Fruit and Vegetable Processing Market: Long shelf life and packed with nutrients 


What is fruit and vegetable processing?

Fruits and vegetables are seasonal and highly perishable. They also have a year-round demand in various sectors of the food industry like for making confectioneries, baked goods, juices, and more. This requires fruits and vegetables to be processed and stored as canned pieces, pulp, juice, or other forms to keep up with the demand. Processing ensures that the fruit or vegetable preserves its texture, color, and flavor. Fruit processing ensures that the minerals and vitamins in the fruit can be retained and health-conscious consumers can eat these for the same nutritional benefits as fresh fruit. Fruit and vegetable processing is done mainly to prolong the shelf life of food like canned vegetables. Even frozen vegetables are widely popular as they can be stored for longer periods without getting spoilt. Fruits and vegetables market growth are mainly owing to the fruit processing market that includes popularly consumed products like dried fruits, canned fruit, and syrup preserved fruits. However, the fruit and vegetable market is very fragile and prone to losses. To ensure good productivity, improved supply chain methods, and trained workers are required.


The Asia Pacific is the largest market for fruit and vegetable processing

Governments in these countries have shifted their focus on developing the farming area, as well as prioritizing fruit and vegetable production over grains. These countries have developed innovative technologies to improve their fresh produce sector. Using technology like greenhouses, they have developed products like fresh vegetables and fruits and are its major exporter. Food processing is majorly export-oriented in these countries, which makes this market the largest. 


Market Drivers

The fruit and vegetable processing market share is expected to grow in the coming years owing to the increasing demand for fruit and vegetable products, improved technological innovations for processing benefits like longer shelf life and more. Growing health consciousness has motivated more consumers to purchase and consume processed food as it retains the nutrients. Food preservation is a major concern for most consumers, and this has caused processing companies to develop methods that conserve the nutrient quality of food but also prolong shelf life. Changes in food consumption pattern of people in the past few years are also driving the fruit and vegetable processing market as there is increased adoption of a vegan diet. Presence of retail and e-commerce channels have also driven the market for fruit and vegetable processed goods due to their ease of availability and lower cost. With an increase in the exports of food products, there is increased demand for processing as it ensures the fruit and vegetable maintains itself without damage.


Fruit and Vegetable Processing industry outlook 

The consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has a decline, especially among the younger population. With the processing of these food types, they can be readily consumed and thus are increasingly preferred. Hence processed fruit and vegetables are rising in demand. They meet the nutritional requirements of individuals and are available throughout the year due to longer shelf life. The processing of fruits and vegetables also ensures sustainability as waste is reduced when such products are available in quantities preferred by consumers.

Fruit and Vegetable Processing top 10 companies are GEA Group, JBT Corporation, Conagra Brands, Dole Food, Kroger, Olam International, The Kraft Heinz Company, Albertsons, Greencore Group, and Nestlé. Some other key companies in the fruit and vegetable processing industry are Bosch, Buhler, and Krones.