Carbon Neutral Food Global Market Report 2025

The carbon neutral food market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $86.2 billion in 2024 to $94.02 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of life-cycle assessments in food production, growth of agroforestry and sustainable land-use models, expansion of organic farming, transition to climate-resilient crop varieties, rising adoption of algae- and fungi-based protein sources.

The carbon neutral food market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to " $133.94 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing consumer preference for sustainable and eco-friendly food, rising demand for plant-based and alternative protein sources, growing consumer awareness about carbon footprints in food production, ethical consumerism and demand for transparent food sourcing, growth of clean-label and low-carbon food certifications. Major trends in the forecast period include investments in carbon offset programs, fast-food and restaurant chains adopting carbon-neutral menus, advancements in carbon capture and storage for food production, development of lab-grown and precision-fermented foods with lower emissions, use of renewable energy in food processing and packaging.

The forecast of 9.3% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by increasing expenses for sustainably certified ingredients from Scandinavia, raising prices for eco-conscious brands.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing demand for sustainable food is projected to drive the expansion of the carbon-neutral food market during the forecast period. Sustainable food encompasses items that are produced, processed, and consumed in ways that are environmentally, socially, and economically responsible, ensuring future generations can meet their needs without harming the planet or public health. This demand surge is largely due to increased consumer awareness about the environmental, social, and health-related consequences of conventional food systems. More consumers are recognizing the high carbon emissions, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss tied to traditional agriculture and food production. The rising interest in sustainable food is pushing producers to adopt carbon-neutral practices, such as using renewable energy, regenerative farming, and carbon offsetting, which together help reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the food supply chain. For example, in January 2025, Sodexo, a France-based food services and facilities management company, reported that in 2024, 68% of consumers continued to favor sustainable food, a figure nearly matching the 69% from the previous year. The company has pledged that by 2030, 70% of its main dishes in the UK and Ireland will qualify as low-carbon, cutting the average carbon footprint of these meals from 2-2.5 kg CO₂e to just 0.9 kg CO₂e. As a result, the increasing appetite for sustainable food is accelerating the growth of the carbon-neutral food market.

Key players in the carbon-neutral food market are prioritizing the development of technologically advanced offerings, such as plant-based meats, to provide sustainable, ethical, and health-conscious alternatives to traditional meat. These products help reduce environmental impact, avoid animal cruelty, and often contain less cholesterol and saturated fat. Plant-based meats are formulated from plant-derived ingredients such as soy, wheat, or peas to mimic the flavor, texture, and nutrition of conventional meat. For instance, in September 2024, vEEF, an Australian meat alternative brand, launched a range of four carbon-neutral products, competitively priced to match or undercut traditional meat. The line includes plant-based smokey sausages, classic sausages, beef mince, and chorizo sausages. These chef-developed items are nutrient-rich and feature 50% less plastic packaging than earlier versions, supporting consumers’ goals of healthier eating, environmental protection, and cost savings.

In October 2024, Smart Foods, a food manufacturer based in Australia, acquired The Aussie Plant-Based Co. for an undisclosed sum. Following the acquisition, Smart Foods resumed operations at The Aussie Plant-Based Co.’s facility on the Sunshine Coast, with plans to scale distribution nationwide and achieve placement in major retail outlets. The Aussie Plant-Based Co. specializes in plant-based products and produces carbon-neutral food, aligning with Smart Foods’ commitment to sustainable and innovative food solutions.

Carbon-neutral food refers to food products with a net-zero carbon footprint, meaning that the greenhouse gas emissions produced throughout their lifecycle from production and processing to transportation and disposal are entirely offset. These foods are generally produced through sustainable methods such as regenerative agriculture, the use of renewable energy sources, and participation in carbon offset initiatives to reduce environmental impact.

The primary types of carbon-neutral foods include vegetables and fruits, meat and poultry, dairy products, and others. Vegetables and fruits are plant-derived foods naturally rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These products can be categorized as carbon-neutral, carbon-negative, or low-carbon and are typically consumed by environmental advocates, health-conscious individuals, and vegan or vegetarian consumers. They are utilized in applications such as food manufacturing, retail, and distribution.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid implementation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the food and beverage sector. Rising costs for imported ingredients such as olive oil, cheese, and tropical fruits are pressuring food manufacturers to either reformulate their products or absorb reduced profit margins. Beverage producers are similarly affected, with tariffs on aluminum cans driving up packaging costs. Meanwhile, retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports like soybeans and pork are disrupting farm-to-processor supply chains. In response, companies are adjusting recipes, increasing local sourcing, and using commodity hedging strategies to manage price volatility.

The carbon neutral food market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides carbon neutral food market statistics, including carbon neutral food industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a carbon neutral food market share, detailed carbon neutral food market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the carbon neutral food industry. This carbon neutral food market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Major players in the carbon neutral food market are Kroger, Mars Incorporated, Sodexo, Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL, Conagra Brands Inc., Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Yorkshire Tea, Quorn Foods, Gerber, Leon Restaurants Ltd., LightLife Foods Inc., Bread Alone, Alter Eco, Planet FWD, Puffin Produce, Future Farm, Alara Wholefoods Ltd., Neutral Foods Inc., Organic Tap, vEEF.

Europe was the largest region in the carbon neutral food market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in carbon neutral food report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the carbon neutral food market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The carbon neutral food market consists of sales of sustainably produced food, plant-based products, and carbon-offset food items. 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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