Abstract
US demand to approach $18 billion in 2013
Demand for foodservice disposables is projected to approach $18 billion in
2013. Though advances will decelerate from the past decade due to slower
growth in consumer spending and more moderate material price increases, demand
for disposables will be supported by a rebound in away-from-home food
expenditures as the economy recovers. Rising away-from-home food expenditures
will also reflect faster-paced lifestyles and the willingness of consumers to
pay for convenient, ready prepared foods. Packaging and serviceware made from
biodegradable materials will post robust advances from a low base, the result
of increased price competitiveness with petroleum-based plastic materials;
rapidly expanding capacity; heightened consumer interest in environmental
issues; increased pressure on foodservice operators to reduce their
environmental footprint; and growing bans on polystyrene- based disposables.
Foodservice packaging to be fastest growing products
The fastest gains are anticipated for packaging products, fueled by
aboveaverage revenue growth in the large limited service segment, which
accounts for nearly half of overall restaurant revenues but generates a much
higher share of foodservice disposables demand. Expanding menu options in
limited service restaurants and longer hours to incorporate breakfast and late
night snacking will also bode well for related packaging. Wraps and lids will
register the fastest growth, with most container types also expected to
register healthy gains. The popularity of takeout food from full service
restaurants will provide a further boost for packaging, especially since these
restaurants often use higher-value disposable containers designed to maintain
food temperature and minimize leakage problems. Additionally, packaging gains
will be supported by expanded prepared food offerings in supermarkets and
other retail stores, along with increased catering activity by limited and
full service restaurants.
Retail, vending market to see fastest annual growth
Eating and drinking places, by far the largest foodservice disposables market,
are expected to log growth in line with the overall average. Advances will be
driven by expanding menu options in quick service restaurants and increased
requirements for disposables among full service restaurants. Retail and
vending will represent the fastest growing disposables market, propelled by
the growing presence of prepared foods in supermarkets, warehouse clubs,
convenience stores and other retail stores. Upgraded coffee and the increased
availability of fresh salads and sandwiches in convenience stores will also
assist disposables demand in the retail market.
Greater use expected for recycled/biodegradable
materials, source reduction Foodservice disposables suppliers are increasingly
emphasizing the development of sustainable packaging, which seeks to make
greater use of packaging materials and systems that promote economic and
environmental health, and which emphasizes the use of recycled raw materials
as much as possible. As a result, a plethora of new foodservice disposables
products using recycled content or biodegradable materials have entered the
market in the past few years, with heightened activity in all product
segments. Sustainability efforts will also drive source reduction activity
such as the lightweighting of products or shifting to flexible packaging.
Study coverage
This new Freedonia industry study, Foodservice Disposables, presents
historical demand data (1998, 2003, 2008) plus forecasts for 2013 and 2018 by
product and market. The study also considers market environment factors,
evaluates market share and profiles industry competitors.
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