Demographic and demand are changing in favor of the U.S. Produce Packaging Market.

The sustained demand for healthy snacks has driven the demand for produce packaging in the U.S., which is forecast to rise 2.4% per year to $5.7 billion in 2019.

Fresh-cut produce and healthy snacks require high-value packaging to extend the shelf life of contents. This and the preference for packaging that makes produce preparation more convenient, such as microwaveable film, or that cuts back on food waste by providing only enough produce to prepare a single meal will contribute to a higher percentage of produce sold packaged and boost demand for a greater variety in package offerings, has led to significant increase in market demand.

Demographic factors such as the aging population and growth in Hispanic and Asian American nationalities will aid demand for fresh produce overall while the large Millennial population will drive demand for packaged produce.

Convenient, marketable, sustainable packages to drive growth
Among packaging materials, the fastest growth will be observed in those that provide convenience and portability as well as those with the ability to showcase the freshness of the produce and provide product differentiation through high-quality graphics. Plastic containers, which include clamshells, cups and other rigid packages, will register rapid gains through 2019 as they easily ship and present a clean image in retail settings. Plastic bags, primarily stand-up pouch types, will also see healthy growth as technological advances allow this package format to replace options with less shelf appeal, such as flat bags or bulk displays, as well as those with a less environmentally friendly profile, such as rigid plastic containers that usually require more material.