Dive Brief:
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Consumer eating trends are driving changes in packaging, and package sizes, according to a report by the Freedonia Group.
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Value added packaging – which extends shelf life or enhances the marketability of mature meat types — will continue driving demand for value-added boxes, film, trays and other rigid and flexible packaging.
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Strong gains also will be seen in the near future for niche packaging formats such as pouches and plastic containers.
Dive Insight:
Significant but often nearly invisible changes are occurring food packaging. Some are directly driven by consumer demand, such as for smaller meat packages. Others reflect advances in technology, like today's version of the late century-developed process known as cryovacing, which sealed meat packs while extracting air to extend shelf and refrigerator life. Now, that life-extending is done by “oxygen scavengers” and better engineered packages.
Millennials' tendency to eat on the run, consuming small packages of whatever they fancy at the moment, has led to more sizes and types of packages available to manufactures who want to cater to that age group. Among them are smaller and improved sandwich- and salad-size boxes, many of which can be heated in microwaves.
Any packaging that extends product life, increases visual appeal to consumers, or provides other added value is likely to appeal to manufacturers of assorted food products. The value to them is being able to offer their retailers packages more likely to attract consumers' attention — leading to better returns. The value to consumers is that better designed packaging has better eye appeal, can more clearly display products, and can be both lighter and easier to open and dispose.