FOOD IRRADIATION MARKET ANALYSIS

Food irradiation is a process in which gamma rays, electron beam, and X-rays are used to sterilize, disinfect, and preserve food. Irradiation helps to reduce food spoilage by insects, bacteria, and parasites.

Global food irradiation market was valued at US$ 199.4 Billion in 2021 in terms of revenue, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period (2022 to 2030).

Drivers

Increasing demand for food irradiation amongst the consumer is a major driving factor for growth of the global food irradiation market, owing to increasing consumer acceptance for food irradiation in the market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of United States of America approved irradiation of fresh vegetables and fruits as a phytosanitary treatment. The FDA determined that food irradiation process is safe and effective in providing protection against spoilage of fruit and vegetables.

Increasing concerns over the food-borne diseases and high food losses from infection, contamination, and spoilage are some of the key factors driving the food irradiation market. According to the WHO (World Health Organisation) report, in May 2022, an estimated 600 million - almost 1 in 10 people in the world fall ill after eating contaminated food and 420,000 die every year. Moreover, US$ 110 billion globally lost each year in productivity and medical expenses resulting from unsafe food in low- and middle-income countries. The rising food contamination cases are driving the market for the global food irradiation.

In terms of revenue, North America held a dominant position in market in 2021, and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This is owing to increasing consumer preference and acceptance of food irradiation technology. Furthermore, increasing consumer awareness about benefits of food irradiation is another factor driving growth of the market in the region. Advantages of food irradiation such as reduction of chemical use and process safety. The advantages of food irradiation such as reduction pathogenic microorganisms, decontamination, extension of shelf life, and disinfestation is another factor driving the food irradiation market growth in the region.

Figure 1. Global Food Irradiation Market Value Share (%), By Region, 2021

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Market Restraints

High cost of food irradiation method is one of the major factors that is expected to hamper growth of the market over the forecast period. Food irradiation requires facilities in addition to the processing plant itself. Specialized laboratories are needed to perform dosimetry tests to ensure that safety standards and quality control and once the treatment has been applied a basic infrastructure must ensure that irradiated foods are properly handled, packaged, and stored (including cold storage). Investment will also be required to train the specialized manpower required for effective application of radiation food processing. Both the cases require high cost, which is the major restraining factors for the growth of the global food irradiation market.

Market Trends

Growing consumer awareness of food irradiation's importance and the rising adoption of emerging technologies such as ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and high pressure treatments used for the food processing which is a non-toxic food processing option, these are the key trends in the global food irradiation market. Sterilized foods are in high demand from hospitals, particularly for AIDS and chemotherapy patients. These foods assist in enhancing immunity by providing physical strength. Growing concerns regarding food safety, as well as technological advancements to improve the efficiency of these equipment is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

Figure 2. Global Food Irradiation Market Value Share (%), By Source of Radiation, 2021

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X-ray radiation segment held significant market share in the global food irradiation market due to increasing consumer preferences for X-ray radiation. Use of X-ray radiation technique offers long shelf life to foods such as meat, poultry, and spices. In food irradiation, X-ray radiation eliminates pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms such as bacteria and insects from the food.

Recent Developments

• In May 2020, The Finance minister of India, Nirmala Sitaraman announced the establishment of the public-private partnership mode for the food preservation. The food irradiation technology is been accepted for the benefits such as enhancing shelf life, reducing post-harvest losses, and also help to increase several horticultural commodities. The government will also establish more food irradiation plants across the India under the department of Atomic Energy.
• In September 2021, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) included food radiation processing as a new type of business opportunity to the FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal for food business licensing. In this respect, the food authority has issued an order stating that such food business operators would only be granted a Central license.
• In October 2021, The Phillipines Board of Investments (BOI) approved the project of Irradiation Solutions Inc.(ISI) as a new operator of essential services under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. The project will increase the food irradiation capability of the Philippines. The project will increase the annual food irradiation capacity by 440 metric tons per year.

Competitive Section

Major players operating in the global food irradiation market include Sterigenics International, Inc., Ionisos SA., Gray Star, Inc., Reviss Services Ltd., Nordion Inc., Sadex Corporation, Steris Isomedix Services, Scantech Sciences Inc., Steri-Tek, and Symec Engineers (India) Pvt. Ltd. Etc.