Europe Food Additives Market

Growing urbanization and changing lifestyles are driving demand for convenience and packaged foods. In the processed and packaged foods, ensuring food safety and quality starting from transportation to farm to fork and storage facilities is a major concern. To meet this demand, food additives are used. Food additives which are used to enhance the taste, color, texture of food, same time maintaining the freshness and nutritional content. Europe dominates the food additives demand, accounting for more than 30% of global consumption, in 2016.The European market for food additives is estimated to grow at a CAGR of ~% during 2017-2022.

The demand for food additives market was largely driven to address the supply chain complexities. Growing concerns on health among the ageing population is driving the market for natural food additives in the European region. Due to growing concerns on the safety of food additives, EU legislation laid down stringent regulations for products entering the EU market. Food additives, enzymes and flavorings should be approved by EU before being marketed in Europe. Products with labelling, and compliance with minimum added levels are the key factors seen as a constraint for entering the Europe market.

The food additives market is segmented by type viz. Preservatives, Food flavors and Flavor enhancers, Antioxidants, Sweeteners, Emulsifiers, Anti Caking agents, Enzymes, Fat replacers, Acidulants and others (texturizer, shelf life stabilizers, etc). The fastest growing segment is the Sweetener type which is seen as an alternative to sugar used in food and beverages. In UK, the Food standard agency estimated 850,000 cases of food poisoning and without preservatives the number would be much higher. Food Additives find major applications in Fruits & vegetables, Bakery & Confectionary, Dairy & Frozen products, Oils & Fats, Savory snacks, Meat poultry & Sea food products.

During recession, The European markets recorded minimal decrease in the food and beverage industry when compared to drastic fall in production in other industrial segments. That said, any slightest uptick in economy will boost the demand for European packaged foods and food additives market, as consumers tend to splurge first on food items. France and Germany are the largest market, followed by UK, Spain, Italy and Russia.

The major players in the market are Cargill, Tate & Lyle, Palsgaard, DuPont, DSM, Givaudan, Brenntag, Novozymes, International Flavors and Fragrances, etc. The strategies being adopted in the Food additives industry is in the Innovation category under the development of natural food additives and functional food ingredients to meet the customer demand. In countries Russia local companies take a larger market share. Another major opportunity is in the functional food additives and natural additives market with demand for Omega 3, vitamins, fiber and antioxidants enriched foods. Companies need to undertake ‘clean label’ solutions to meet the safety standards to cater to the global food consumption. The FAO/WHO committee along with ESFA and CODEX determines the acceptable standards of food additives to be used. However, General standard for Food Additives (GSFA) needs a wider acceptance for improved International Trade.