Meat + Poultry - February 2016 - 62

PA C K A G I N G S O L U T I O N S

AT HOME, A HIGH DEMAND
FOR CASE-READY
Breaking down the global meat packaging environment, there
are some national and regional trends of note, according to
Future Market Insights' (FMI) new meat study, "Meat Packaging
Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment
2015-2025."
According to the report, North America remains the largest
market for meat packaging, followed by Europe. The FMI study
predicts that developed markets in North America and Europe
are expected to exhibit a faster growth rate by 2025.
Nandini Roy, an analyst in FMI's food and beverages
department, underscores some of the distinct characteristics of
the US and Europe markets.
"Meat producers in the US and Europe are more aggressive
in this arena, while those based in Asia and other emerging
markets are lagging in terms of technology adoption," she
points out.
That said, there are some differences between America and
Europe when it comes to meat packaging preferences and
trends.
"In Europe, demand for stand-up pouches is gaining traction,
while the US market is characterized by high demand for caseready packaging," Roy notes. Another difference is the use of
smaller portion sizes in the UK, which are often tailored for
singles, couples or at most two couples.
Europe offers a certain potential for case-ready packaging. "In
Europe, 'back-store' meat using stretch overwrap is prevalent
as compared to centrally prepared meat. New technologies
such as vacuum skin packaging and carbon monoxide modified
atmosphere packaging are expected to lengthen the window of
opportunity for fresh meat packaging in Europe," Roy says.
Even with some of its recent fiscal woes, China is expected to
be a growth area for meat packaging, due to a rise in personal
income, according to FMI's findings.

MEAT+ POULTRY | 02.16 | www.meatpoultry.com

"Looking at the numbers,
around 320 million
metric tons of meat is
the annual average meat
production worldwide..."
- NANDINI ROY

growth in the processed meat industry along
with accelerated foodservice revenue growth,"
she says.

DEMAND FOR MEAT - AND PACKAGING
The study confirms burgeoning consumption
of meat and an accompanying increase in
production to meet demand in certain parts of
the world, including developing economies of
India, Russia, Brazil and China.
"With the emergence of various
geographies as a single market and improved
economic conditions in emerging markets,
demand for raw and processed food
products, including meat, is certainly high
as compared to the last few years," Roy
remarks. "Looking at the numbers, around
320 million metric tons of meat is the annual
average meat production worldwide, with
leading meat-producing countries such as
India, Australia, Brazil and the US engaged in
large-scale exports."
As meat and poultry consumption rises, so
does the need for packaging.
"Increasing demand for meat and meat
products catalyzed several allied industries
such as meat packaging," Roy says. "Both of
the industries - meat production and meat
packaging - hold synchronous relation and,
thus, participants in the meat packaging
industry are optimistic about market
conditions."
One area of change in meat packaging is
tied to shelf life.
"With a growing global consumer base,
rising environmental issues and increasing
health awareness among consumers, meat
packaging today demands longer shelf life,
along with enhanced focus on quality and safety
in line with international standards," Roy says.
A different kind of consumer base is also
driving trends in meat packaging in the near and
longer-term future, according to the FMI study.

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Meat + Poultry - February 2016

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