Convenience foods to drive frozen food packaging

According to Frozen Food Packaging, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., frozen food packaging growth will be driven by the popularity of convenience-type foods, both among consumers and foodservice establishments, the prevalence of microwave ovens, and technological advances in packaging.

Revenue growth in the foodservice industry, which relies heavily on frozen foods, will also bode well for packaging. Additional factors supporting growth will include greater use of value-added components such as susceptors and high-quality graphics for enhanced visual appeal.

Preventing faster growth will be competition from prepared refrigerated food alternatives that are increasingly available in supermarkets and other retail food stores. The study cited the following factors:

• Packaging for frozen specialties and for meat, poultry, and seafood are expected to post the fastest gains among major frozen food applications. Demand for frozen specialties packaging is projected to expand 4.4 percent annually to $2 billion in 2013, propelled by consumer demand for foods offering convenience and value along with quality improvements resulting from packaging innovations.

• Solid prospects for frozen dinner packaging will reflect the growing presence of items incorporating premium ingredients and those positioned as being healthier through reduced calories or the presence of whole-grain ingredients.

• Rigid packaging, such as boxes, tubs and cups, trays, and foil containers, accounts for the majority of frozen food packaging demand and will remain dominant. However, flexible packaging will log faster gains based on advantages of greater cost effectiveness, space savings capability, lighter weight and overall source reduction capabilities. Performance improvements like self-venting films and consumer convenience features such as resealable pouches and bags will also stimulate advances.

The 257-page Frozen Food Packaging report is available for $4,700 by contacting Corinne Gangloff by phone 440.684.9600, fax 440.646.0484 or e-mail [email protected].