Food Thickener Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The food thickener market is growing at 6.12% CAGR from 2025 to 2030, driven by the increasing use of agar as a heat-stable thickening agent. Europe leads the market share, while North America is the fastest-growing region. Key industry players include Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ingredion Incorporated, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., and Dupont

Food Thickener Market Size

Food Thickener Market Summary

Food Thickener Market Analysis

The Food Thickener Market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.12% during the forecast period.

  • The market is mainly driven by its extensive use in the food and beverage sector such as bakery products, confectionery products, sauces, dressings, beverages, dairy & frozen desserts, and processed food. Also, the added benefits of thickeners, such as multifunctionality, absorption of nutrients, compatibility with other ingredients, low cost, and abundant supply of food thickeners. Furthermore, advancements in the extraction and processing of food thickeners from new natural sources is thus one of the major opportunities for the researchers and the leading players competing in the global market. For instance, in June 2015, researchers at Oregon State University discovered and commercialized a new type of dairy thickener- Ropy 352, which can add probiotic characteristics to the product in which it is used.
  • However stringent regulations from regulatory bodies such as Food and Drugs Organization (FDA), the European Commission (EU), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Health Canada, and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) for the use of thickeners are expected to impede the market growth. Also, the fluctuating hydrocolloids price affects the overall food thickeners market heavily. For instance, in October 2011, Danisco announced that the global hydrocolloid price increased by 5% to 15% due to rise in raw material, energy, and logistics costs, which directly affected the overall thickener market.

Food Thickener Industry Overview

The global market for food thickener is fragmented, owing to the presence of large regional and domestic players in different countries. Emphasis is given on the merger, expansion, acquisition, and partnership of the companies along with new product development as strategic approaches adopted by the leading companies to boost their brand presence among consumers.

Food Thickener Market Leaders

  1. Cargill, Incorporated

  2. Archer Daniels Midland Company

  3. Ingredion Incorporated

  4. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

  5. Dupont

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Food Thickener Market Concentration
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Food Thickener Market Report - Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Deliverables
  • 1.2 Study Assumptions
  • 1.3 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Drivers
  • 4.2 Market Restraints
  • 4.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.3.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 5.1 By Category
    • 5.1.1 Natural
    • 5.1.2 Synthetic
  • 5.2 By Type
    • 5.2.1 Hydrocolloids
    • 5.2.1.1 Gelatin
    • 5.2.1.2 Xanthan Gum
    • 5.2.1.3 Agar
    • 5.2.1.4 Pectin
    • 5.2.1.5 Others
    • 5.2.2 Protein
    • 5.2.3 Starch
  • 5.3 By Application
    • 5.3.1 Bakery & Confectionery
    • 5.3.2 Dairy
    • 5.3.3 Sauces & Dressings
    • 5.3.4 Beverages
    • 5.3.5 Others
  • 5.4 Geography
    • 5.4.1 North America
    • 5.4.1.1 United States
    • 5.4.1.2 Canada
    • 5.4.1.3 Mexico
    • 5.4.1.4 Rest of North America
    • 5.4.2 Europe
    • 5.4.2.1 Spain
    • 5.4.2.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.4.2.3 Germany
    • 5.4.2.4 France
    • 5.4.2.5 Italy
    • 5.4.2.6 Russia
    • 5.4.2.7 Rest of Europe
    • 5.4.3 Asia Pacific
    • 5.4.3.1 China
    • 5.4.3.2 Japan
    • 5.4.3.3 India
    • 5.4.3.4 Australia
    • 5.4.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.4.4 South America
    • 5.4.4.1 Brazil
    • 5.4.4.2 Argentina
    • 5.4.4.3 Rest of South America
    • 5.4.5 Middle East and Africa
    • 5.4.5.1 South Africa
    • 5.4.5.2 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.4.5.3 Rest of Middle East and Africa

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Most Active Companies
  • 6.2 Most Adopted Strategies
  • 6.3 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles
    • 6.4.1 Cargill, Incorporated
    • 6.4.2 Archer Daniels Midland Company
    • 6.4.3 Ingredion Incorporated
    • 6.4.4 Kerry Group Plc
    • 6.4.5 DuPont
    • 6.4.6 Darling Ingredients
    • 6.4.7 Tate & Lyle PLC
  • *List Not Exhaustive

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

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Food Thickener Industry Segmentation

The global food thickener market has been segmented by category into natural and synthetic; and by type into hydrocolloids, protein and starch. The hydrocolloids segment can be further bifurcated into gelatin, xanthan gum, agar, pectin, and others. By application, the market is segmented into bakery & confectionery, dairy-based products, sauces & dressings, beverages, and others. Also, the study provides an analysis of the food thickener market in the emerging and established markets across the globe, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa.

By Category Natural
Synthetic
By Type Hydrocolloids Gelatin
Xanthan Gum
Agar
Pectin
Others
Protein
Starch
By Application Bakery & Confectionery
Dairy
Sauces & Dressings
Beverages
Others
Geography North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Rest of North America
Europe Spain
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Italy
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific China
Japan
India
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa South Africa
Saudi Arabia
Rest of Middle East and Africa
By Category
Natural
Synthetic
By Type
Hydrocolloids Gelatin
Xanthan Gum
Agar
Pectin
Others
Protein
Starch
By Application
Bakery & Confectionery
Dairy
Sauces & Dressings
Beverages
Others
Geography
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Rest of North America
Europe Spain
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Italy
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific China
Japan
India
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa South Africa
Saudi Arabia
Rest of Middle East and Africa
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Food Thickener Market Research FAQs

What is the current Food Thickener Market size?

The Food Thickener Market is projected to register a CAGR of 6.12% during the forecast period (2025-2030)

Who are the key players in Food Thickener Market?

Cargill, Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ingredion Incorporated, Ashland Global Holdings Inc. and Dupont are the major companies operating in the Food Thickener Market.

Which is the fastest growing region in Food Thickener Market?

North America is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).

Which region has the biggest share in Food Thickener Market?

In 2025, the Europe accounts for the largest market share in Food Thickener Market.

What years does this Food Thickener Market cover?

The report covers the Food Thickener Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Food Thickener Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.

Food Thickener Industry Report

Statistics for the 2025 Food Thickener market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligenceā„¢ Industry Reports. Food Thickener analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

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