors. The rise in the working population in the region is also a major driver for the growth of the market in the region

On the other hand, there is a slow growth observed throughout the forecast period in South America which is owing to factors such as legislative challenges, low economic conditions, and consumer health concerns. However, the region is expected to show a high preference for packaged food products.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Highly Organized Industry Structure to Define the Food Colors Market Competition

The global food coloring agents market structure is highly organized due to the dominance of various key players in the market for these colors. The manufacturers are working towards developing transparency in the supply chain and the production house. Various key players present in the market are Dohler Group, ADM Company, Ingredion Inc, and Sensient Technologies. These players are expected to hold the major food colors market share.

Symrise AG is one of the leading manufacturers in the flavors and fragrances segment. The company’s range of food colors are produced in its flavors and nutrition segment. The company serves in various locations in over 40 countries in the U.S., Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Europe.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED IN THE FOOD COLORS MARKET:

• Dohler Group


• Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.


• Symrise AG


• Ingredion, Inc.


• Sensient Technologies


• Kalsec, Inc.


• DDW, Inc.


• Chr. Hansen


• Koninklijke DSM NV 


• Naturex

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• In July 2021 – GNT Group announced the launch of two EXBERRY Colouring Foods made from turmeric and spirulina. The launch of these new products can help the company cater to the growing global demand for cost-effective green colors that support clean label declarations.


• In June 2021 – Chr. Hansen Natural Colors, now known as Oterra, has announced the complete acquisition of Symrise AG's natural food coloring business.  This acquisition can help Oterra to strengthen its natural food coloring segment.


• In October 2020 - Chr. Hansen Natural Colors inaugurated a research and development center to ramp up pigment, formulation, and application capabilities in France and develop new natural color solutions. This new R&D center will help a company to increase its prominence in the global food colors market.


• In September 2020 – Israel-based start-up company Phytolon has secured USD 4.1 million in funding for its fermentation-based technology to produce natural, high-quality food colorings.


• In September 2020 – Chr. Hansen launched two new natural food colorings, i.e., a turmeric-based yellow and spirulina-based blue.

REPORT COVERAGE 

An Infographic Representation of Food Colors Market

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The natural food colors segment has witnessed significant growth in the overall food color market globally. The growing world population is stepping towards an increased awareness of varied food colourants and its benefits with high efficacy, which is anticipated to the growth of the global market in the future years.

The food colors market report provides qualitative and quantitative insights into the market. It also offers a detailed analysis of its utility, applications, types of food colors, market size, and growth rate for all possible segments in the market.

Along with this, the report provides an elaborative analysis of the market dynamics and competitive landscape. Various key insights presented in the report are an overview of related markets, recent industry developments such as mergers & acquisitions, the regulatory scenario in critical countries, and key industry trends.

Report Scope & Segmentation