Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) Market Size - By Product Type (IQF Fruits, IQF Vegetables, IQF Seafood, IQF Poultry, IQF Meat, IQF Dairy Products, IQF Convenience Food), Equipment Type, Technology, Packaging Type, Application, Distribution Channel & Forecast, 2023 – 2032

Individual Quick Freezing Market Size

Individual Quick Freezing Market size was valued at USD 20.4 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow at over 5.2% CAGR from 2023 to 2032. IQF technology is preferred for preserving the quality, texture, flavor, and nutritional value of food products by quickly freezing them individually. This is especially crucial for fruits, vegetables, seafood, and other perishable items. IQF products are easy to handle and portion, offering convenience to consumers and foodservice establishments.
 

IQF technology extends the shelf life of food products, reducing food waste and allowing for greater distribution and storage flexibility. The increasing preference for frozen fruits and vegetables, as they are available year-round, drives the demand for IQF technology.

Implementing IQF technology requires a significant upfront investment in specialized freezing equipment and infrastructure, making it challenging for small and medium-sized companies to enter the individual quick freezing market. IQF technology involves rapid freezing of individual food items, which can result in higher energy consumption compared to conventional freezing methods. IQF processing often requires skilled labor to handle delicate food items individually, which can increase labor costs.
 

COVID-19 Impact

The closure of restaurants, hotels, and other foodservice establishments during lockdowns resulted in reduced demand for IQF products. On the other hand, the increased demand for frozen food in retail channels offset some of the losses. As consumers spent more time at home, there was a shift in consumer preferences towards frozen food products that offered convenience, longer shelf life, and easy preparation. Thus, the reduced number of COVID-19 cases and implementation of subsequent strategies by government and non-government organizations is set to drive the market growth.
 

Individual Quick Freezing Market Trends

The increasing demand for convenient and ready-to-eat food products is driving the industry growth. Consumers are seeking frozen food options that require minimal preparation and offer longer shelf life. The trend towards plant-based diets and meat alternatives has led to a surge in demand for IQF frozen fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins to cater to the growing vegan and vegetarian consumer base.
 

Individual Quick Freezing Market Analysis

The individual quick freezing market for fruits segment held over USD 5.3 billion in 2022. IQF technology allows fruits and berries to be frozen at their peak ripeness, preserving their taste and nutritional value for year-round availability. IQF fruits and berries offer convenience in smoothies, desserts, and baking applications, where no thawing is required.
 

The tunnel freezers segment accounted for 40% of the individual quick freezing market share in 2022. Tunnel freezers are designed for large-scale production, making them ideal for processing large quantities of food products in a continuous flow. Tunnel freezers use forced air or cryogenic cooling to achieve rapid and uniform freezing, preserving the quality, texture, and nutritional value of the food products.
 

The individual quick freezing market from cryogenic segment is anticipated to expand at 4.6% CAGR through 2032. Cryogenic IQF technology achieves ultra-rapid freezing, preserving the texture and quality of food products effectively. Cryogenic IQF technology allows for the individual freezing of small food items, such as berries and diced fruits.
 

Based on packaging type, the individual quick freezing market from bags segment will gain remarkable momentum during the forecast timeline. Bags offer convenient packaging for IQF products, allowing consumers to easily portion and use the desired amount of frozen food without thawing the entire package. Resealable ziplock bags provide added convenience, enabling consumers to reseal the package after use, maintaining the freshness of the remaining product.
 

Based on application the IQF market from food processing segment held the dominant market in 2022. IQF technology enables rapid freezing of individual food items, preserving their natural color, flavor, texture, and nutritional content. Food processors value IQF technology for its ability to maintain the quality of fresh produce and other perishable items during freezing.
 

Based on distribution channel the individual quick freezing market from online retail segment recorded over revenue share in 2022. IQF products are well-suited for online retail as they can be easily packaged, transported, and delivered to consumers' doorsteps. E-commerce platforms allow access to a broader consumer base, including those in remote areas.
 

U.S. individual quick freezing market size dominated around USD 4.5 billion in 2022. North American consumers seek convenient and ready-to-eat food options, which align well with IQF products that require minimal preparation and cooking time. Busy lifestyles and the rise in dual-income households drive the demand for IQF products as time-saving meal solutions.
 

Individual Quick Freezing Market Share

Some of the major companies operating in the individual quick freezing market are

• Marel hf
• GEA Group AG
• JBT Corporation
• Air Liquide S.A.
• Cryogenic Systems Equipment (CSE) GmbH
• OctoFrost Group
• Starfrost (UK) Ltd.
• The Linde Group
• Scanico A/S
• Skaginn 3X
• Advanced Equipment Inc.
• Starfrost (UK) Ltd.
• Unifreezing Ltd.
• Van Abeelen Keuringen B.V.
• NESPAK SRL

These companies focus on strategic partnerships, new product launch & commercialization for market expansion. Furthermore, these companies are heavily investing in research that allows them to introduce innovative products and garner maximum revenue in the market.
 

Individual Quick Freezing Industry News:

• In October 2021, MAREL announced the signing of an agreement to purchase a 50% share in Curio. MAREL completed the first part of the acquisition in November 2019 by purchasing 40% of Curio.
   
• In June 2019, JBT has completed the purchases of Prime Equipment Group, Inc. and Proseal uk Limited. The purchases were projected to generate between USD 80 and USD 85 million in revenue in 2019.
   

This individual quick freezing (IQF) market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million & Units from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product Type

• IQF Fruits
• IQF Vegetables
• IQF Seafood
• IQF Poultry
• IQF Meat
• IQF Dairy Products
• IQF Convenience Food

Market, By Equipment type

• Tunnel Freezers
• Spiral Freezers
•  Box Freezers
• Other

Market, By Technology

• Mechanical IQF
• Cryogenic IQF

Market, By Packaging Type

• Bags
• Cartons
• Trays
• Others

Market, By Application

• Food Processing Industry
• Retail
• Catering and HoReCa

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct Sales
• Distributors/Wholesalers
• Online Retailers
• Specialty Stores
• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets

The above information has been provided for the following regions and countries:

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