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US demand for plastic containers used to package fresh produce is forecast to grow 5.0% per year to $1.6 billion in 2024. Sales growth will be driven by:
- expanding use of higher value containers that offer convenience, superior performance and shelf life, and/or an improved environmental footprint (e.g., recycled and recyclable plastics)
- increasing sales of ready-to-eat (RTE) salads, which often employ clamshells and two-piece plastic containers due to their transparency and ability to boost shelf appeal in pouch- and bag-heavy salad cold cases in stores
- the popularity of pre-cut produce such as apple slices, melon spears, and carrot sticks – typically sold in tubs, cups, or other rigid plastic containers – among both consumers and foodservice establishments
Additionally, sales will be bolstered by rebounding berry production – the leading application for produce plastic containers. However, production declines in other key fruit and vegetable types, including the sizable tomato segment, will limit stronger gains.
Produce Plastic Container Sales Accelerate Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Sales of produce plastic containers accelerated in 2020, boosted by several trends of the COVID-19 pandemic – including increased consumer grocery sales and safety concerns driving demand for prepackaged produce. Despite weakened demand in the foodservice sector due to dine-in volume restrictions, the produce industry was more resilient than anticipated through the pandemic, with growers and shippers able to adjust to new production, marketing, and transportation challenges, supporting produce plastic container demand increases. Prepackaged fruits and vegetables further benefited from the rise in online grocery orders and curbside pickup, as they typically feature fixed weights and prices and are more amenable to online shopping than loose produce.
Clamshells & Other Plastic Containers Continue to Supplant Bags & Pouches in Produce Aisle
The main driver of sales growth will continue to be the replacement of commodity bags and pillow pouches with plastic containers in produce applications due to plastic’s good protective and display properties, especially with RTE fruits and vegetables such as grapes, onions, and tomatoes. For instance, salad producers are seeking to boost market value gains with upscale salad offerings in more attractive, value-added packaging, including clamshells and two-piece plastic containers. In addition, unit sales of tubs, cups, and bowls, which are already widely employed with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, will benefit from their increasing use for packaging salads with dressings or other separate components
Sustainability Remains a Priority for Premium, Organic, & Health-Focused Brands
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a greater focus on cleanliness and sanitation for food packaging, sustainability is regaining strength as a key focus for plastic container suppliers – especially since consumers who purchase the premium fresh fruits and vegetables for which these higher value containers are most often used tend to be environmentally conscious. Consequently, plastic container producers are focusing on improving product recyclability and increasing use of recycled content to mitigate negative consumer perceptions about the environmental impact of plastics.
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Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. About This Report
Report Details
Study Scope & Product Description
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
3. Overview
Historical Market Trends
Demand by Container Type
Clamshells
Tubs, Cups, & Bowls
Other Plastic Containers
Pricing Trends
Competitive Products
4. Factors Impacting Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand
Fresh Produce Industry Outlook
Field to Fork/Farm to Table Packaging
Food Safety
Sustainability
Food Waste/Shelf Life
Recycling & Recycled Content
Biobased Materials
Regulations
5. Produce Applications
Demand by Produce Category
Fresh Fruit
Berries
Melons
Fresh Vegetables
Tomatoes
Onions
Salad
6. Key Suppliers & Market Share
Industry Composition
Market Share
Mergers & Acquisitions
7. Appendix
Scope
Definitions
Freedonia Methodology
Study-Specific Methodology
Sources
Associations & Agencies
Related Studies & Reports
Macroeconomic Assumptions
Economic Environment
Demographics
Consumer Spending
List of Tables
2. About This Report
Table 2-1 | Annual Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand, 2019 - 2021 (million dollars)
3. Overview
Table 3-1 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand, 2009 - 2019 (million dollars)
Table 3-2 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand by Container Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars & billion units)
Table 3-3 | Fresh Produce Plastic Clamshell Demand, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars & billion units)
Table 3-4 | Fresh Produce Plastic Tub, Cup, & Bowl Demand, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars & billion units)
Table 3-5 | Other Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars & billion units)
Table 3-6 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Pricing by Product, 2009 - 2024 (dollars per unit)
4. Factors Impacting Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand
Table 4-1 | US Fresh Produce Production & Consumption, 2009 - 2024 (billion pounds)
5. Produce Applications
Table 5-1 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand by Application, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)
Table 5-2 | Fresh Fruit Plastic Container Demand by Fruit Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars & billion units)
Table 5-3 | Fresh Vegetable Plastic Container Demand by Vegetable Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars & billion units)
Table 5-4 | Fresh Salad Plastic Container Demand, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars & billion units)
6. Key Suppliers & Market Share
Table 6-1 | Selected Mergers & Acquisitions
7. Appendix
Table 7-1 | Relevant HS/HTS Codes
Table 7-2 | Relevant Industry Codes
Table 7-3 | Macroeconomic Indicators, 2009 - 2024 (billion 2012 dollars)
Table 7-4 | Population & Households, 2009 - 2024 (million persons)
Table 7-5 | Personal Consumption Expenditures, 2009 - 2024 (billion dollars)
List of Figures
1. Executive Summary
Figure 1-1 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Market
2. About This Report
Figure 2-1 | Annual Fresh Produce Plastic Container & Total Fresh Produce Packaging Value Demand Growth, 2019 - 2023 (million dollars)
3. Overview
Figure 3-1 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand, 2000 - 2020 (million dollars)
Figure 3-2 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand by Container Type, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)
Figure 3-3 | Fresh Produce Plastic Clamshell Demand Growth, 2009 - 2024 (% CAGR)
Figure 3-4 | Fresh Produce Plastic Tub, Cup, & Bowl Demand Growth, 2009 - 2024 (%CAGR)
Figure 3-5 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Pricing, 2009 - 2024 (dollars per unit)
Figure 3-6 | Comparative Demand Growth: Produce Plastic Containers & Competitive Products, 2014 - 2024 (% CAGR)
5. Produce Applications
Figure 5-1 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Demand by Application, 2009 - 2024 (million dollars)
Figure 5-2 | Fresh Fruit Plastic Container Demand by Fruit Type, 2019 (million dollars)
Figure 5-3 | Fresh Vegetable Plastic Container Demand by Vegetable Type, 2019 (million dollars)
Figure 5-4 | Salad Production & Salad Plastic Container Demand, 2009 - 2024 (billion pounds & million dollars)
6. Key Suppliers & Market Share
Figure 6-1 | Fresh Produce Plastic Container Market Share by Company, 2019 (billion dollars)
7. Appendix
Figure 7-1 | Annual Growth in Real GDP, 2000 - 2019, Compared to 1980 - 2005 Average (percent)
Figure 7-2 | Annual Population Growth, 2004 - 2019 (percent)
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