U.S. Food Container Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Flexible Packaging, Paperboard, Rigid Packaging, Metal, Glass), By Application (Grain Mill, Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables, Bakery), And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The U.S. food container market size was valued at USD 37.34 billion in 2015. Growing demand for frozen baked goods and processed meat products is projected to be a key driving force over the forecast period.

The packaged food market growth is expected to witness significant gains as a result of the introduction of new processing technologies aimed for increasing the shelf life of food products. Rising demand for hot dogs, chicken burger, and beef sandwiches in the U.S. as a result of changing lifestyles, and increased popularity of quick-service restaurants is expected to have a substantial impact.   

U.S. food container market, by product, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)

Over the past few years, the inclusion of nanotechnology in convenience food manufacturing has been playing a crucial role in improving critical functions including preservation procedure, packaging method and, finished goods processing. This trend is expected to play a significant role in increasing the usage of containers for packaged food products in the near future.

The U.S. packaged food market, in terms of revenue, was valued at USD 345.9 billion in 2012 and reached USD 372.7 billion in 2016. The main drivers of the U.S. food container market include the development of production technologies, use of case-ready packaging, and improved packaging practices.

Stringent regulations aimed at restricting the usage of bisphenol A in the packaging of food & beverage products on account of association with estrogenicity is projected to result in reducing the access of chemical feedstock to paper manufacturers over the next nine years.

Technological innovations aimed at improving the manufacturing processes of flexible packaging to minimize the use of raw materials and lower energy costs are anticipated to have a positive impact on the market. In November 2011, Anchor Packaging developed Crisp Food Container by utilizing the Convection Cross-Flow technology for packaging food products such as chicken and fried food items.

Declining crude oil prices, as a result of increased petroleum feedstock in the U.S., along with the increasing production output of unconventional sources, including shale gas is expected to reduce the prices of packaging products. However, the rising demand for polymer resins in construction and automotive is expected to decrease the availability of feedstock in the packaging sector

Product Insights

Flexible packaging accounted for 42.8% of the market share in 2015. Growing use of aluminium foil in the household and food & beverage industry is expected to drive the market growth over the next nine years. Furthermore, rapid acceptance of international standards for testing and certification of the product particularly in the food and pharmaceutical sector worldwide is expected to propel the market growth over the forecast period.

Rigid plastics is expected to witness revenue growth at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2016 to 2025. Growing demand for convenience foods including frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, and dried chips is expected to drive industry growth further. Rigid packaging is projected to witness significant gains as a result of its favorable characteristics including impact strength, high robustness, and superior barrier properties.

Metal packaging is expected to account for 3.1% of the total market share by 2025. Numerous factors including increasing trend of “on the go” lifestyle, increasing requirement for convenience packaging among consumers, rising demand for brand differentiation are projected to have an influence on the metal packaging industry.

Glass packaging complies with the FDA status of “GRAS” and ensures the health, and the taste is thereby driving its demand in the near future. Furthermore, glass enables strength, aroma, and flavor of the product and thus will fuel market growth over the next nine years. The product segment is expected to account for 2.8% of total share by the end of 2025.

Application Insights

Meat processing products were the largest application segment, accounting for 26.7% of the global volume share in 2015. The application is expected to witness significant growth owing to the increased sales volumes of meat snacks on a domestic level.

The market for dairy goods is projected to witness growth at a CAGR of 2.8% from the period of 2016 to 2025. New product launches by Fonterra, and Kerry Foods in terms of cheese and chilled desserts segments are expected to play a significant role in increasing the demand for containers over the next nine years.

U.S. food container market revenue, by application, 2015, (%)

The food container market in grain mill products was valued at USD 6,627.3 million in 2015. High concentration of cereals mill processing companies including, Ardent Mills and Miller Milling is expected to be a driving force. Furthermore, the increasing consumption of grain mill products including rice, wheat, and maize along with the staple food is projected to have a positive impact.

Bakery products are expected to generate revenue of USD 9,267.7 million by the end of 2025. Rising trend among bread manufacturers to produce products with low-calorie reduced carbohydrates and gluten-free in the U.S. is expected to increase the manufacturing capacity in the near future.

Growing popularity of non-GMO goods among consumers, owing to providing numerous health benefits is projected to promote the importance of organic fruits & vegetables. The market in fresh fruit & vegetables is expected to foresee revenue growth at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2016 to 2025.

Other application segments include the usage of food containers for the packaging of soups, noodles, and cereal bars. Growing demand for noodles in the U.S. as a result of increasing population of Chinese immigrants in the U.S. is expected to expand the application of food containers over the next nine years.

U.S. Food Container Market Share Insights

Key manufacturers include Silgan, Bemis, Amcor, Berry Plastics, Ball Corporation, Ardagh, Sealed Air Corporation, and Graham Packaging. Product innovation and mergers & acquisitions are expected to remain critical success factors for the food packaging vendors over the projected period.

The market is expected to be highly competitive as a result of increased penetration of local food container processing provider. However, the firm foothold of leading manufacturers including Ball Corporation, Silgan, and Amcor in the U.S. food packaging industry through the product with high quality and well-established networks with buyers is expected to reduce the competitive impact of local as well as prospecting new entrants.

The industry participants are projected to increase spending on the development of new eco-friendly food packaging product forms. As a result, the companies are likely to collaborate with bio-based polymer processing firms to ensure access to feedstock for processing the finished goods.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. food container market on the basis of product and application:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Flexible Packaging

  • Paperboard

  • Rigid Packaging

  • Metal

  • Glass

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Grain Mill Products

  • Dairy Goods

  • Fruits & Vegetables

  • Bakery Products

  • Meat Processed Products

  • Others