Baby Food Packaging Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Material Type (Polymer, Paper, Metal, Glass, Others), By Application (Liquid Milk, Dried Baby Food, Powdered Milk, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

The baby food packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.06% to reach US$6,886.548 million by 2028, from US$4,874.609 million in 2021.

Baby food packaging solutions have come a long way since they were sold in glass jars and cardboard boxes. Nowadays, baby food comes in many innovative and attractive packages, such as metal cans, stand-up pouches, cartons, and thin-wall containers. These containers have become extremely popular because they are lightweight, sanitary, easy to carry, reusable, and safe. 

The baby food packaging market is growing significantly. Growing demand for baby food items is predicted to drive market growth. Rapid urbanization, lifestyle changes, and the rise in disposable income, especially in emerging economies, are increasing the demand for baby food, which in turn is spurring growth for packaging solutions by manufacturers. Other factors, such as the introduction of innovative and eco-friendly packages, the rise in population, and convenience safety concerns among consumers, are also fueling the market expansion.

However, the biggest challenge with baby food packaging is to fulfil customer demands for safety and freshness while promoting environmental sustainability which has been impacting the market growth.

Baby Food Packaging Market Drivers

• Growing demand for baby food  

One of the prime factors augmenting the baby food packaging market growth is the rise in demand for baby food. According to a study by New York University, approximately 90% of American newborns are fed packaged baby food. Countries worldwide are witnessing rapid urbanization which has led to increasing disposable income, resulting in the adoption of modern lifestyle choices. These factors have increased spending on baby food products. Lifestyle changes and an increase in the number of working parents have led to a significant rise in demand for packaged baby food as they are convenient and safe. This has led to a rise in demand for larger pack sizes and more favourable packaging solutions.

Product innovation in terms of design and materials is projected to drive up the demand for baby food packaging solutions even further. Over the last decade, baby food packaging has evolved from glass jars to plastic thermoformed tubs and flexible stand-up pouches with fitments. For instance, in 2022, Sabic, the chemicals industry, announced a collaboration with Ella’s Kitchen, the UK’s number one baby food brand, to make new baby food caps made from recycled plastic.

The market is witnessing innovations in green, recyclable, and sustainable packaging solutions due to rising consumer environmental concerns. For instance, in 2020, Gerber, a Nestlé subsidiary, aims to improve the environmental sustainability of its baby food packaging while maintaining food safety.  The same year, they also introduced a single-material pouch for Gerber's infant food. The "recyclable" pouch is composed of polypropylene (PP) and was created in collaboration with Gualapack, a maker of pre-made spouted pouches.

Baby Food Packaging Market – Geographical Outlook

• Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold a significant amount of the market share during the forecast period

Asia Pacific region will hold a significant amount of market share in baby food packaging. This region will witness high growth during the forecast period owing to the rising usage of packaged infant food items by the urban population.  Rapid urbanization, lifestyle changes, and a rise in disposable income in countries like India, China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia have resulted in the growing demand for packaged baby food in this region. The growing number of working parents, a shift in the demographics, and a rise in the sale of baby food products through online channels have also spurred market growth in this region. Moreover, the emergence of new players with a large variety of baby food options is also driving the demand for the baby food packing market in the Asia Pacific region.

Baby Food Packaging Market Key Developments

• In July 2022, Little Freddies announced that they are launching the UK’s first baby food pouch with an OPRL label intended to carry out home recycling. Their new packaging solution is designed to make recyclability easier for consumers. The pouch is composed of polypropylene (PP), including the cap and spout.
• In August 2021, Heinz introduced a fully recyclable baby food pouch. These polypropylene products have acquired On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) certification. Plastic will be eliminated whenever possible, and by 2025, all of the company's packaging will be recyclable, reused, or compostable.
• In June 2021, An Italian baby food brand, Plasmon, owned by Kraft-Heinz, revamped its "Squeezer and Taste" pack in June 2021.

The Baby Food Packaging Market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

• By Material Type
  • Polymer
  • Paper
  • Metal
  • Glass
  • Others
• By Application
  • Liquid Milk
  • Dried Baby Food
  • Powdered Milk
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
    • Others
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • UK
    • France
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • India
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Others