Europe Confectionery Packaging Market Size

Europe Confectionery Packaging Market Analysis

The Europe Confectionery Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 3.17 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 3.73 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.28% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The pandemic undoubtedly disrupted commerce across the globe, primarily highlighting the critical nature of the supply chain. Like the other essential infrastructure sectors, the confectionery industry has also been significantly affected by these challenges. For instance, as of Jun 2021, the German confectionery industry stated that it does not expect the business to return to normal until next year at the earliest. A survey by the Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) examined the economic development of medium-sized members in the first quarter of 2021. It stated that the industry remains tense owing to the coronavirus crisis.

• Consumption of confectionery products witnessed a record fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. For instance, the German confectionery registered the first slump in exports in the past 20 years. Notably, member countries of the European Union receive around 80% of the German confectionery exports. With lockdowns, logistical hurdles, and increased unemployment, falling household incomes were the significant drivers for declining confectionery sales.
• Plastic Confectionery packaging has become popular among consumers over other products, as plastic material is lightweight and easier to handle. Even significant manufacturers have preferred to use plastic packaging like Containers & Stand-up Pouches, owing to the lower cost of production.
• A wide variety of advanced, cost-effective, and sustainable packaging solutions emerging in the market, and plastic as a product, has been accepted globally. This has led to the regional players, such as Amcor, introducing new plastic product formats to cater to the demand for confectionery packaging.
• However, Stand-up Pouches (SUPs) are witnessing significant demand and consumer interest in the studied region. The revived interest in SUPs can be attributed to various factors, including developing new packaging machinery, which delivers higher production and filling speeds, and advances in sealing efficiencies. In addition, other technological advances have helped to improve functionality and better heat and puncture resistance of the laminate material.
• According to Confectionery Packaging Europe, healthy growth has increased production for most end-user markets, including sweets, chocolate, and fresh foods. The increased demand for customer-friendly products which are lightweight and easily transportable can be considered as a significant factor behind Europe's high market share in the global confectionery packaging market. Increasing focus on sustainability, the increased need for extended product shelf life, rising standards of hygiene, and customer focus on ease of use are the primary drivers of the studied market.
• Further, the Packaging Directive aims to harmonize national measures on the packaging and the management of packaging waste. Moreover, the EU countries are directed to ensure that producer responsibility schemes are established for all packaging. The EU has targeted to recycle 65% of all packaging materials, of which they have planned to recycle 50% of plastic packaging, 50% of Aluminum packaging, and 75% of paper and cardboard packaging by 2025. Further, the EU targets to recycle 70% of all packaging materials by 2030.