Processed fruit and vegetables packaging managed to record modest growth in Vietnam in 2023, due to growing demand for convenience in food consumption, with such products offering consumers easy-to-prepare and ready-to-use options. These products save time and effort in meal preparation, which appeals to busy households. In addition, as awareness of health and nutrition increases, there is a growing interest amongst consumers in incorporating fruits and vegetables into their diet.

With shelf stable products dominating processed fruit and vegetables in packaging unit volume terms, metal food cans continued to be the dominant pack type in the overall processed fruit and vegetables category in 2023. While shelf stable fruit and vegetables suffer from some negative perceptions from a health perspective, as shelf stable fruit is perceived as being high in sugar and preservatives, and the shelf stable format is generally seen as less nutritious than fresh fruit and vegetable pr

Shelf stable fruit and vegetable packaging is dominated by metal food cans and glass jars. Most shelf stable fruit and vegetables packed in metal food cans sold in Ukraine are imported, and a wide variety of sizes are available – from single servings to family sizes. In shelf stable vegetables, glass jars lead metal food cans, but plastic pouches grew in popularity during the review period due to their light weight and low cost. While metal food cans are the dominant type of packaging for shelf

Traditionally, metal food cans have been an important pack type in shelf stable fruit and vegetables, which they still were at the end of the review period. Metal food cans have unmatched barrier properties. The robust metal packaging ensures that air, moisture and sunlight cannot reach the product, and therefore maintains optimal freshness. Furthermore, the durability of this pack type keeps the delicate fruit or vegetables inside safe during transport and handling. They are also recyclable, wh

Shelf stable beans were the only category in shelf stable fruit and vegetables that registered positive growth in Spain in 2023. As staple products in the Spanish diet, beans are widely used in traditional dishes and benefit from stable demand. The “Back to Basics” trend during economic downturns has led consumers to seek affordable, nutritious meal solutions, with beans providing a cost-effective protein source compared to meat or fish. Post-pandemic, busier lifestyles have shifted consumer pre

Metal food cans remained the preferred pack type in processed fruit and vegetables packaging in 2023, primarily because of an ability to preserve the freshness and quality of the contents. Metal food cans provide an effective barrier against light and oxygen, ensuring that processed fruits and vegetables maintain their flavour and nutritional value over an extended shelf life. Their tamper-resistant nature adds to the assurance of product safety. Furthermore, metal food cans are sturdy and durab

Metal food cans remained the most popular packaging type for processed fruit and vegetables in 2023, driven by their strength in the largest category of shelf stable fruit and vegetables. The second most popular pack type is glass jars, with this pack type often favoured by premium brands. Glass jars allow consumers to see the vibrant colours and textures of the processed fruit or vegetables. This is not only visually appealing, but also allows them to see the quality of the produce before makin

Frozen processed potatoes, the only frozen products with visible sales in the overall processed fruit and vegetables category, are packaged only in flexible plastic. This is because this pack type provides an airtight seal that protects the potatoes from air, moisture and light, which helps maintain their freshness and quality, while protecting them from freezer burn and moisture loss. Moreover, its lightweight and durable nature also reduces transportation costs, making it an efficient choice f

Total processed fruit and vegetables packaging volumes in Italy saw low growth in 2023, with increases for both frozen and shelf stable processed fruit and vegetables. With consumers becoming increasingly conscious about the traceability of raw materials, detailed information on various processing stages is driving consumer demand in processed fruit and vegetables. Manufacturers are therefore now prioritising the provision of comprehensive information on the packaging. Conserve Italia, a leader

Total processed fruit and vegetables packaging maintained growth in Thailand in 2023, with increases in unit volumes across all categories. Shelf stable fruit continued to account for the highest packaging volumes within processed fruit and vegetables in 2023. Metal food cans remained the dominant pack type in shelf stable fruit packaging in 2023. Shelf stable fruits are in demand because the tropical climate produces a lot of fresh fruits, and to make these fruits last longer and be able to con

Metal food cans are the preferred pack type for shelf stable vegetables due to their robustness and ability to maintain freshness and nutritional value over extended periods. The sturdy construction of metal cans provides a reliable barrier against light, oxygen and contaminants, ensuring that vegetables retain their flavour and texture without the need for refrigeration. However, despite the continued dominance of metal food cans, brick liquid cartons are slowly gaining share in this category,

Total processed fruit and vegetables packaging volumes maintained low growth in Switzerland in 2023. Although frozen processed fruit and vegetables accounted for lower packaging volumes in this year, it saw a higher growth rate than shelf stable fruit and vegetables, as freezing is increasingly believed to be the best way to retain the nutritional value and freshness of products, making them an attractive choice. In 2023, within frozen processed fruit and vegetables, the packaging volumes of fro

Total processed fruit and vegetables packaging volumes saw a second year of decline in the Netherlands in 2023, although this was a normalisation process after seeing exceptional growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and volumes remained above the 2019 level. However, while shelf stable fruit and vegetables saw rising packaging volumes, the larger frozen processed fruit and vegetables category saw a decline. Within frozen processed vegetables, one of the main pack types, folding cartons, took a h

Processed fruit and vegetables packaging continued to grow in Brazil in 2023,. Consumers are increasingly looking for convenient and ready-to-eat food options, but also appreciate the extended shelf life that comes with processed fruit and vegetables. The convenience and portion control offered by packaging, along with branding and marketing opportunities, have further contributed to the growth in processed fruit and vegetables. In addition, packaging plays a vital role in ensuring food safety a

In recent years, the demand for frozen fruit has been increasing as consumers embrace convenient on-the-go consumption trends. In 2023, this trend was notably evident in the increased popularity of frozen fruit packaged in plastic pouches. This pack type saw very strong growth in frozen fruit in 2023, as players and consumers appreciated its practicality and ease of storage. Leading brands like Frut have responded to this demand by introducing products such as mango chunks in 350g pack sizes. Ma

After several years of solid growth since the pandemic started in 2020, total processed fruit and vegetables packaging volumes declined in Turkey in 2023. However, while frozen processed fruit and vegetables maintained solid although slower growth, this was outweighed by the decline seen in the dominant category of shelf stable fruit and vegetables. An increasing number of consumers are aware of the nutritional benefits of frozen fruit and vegetables, which are often perceived as a convenient an

Total processed fruit and vegetables packaging volumes saw growth in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Frozen processed fruit and vegetables saw a strong increase in this year, and flexible plastic was the only notable pack type used for such products, which can be attributed to two major factors. First, the transparency of flexible plastic allows consumers to visually assess the product’s freshness before purchase. Second, its ability to conform to irregular shapes is ideal for containing various shapes an

Total processed and fruit and vegetables packaging volumes maintained slow, stable growth in 2023. Within frozen processed potatoes, flexible plastic was the only pack type with notable packaging volumes in South Korea in 2023, due to its versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness. It offers excellent barrier properties, protecting frozen processed potatoes from moisture, air, and contaminants, thus preserving the quality and flavour over an extended period. In addition, flexible plastic pa

In Germany, total packaging volumes of processed fruit and vegetables declined in 2023, with falling units across all categories. The decline in shelf stable fruit and vegetables in 2023 was primarily due to the growing consumer preference for fresh, organic produce. Environmental concerns over packaging waste, particularly non-recyclable materials, have been pushing consumers towards minimally packaged fresh options. The trend towards local and seasonal eating is further reducing the demand for

Frozen processed potatoes saw one of the strongest growth rates in processed fruit and vegetables in terms of packaging volumes in India in 2023. These are increasingly popular as a snacking option in the country. Exposure to limited-service restaurants is encouraging some consumers to cook these products at home, considering their long shelf life and quick preparation. In addition, producers of frozen processed potatoes have adapted to local palates by featuring Indian flavours, which are becom

Total processed fruit and vegetables packaging saw a notable decline in 2023. Although actual declines were seen across all pack types, some performed better than others. For instance, despite the fact that it already dominated processed fruit and vegetables packaging in Japan, flexible plastic saw an above-average performance, and therefore saw a slight increase in its share in in 2023. This trend was driven by the growing demand for convenient and shelf-stable products. Flexible plastic packag

Shelf stable fruit player GoGo squeeZ is constantly innovating its packaging in order to align with its sustainability goals, with initiatives such as transitioning its aluminium/plastic retort pouch packaging to use 100% recycled materials in 2020 or partnering with TerraCycle to reward consumers for collecting and returning used pouches. In 2023, the brand took another step towards this goal by reformulating the twist-off closures for its pouch packaging so that they use less plastic. Accordin

In 2023, processed fruit and vegetables, and its packaging, experienced a difficult year. The primary factor behind the category’s sales decline was the stability and even occasional reductions in the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout 2023. This saw consumers opt to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables from local groceries rather than selecting less natural processed alternatives. In 2022, the prices of canned fruit and vegetables had increased far less than their fresh counterparts

Shelf stable fruit dominates processed fruit and vegetables in China, with glass jars the dominant pack type within shelf stable fruit. Glass jars are popular for offering superior preservation qualities, effectively sealing in freshness, flavour and nutrients, which is critical for maintaining the quality of shelf stable fruit products over extended periods. In addition, glass is perceived as a premium and environmentally-friendly packaging material. Its recyclability aligns with the increasing