Food Preservatives Market Size - By Type (Natural Preservative, Synthetic Preservatives), By Function (Antimicrobial Agents, Antioxidants), Application & Global Forecast Report, 2024 – 2032

Food Preservatives Market Size

Food Preservatives Market was valued at USD 3.3 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to register over 4.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2032. Increasing consumer awareness about food safety, the desire to reduce food wastage, and the need for reliable protection against microbial contamination to ensure product safety for longer periods will drive the industry growth.
 

Preservatives are critical in preserving freshness and preventing spoilage as food products are exported across borders and regions. Globalization of the food supply chain has contributed to the demand for food preservatives. Food preservatives help in maintaining the sensory attributes of processed foods, facilitating consumers to enjoy convenient and ready-to-eat options. These factors are anticipated to accelerate the market expansion during the forecast period.

The increasing demand for natural & clean-label alternatives due to the growing consumer concerns related to health risks caused by synthetic preservatives will hamper the food preservatives market. Manufacturers must tackle these challenges to meet consumer expectations and offer products that are stable & safe. Additionally, the manufacturing cost of natural preservatives is higher than synthetic alternatives, affecting their adoption and hampering market growth.
 

Major factors hampering market growth are the challenges faced by manufacturers in keeping up with the changing regulations and ensuring compliance when launching a new product or expanding into a new market. These factors will impede market growth.
 

COVID-19 Impact

Pandemic-induced lockdown measures & restrictions on transportation and the consequent labor shortage affected the production, distribution, and availability of food preservatives. The food preservatives market witnessed supply delays, impacting the food industry's ability to maintain product quality & shelf life. On the other hand, the food service sector including restaurants, cafeterias, and catering services also faced significant disruptions, which resulted in the increased demand for packaged & processed foods.
 

During the pandemic, consumers became more conscious about hygiene and food safety, which resulted in the demand for food preservatives that can effectively inhibit microbial growth and prevent contamination. These factors fueled business growth during the pandemic. The reduced number of COVID-19 cases and the implementation of supportive strategies by government & non-government organizations are expected to drive the industry expansion by 2032.
 

Food Preservatives Industry Restraint

The increasing demand for natural & clean-label alternatives due to the growing consumer concerns related to health risks caused by synthetic preservatives will hamper the food preservatives market growth. Manufacturers must tackle these challenges to meet consumer expectations and offer products that are stable & safe. Additionally, the manufacturing cost of natural preservatives is higher than synthetic alternatives, affecting their adoption and hampering market growth.

Food Preservatives Market Trends

Synthetic preservatives are gradually being replaced by natural preservatives, which are derived from plant extracts, herbs, spices, and essential oils. Owing to their rising popularity, manufacturers are focusing on developing effective natural preservatives that meet consumer expectations. Moreover, advancements in preservation technologies, such as High-pressure Processing (HPP), Pulsed Electric Field (PEF), and cold plasma, are positively impacting the market development. In addition, with the diversification of the food industry and the demand for unique product formulations, there is an increasing focus on customized preservatives, which will foster the industry progression.
 

Food Preservatives Market Analysis

In 2022, The synthetic food preservatives market held a major valuation of around USD 1.2 billion due to their efficiency, stability, and relatively lower cost. A significant factor propelling their usage is the efficacy of preservatives in inhibiting microbial growth and inhibiting food spoilage. However, food manufacturers, particularly those producing large volumes of processed & packaged food products, find synthetic preservatives appealing owing to the low cost. Synthetic preservatives also offer consistent performance in various food products & processing conditions, thereby boosting segment growth during 2023-2032.

The antimicrobial agents segment held a dominant industry share of around 50% in 2022 and is expected to grow at a lucrative pace by 2032. Antimicrobial agents play a critical role in preventing spoilage and reducing foodborne illnesses. Consumer inclination for minimally processed & additive-free foods will fuel the demand for natural antimicrobial agents, in turn, expediting the industry statistics over the forecast period.
 

The bakery & confectionery sector held a major share of food preservatives market in 2022 and will observe 5.6% growth rate between 2023 and 2032. Food preservatives are important as they guarantee food safety, increase shelf life, meet regulatory requirements, and address consumer preferences. Advancements in research & development to improve product efficiency, offer a wide range of natural preservatives, and address emerging microbial challenges in the food sector will demonstrate the business development.
 

The U.S. dominated the North American industry revenue of USD 1.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a rapid pace through 2032. A high demand for convenience foods including ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and processed foods has been witnessed in North America during the recent years. However, foodborne illnesses & product recalls due to microbial contamination have raised the importance of food safety & quality, thus creating a demand for food preservatives. Growth in online food retailing and the need to maintain product quality & safety in the supply chain are also propelling the need for food preservatives, positively augmenting food preservative business progression in North America.
 

Food Preservatives Market Share

Some of the major food preservatives market players operating in the landscape are

• Kerry Group Plc
• Cargill Incorporated
• Corbion N.V
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• BASF SE
• Kemin Industries, Inc.
• Koninklijke DSM
• Galactic S.A.

These players focus on strategic partnerships and new product launches & commercialization for business expansion. Furthermore, they heavily invest in research to launch advanced products and gain maximum revenue in the industry.
 

Food Preservative Industry News:

• In September 2022, BASF SE launched Propionic Acid (PA) and Neopentyl Glycol (NPG) with zero CPF. PA provides ecological & economic advantages over traditional preservation methods such as drying or storing in sealed silos.
   
• In June 2021, Kerry Group Plc sold its meats and meals division in the UK & Ireland to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation for USD 890.76 million.
   

This market research report on food preservatives includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue and volume (USD Million & Tons) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Natural Preservatives 
  • Salt,
  • Suga
  • Vinegar
  • Rosemary Extract,
  • Natamycin
  • Nisin
  • Others natural preservatives
• Synthetic Preservatives 
  • Benzoates
  • Sorbates
  • Propionate
  • Nitrites,
  • Sulfites
  • Others synthetic preservatives

Market, By Function

• Antimicrobial Agents
• Antioxidants
• Others

Market, By Application

• Bakery & Confectionery
• Beverages
• Dairy & Frozen Products
• Meat, Poultry & Seafood
• Oils & Fats
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Others applications

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Poland
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Philippines
  • Malaysia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE