Market Trends of Food Stabilizers Industry
Increased Demand for Processed Food
With changing lifestyles, consumers prefer more healthy foods than those with a high percentage of oil and fats. The demand for prepared and convenient food products such as baked goods, breakfast cereals, cheese, meat, and other beverages has increased due to the benefits of convenience food, such as lesser preparation time and easy handling. According to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, in 2021, the sales volume of savory snacks in the Indian packaged food market amounted to about 1.4 million metric tons. Food stabilizers make up a tiny part of the final product, but they significantly impact the final packaged product. For instance, products ranging from fat-free dressing, low-fat mayonnaise, sauces, processed meat products, etc., require various functional ingredients to optimize stability, creaminess, shelf-life, viscosity, and water absorption.
Gelatin has gelling and thickening jelly-like properties, making it an ideal hydrocolloid gummy candy. Gummy candy is trendy among children due to its attractive shapes and colors. As per the National Confectioners Association, in the United States, the gums and mints category of the confectionery market was valued at over USD 3.1 billion in 2021. It witnesses strong growth due to its high popularity among children. Thus, the expanding demand for gummies globally is expected to augment the growth of food stabilizers over the forecast period. The growing prevalence of gelatin ingredients in exotic delicacies like aspic and desserts helps the market gain significant traction worldwide. The versatility of food stabilizers in various food and beverage products may propel the market's growth.
Europe Holds a Prominent Share in the Market
Food stabilizers play a significant role in providing better aroma, color, and texture. Growing preference for specialized and customized blends by confectionery and bakery product manufacturers is driving demand for food stabilizers in the region. The demand for natural ingredients in packaged food has influenced ingredient buying behavior, which is expected to drive the demand for natural stabilizers in the region. According to the Office for National Statistics (UK), in 2021, an average of 349 grams of processed fruit and fruit products was consumed per person per week. Eventually, the key players in the market focus on expansion and product development to gain market share in the food stabilizer market.
The consumers in the region are attracted to bakery products. Food stabilizers are mainly used in the food industry due to their thickening and stabilizing properties. They also improve the texture, consistency, flavor, shelf life, and appearance of food products. Increasing disposable income and changing lifestyles fuel the market's growth. According to the Office for National Statistics (UK), in 2021, the annual average of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of food in the United Kingdom was 103.8. Stabilizers also prevent foods from separating and allow them to flow smoothly out of their containers. Food stabilizers are commonly employed in the formulations of bakery products, fruit juices, soups, ice cream, sauces, gravies, and gluten-free products.
