PUREED FOOD MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

Market Size and Trends

The global pureed food market is estimated to be valued at USD 864.7 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1,224.9 Mn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2024 to 2031.

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The growing pediatric population and rising health issues among the aging population are the major drivers boosting the demand for pureed food products. With rising disposable incomes and growing focus on nutrition-rich food, the pureed food market revenues are expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The pureed food market is expected witness a positive trend over the coming years. The increasing consumer awareness about the health benefits of pureed food products is prompting many manufacturers to offer innovative and organic puree products. Moreover, the rising demand from institutional sectors such as nursing homes and hospitals is also supporting the growth of the pureed food market. However, high prices of these specialized food products may hamper the mass adoption restricting the market size.

Growing Elderly Population

As life expectancy continues to increase globally, the elderly population aged 65 years and above is on the rise. According to experts, the number of people aged 65 years or older is projected to grow dramatically from about 524 million in 2010 to nearly 1.5 billion in 2050. With age comes physiological changes that make it difficult for some to chew and swallow solid foods properly. This puts them at a higher risk of choking hazards or malnutrition if proper food is not consumed. Pureed foods become highly essential for this demographic as they are completely smooth and require very little chewing effort, thus making consumption safer and easier. The demand is further driven by the fact that age-related conditions like arthritis also diminish the chewing ability over time. With a greater number of people expected to join the senior age brackets, the market for pureed meals and other soft, easy-to-eat food variants tailored for the elderly is poised for sizable gains. Food manufacturers are proactively launching new product lines and formulations that specially address the dietary needs of the senior population.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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In the modern world, people have increasingly busier and more hectic lives. Long working hours, traffic congestion, and multiple daily responsibilities leave little time for activities like cooking elaborate meals from scratch on a regular basis. The desire for convenience and quick meal solutions has never been more prominent. At the same time, health awareness and nutrition intake remain important priorities that cannot be compromised. This is where commercially prepared pureed foods have emerged as a practical solution. They check all the necessary boxes as they are ready-to-eat with no preparation time, nutrient-dense to meet daily dietary goals, and easy to consume on the go. Working professionals, young families, and single individuals with minimal cooking skills but active schedules form a sizable addressable market. Food companies are leveraging technology and innovative processing techniques to produce an ample variety of pureed soups, dips, desserts, and meals that cater to this lifestyle demand. Their long shelf-life and portable formats suit the fast-paced routines of time-starved urban populations.

Key Takeaways from Analyst:

The global pureed food market remains an important category for food companies targeting baby food consumers as well as the growing elderly population segment. The market continues to be driven by increasing health awareness amongst customers and focus on convenience foods. Rising disposable incomes in developing nations is further expanding the customer base.

North America will continue dominating the pureed food market over the forecast period owing to high health consciousness and aging population in countries like the U.S., Germany, the U.K., and France. However, Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest growing region with China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries witnessing rapid growth.

Food companies view the pureed food market as an attractive category for gaining new customers at an early stage itself through baby foods. Players are innovating product offerings catering to the nutritional needs of babies, toddlers as well as elderly people, thus opening up new opportunities. The trend towards organic and natural products also provides opportunities for organic pureed foods.

Market Challenges: High price of organic pureed food products

The high price of organic pureed food products is a major challenge restraining the growth of the global pureed food market. Organic pureed foods, which are made from organic ingredients without the use of any chemicals, pesticides or preservatives, come at a significant premium as compared to conventional pureed foods. The production cost of organic pureed foods is considerably higher since organic farming and ingredients are more expensive to source. Additionally, the certification process for organic products further increases their costs. This makes organic pureed foods out of reach for many consumers, especially those from lower-income and developing economies.

Market Opportunities: Product line extensions and new product launches

Product line extensions and new product launches could bring great opportunities in the global pureed food market. With rising health concerns and changing lifestyles, consumers are increasingly demanding easy to eat and easily digestible food options. This provides a huge potential for companies to roll out innovative pureed food products catering to the specific nutritional and taste requirements of different consumer groups.  Manufacturers can consider developing a wide variety of pureed food products made from different ingredients and customizable textures based on individual needs. For example, they can launch line extensions adding superfoods rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals to the existing pureed product lines. This will help address the growing wellness trends. Similarly, creating pureed baby food product lines matching independent toddler nutrition needs at different stages could be highly beneficial. The products may include a blend of single vegetables, fruits or grains instead of multiple ingredients mash. 

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In terms of product type, vegetable puree is expected to contribute 38.8% share of the market in 2024, owing to the growing consumer focus on nutrition and healthy eating habits. Vegetable purees provide an easy way for consumers to get their daily intake of fruits and vegetables, especially for baby food applications. Parents are actively seeking vegetable puree options that ensure their babies and toddlers get necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients through home-cooked pureed meals. The clean label and natural positioning of vegetable purees without any additives or preservatives further boosts their appeal. Manufacturers are innovating with varied vegetable combinations purees to make the products tasty and interesting for children. Advancements in processing technologies allow for higher retention of nutrients in the final pureed products. As consumers continue to pay greater attention to ingredient listing and nutritional content on food packages, the vegetable puree segment is expected to capture a wider consumer base.

Insights, by Packaging Type: Cans as a shelf-stable packaging extend the reach of pureed foods

In terms of packaging type, cans is expected to contribute 36.5% share of the market in 2024, owing to their advantages as a shelf-stable solution. Being an airtight package that prevents contamination, canned pureed food items can sit on retail shelves for longer without the need for refrigeration. This expands their geographic availability and access for consumers. The stacking strength and robustness of metal cans allow for effective packaging, transportation, and warehouse storage of pureed foods. Manufacturers rely on cans for products aimed at emerging markets or regions with unreliable power infrastructure and lack of cold chain logistics. End consumers too prefer the portability and convenience of canned purees for outdoor picnics or traveling purposes. The recycling friendly nature of aluminum cans is garnering attention in recent years as well. Continuous innovations to make cans more appealing visually through shapes, sizes, and labeling are keeping the canned pureed food segment ahead of the curve.

Insights, by Distribution Channel: Supermarkets centralize pureed food shopping experience

In terms of distribution channel, supermarkets/hypermarkets is expected to contribute 41.2% share of the market in 2024, owing to their wide product assortment and one-stop shopping convenience for consumers. These large format stores stock entire ranges of pureed food varieties from multiple brands under one roof. Busy parents and caregivers find it easier to shop for the household's pureed food needs in the comfort of a well-organized supermarket. Product comparisons are facilitated through side-by-side displays. Supermarkets often promote new or seasonal pureed items through temporary price-cuts and in-store tastings to drive higher volumes. Their extensive cold-chain infrastructure ensures safe transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive pureed foods until purchase. Loyalty programs and private labels are other factors that make supermarkets a preferred shopping destination and help boost their share of the pureed food market.

Regional Insights

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North America has dominated the global pureed food market for a long time owing to large consumer base and strong foothold of major players in the region. The region is expected to account for 36.7% of the market share in 2024. The U.S. accounts for majority of the North America pureed food market. Well-established distribution channels of leading brands and availability of a variety of options catering to diverse consumer preferences have favored market growth. Additionally, high purchasing power and awareness regarding nutrition and wellness have boosted the demand for baby food and easy-to-consume options for elderly population.  Major brands have been investing in new product launches and marketing campaigns to strengthen their market position. Easy availability through large retail chains and online platforms have made pureed products highly accessible. Companies have also focused on private label offerings to target price-sensitive consumers. Solid regulatory framework and robust food safety standards ensure supply of safe pureed foods. However, growing health consciousness may shift consumer preference to more natural alternatives. But overall, strong economic conditions and high spending on child and elderly diets will continue to support market expansion.

The Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest growing market for pureed foods globally over the past few years. China and India in particular offer immense untapped growth opportunities. Rising disposable incomes, growing middle class population, and increasing awareness about nutrition are key growth drivers. Rapid urbanization has fueled the adoption of convenience foods while the nuclear family structure has boosted the demand for baby foods. Developing markets provide multi-fold opportunities for pureed food players to cater to evolving needs of their large and young demographic profiles. Local players have strengthened their presence by offering products tailored to regional tastes at affordable price points. However, high import tariffs and non-tariff barriers in some nations pose challenges. Thus, companies need pragmatic market entry strategies involving partnerships with local players to gain footprint in the fast-developing the Asia Pacific pureed food market.

Market Report Scope

Key Developments

• In 2024, a new range of natural fruit puree flavors with a 'just crushed fruit taste' was launched. The flavors are designed to help food and beverage manufacturers boost real fruit flavor without the cost and supply issues that may come with the use of real fruit puree.
• In 2023, a flavor specialist, I.T.S, launched a range of natural puree flavors with a ‘just crushed fruit taste’ to help fruit beer brewers as well as other food and beverage manufacturers manage finished product costs in the face of difficult supply issues of fruit puree
• In 2022, JBT launched new technologies for juice and purée processing
• In January 2020, Keytone Dairy launched its new SuperFood Frozen Purees range under its recently-acquired Super Cubes brand. The puree range includes mixed berry, mango, and banana.

*Definition: The global pureed food market consists of baby food products that are pureed, blended, or liquefied to a smooth and lump-free consistency. These pureed foods are easy for babies to consume and digest as their gastrointestinal systems mature. The market offers purees made from fruits and vegetables, meats, cereals, and grains to support the nutritional needs of infants and toddlers. Key players offer a wide variety of pureed packaged foods in jars, pouches, and other convenient formats.

Market Segmentation

• Product Type Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Vegetable Puree
  • Fruit Puree
  • Meat Puree
  • Cereal Puree
  • Others
• Packaging Type Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Glass Jar
  • Tins
  • Cans
  • Plastic Containers
  • Others
• Distribution Channel Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
  • Convenience Stores
  • Online Retail
  • Others
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Mn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Blossom Foods
  • Döhler Group
  • Elite Pureed Meals
  • Gourmet Pureed
  • Ingredion Incorporated
  • Grünewald International
  • Fenix
  • AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
  • Polproduct
  • Uren Food Group Limited
  • Kiril Mischeff
  • Prodalim
  • SVZ Industrial Fruit & Vegetable Ingredients
  • Healthy Berries LTD.
  • Smoothe Foods
  • The Punjab Kitchen Ltd
  • SVZ
  • Little Spoon, Inc.
  • Moms Meals
  • Thick-It