Stand-up pouches drive global food packaging growth

Almost two trillion food packaging units were sold in 2014 - a global increase of 3%. The increasing popularity of stand-up pouches has been significant in this increase, according to Euromonitor International.

While still not the most widely used plastic pack type in the food industry, the stand-up pouch is definitely the fastest growing. The category is forecast to experience a 6% average yearly growth through 2014-19 as many brands add it to their packaging portfolios.

“The stand-up pouch is one of the success stories from this year’s packaging research data,” said Rosemarie Downey, head of packaging research at Euromonitor.

“The pouch is gaining a stronger presence, being used as a microwaveable pack solution in ready meals, rice and pasta; a share pack in biscuits, confectionery and sweet and savoury snacks; and a single-serve pack consumed directly from the pouch in ice-cream, yoghurt and baby food. The stand-up pouch ticks all the boxes.”

China and India are expected to contribute 58% of all food packaging growth in 2015, while the Asia-Pacific region alone recorded a 5% growth in 2014, translating to an additional 320 billion packs.

“China and India are the indomitable powerhouses in the global food packaging industry,” added Downey.

“Rising levels of urbanisation and disposable incomes combined with a continuing shift in buying habits from unpackaged to packaged makes these important countries for development.”

More information about Euromonitor’s packaging research is available from www.euromonitor.com/packaging.