Plastic Based Meat Packaging Market Report 2026

The plastic based meat packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $9.72 billion in 2025 to $10.21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising consumption of packaged meat products, expansion of modern retail and cold chain infrastructure, increased focus on food safety and hygiene, growth of processed meat industry, availability of cost-effective plastic packaging materials.

The plastic based meat packaging market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.27 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulatory pressure on sustainable packaging, rising demand for recyclable meat packaging, expansion of ready-to-cook meat consumption, growing adoption of advanced packaging technologies, innovation in lightweight and mono-material plastics. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging, rising demand for high-barrier plastic films, growing use of recyclable and rpet materials, expansion of portion-control and convenience packaging, enhanced focus on shelf-life extension technologies.

The increasing consumption of frozen and fresh meat products is expected to drive growth in the plastic-based meat packaging market. Fresh meat is sold chilled without preservation, while frozen meat is preserved through freezing to extend shelf life and maintain quality. The rising demand for these products is driven by urbanization and consumers’ need for convenience and longer-lasting food options, helping reduce waste. Plastic-based packaging protects meat by blocking moisture, oxygen, and contaminants, preventing freezer burn in frozen meat and maintaining hygiene and freshness for fresh meat during storage and handling. For example, in March 2025, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that Australians increased their meat and poultry consumption by 2.3% in 2023-24, averaging 145 grams per person daily. This trend is propelling the demand for effective plastic meat packaging solutions.

Leading companies in the market are innovating sustainable packaging to meet growing consumer demand for eco-friendly options. Sustainable meat packaging employs biodegradable or recyclable materials and energy-efficient processes, reducing environmental impact while ensuring meat safety and freshness. In September 2024, Amcor Plc, a Switzerland-based packaging company, introduced Clear-Tite 40, a shrink bag for fresh and processed meat designed to reduce plastic use and carbon footprint. At 40 microns thick, it achieves a 19% reduction in weight compared to standard 50-micron bags, while maintaining shelf life and freshness, and delivers an estimated 16% reduction in carbon footprint. This innovation also helps brands potentially lower Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees.

In April 2025, Amcor Plc acquired Berry Global to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its position as a global leader in sustainable and flexible packaging solutions. Berry Global is a US-based provider of plastic-based meat packaging.

Major companies operating in the plastic based meat packaging market are Amcor Plc, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Pactiv Evergreen Inc., Sonoco Products Company, Sealed Air Corporation, ProAmpac, Klöckner Pentaplast (kp), Winpak Ltd., Printpack Inc., Coveris Holdings S.A., RKW Group, Genpak LLC, Taghleef Industries Group, Faerch Group, Viskase Companies Inc., Lacerta Group LLC, Safepack Industries Limited, Specialty Polyfilms, Avoncourt Packaging, NorStar Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the plastic-based meat packaging market in 2025. The regions covered in the plastic based meat packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the plastic based meat packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The plastic-based meat packaging market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as preservation, protection, and information display. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The plastic-based meat packaging market also includes sales of vacuum seals, films, and shrink sleeves. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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