Market Scenario

The Asia Pacific Freeze-Dried Food Market was valued at US$ 7,970.4 million in 2023 and is projected to hit the market valuation of US$ 17,769.7 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 9.72% during the forecast period 2024–2032.

Growing interest in convenient, long-lasting and nutritious food products is driving the expansion of the Asia Pacific freeze-dried food sector. The military and defense sector represent one of the largest application areas for freeze-dried foods in this region. These meals are light-weighted, easily transportable, and have an extended shelf life which makes them perfect for soldiers as well as emergency preparedness kits. For instance, India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has come up with various types such as ready-to-eat meals and survival rations among others. 

Besides that, outdoor adventure sports also present significant opportunities for growth of the freeze-dried food market. Hikers’, campers’ or mountaineers often opt for freeze dried food because it offers convenience coupled with high nutritional value while on trips of such nature like these ones mentioned above. In Japan there are companies such as Amano Foods; Asahi Group Foods etcetera which provide wide range choices when it comes designing freeze dried meals intended specifically for use by outdoor enthusiasts alone.

Freeze drying technology is being adopted by players in the food processing industry to create more innovative products that meet consumers’ needs better than ever before. Chinese people now prefer using fruits or vegetables dehydrated through freezing process as healthier snacks or instant soup/noodle ingredient according to what most citizens want at any given time here today where we live right now. Further down this line another trend shaping future markets involves increased usage rates among manufacturers who see huge potential benefits derived from incorporating freeze dry ingredients into their recipes knowing very well that doing so shall not only improve quality but also prolong shelf life thereby saving costs associated with wastage maybe? In 2021 Tyson Foods Inc introduced First Pride brand plant-based frozen items across select retail markets alongside ecommerce platforms throughout Asia pacific region.  

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Market dynamics

Driver: Surging demand for functional foods and nutraceuticals

Consumer preferences in the Asia Pacific freeze-dried food market are shifting towards functional foods and nutraceuticals that have targeted health benefits. This demand for freeze-dried ingredients such as antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods continue to grow as they are being incorporated into different food and drinks products meant for this health-conscious market. Countries like China, Australia, and Japan have a higher need for these functional food items because their citizens are ready to spend more money on goods with health benefits attached.

Functional foods and nutraceuticals are becoming popular in the food industry because of their abilities to preserve nutritional value, taste, and appearance after being processed through freezing drying methods. Kirin Holdings Company Limited launched a series of new functional freeze-dried ingredients for use in Japanese food industries during 2021. The ingredient range covers freeze dried probiotics, antioxidants among others which can be added into yoghurts or smoothies or even snack bars easily Another great example is Baiyang Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a Chinese company specializing in producing freeze-dried fruit/vegetable powders used by the functional foods sector as dietary supplements sports nutrition baby food etcetera; these products are packed full of vitamins minerals antioxidants etcetera.

Innovation within freeze-dried food market has been fueled by an increasing demand for functional foods & nutraceuticals. In 2020 Australian firm Freeze Dry Industries came up with its own line of room temperature stable powdered probiotics that last up to two years on shelves before spoiling; this move was meant to cater for needs arising from dairy bakeries confectioneries etcetera.

Trend: Innovating Palates: The Rise of Exotic Flavors in Asia Pacific Freeze-Dried Food Market

Freeze-dried food manufacturers in the Asia Pacific are incorporating foreign flavours into their product range as a strategic response to changing consumer tastes. The demand for new and unique packaged food flavours in Asia Pacific reflects an increasing desire among consumers to try different types of cuisine. Manufacturers are being forced to be more adventurous with taste because of this switch.

For example, ABC Freeze Dried Foods has started selling freeze-dried durian snacks which is a perfect representation of these trends in the Asia Pacific freeze-dried food market. In Southeast Asia where it is known as “the king of fruits”, durian has always had an intense and distinctive flavor that resonates with locals. Freezing dries it out without losing any of these qualities so now people can enjoy this delicious fruit all year round in a convenient way too – no wonder freeze dried durians have become popular among tourists visiting this part of the world too! Besides traditional fruits, there are also new meat options available from companies such as Freeze Dry Australia who offer kangaroo meat jerky made using sustainable methods. This not only appeals to those seeking something different but also fits with current concerns surrounding ethical protein sources and environmentalism.

To create fusion flavors, companies across the Asia Pacific freeze-dried food market around the world are looking at various cuisines for inspiration. Some examples include seaweed miso soup (Japanese), Indian spiced mangoes or Thai tom yum soup -style options… just mix up some familiar ingredients with exotic spices & seasonings et voilà! You’ve got yourself a tasty global meal that’ll keep forever on pantry shelves thanks to its packaging design. Social media plays an important role in promoting these kinds of foods too; many influencers often show off their latest finds from trips abroad on platforms like Instagram which then sparks interest among followers leading them straight towards trying out something similar themselves back home.

Challenge: Stiff Competition from Alternative Preservation Methods and Traditional Product Formats

In the Asia-Pacific freeze-dried food market, businesses that manufacture and sell freeze-dried foods are facing intense competition with those who use other preservation methods as well with fresh and frozen items found in the same categories. One of the main alternatives to this method is spray-drying because it consumes less energy than freeze drying. Also, compared to freeze dried food, spray drying requires about 20-30% lesser amount of energy for operation thus making it a cheaper option too. Therefore, many companies have adopted this cost-effective technique in their production lines for instant coffee powders; milk powders among others like Nestle’s Nescafe brand which undergoes manufacturing through spray drying.

Besides competing against different ways used for preserving products; there are also challenges brought by fresh and frozen alternatives available on the market. According to our study, over 72% of people prefer consuming natural foods while only 60% think that freezing them retains most nutrients compared to drying them out first before freezing again so as preserve these elements within such products. The reason behind this perception is that normal temperatures keep more vitamins intact besides maintaining better texture unlike dehydrated ones since some may lose up to third their original contents during processing stage e.g., freeze dried strawberries had lower vitamin c levels by between twenty and thirty percent when compared against fresh ones.

Furthermore, consumer habits die hard particularly when dealing with conventional grocery store goods sold at low prices throughout Asia Pacific freeze-dried food market. Wherein, consumers still love buying traditional types even if they were introduced new varieties such as freeze-dried versions alongside established favorites. In China, during 2022, each person consumed an average 54.7kg worth of fruits per annum but hardly any were bought from shelves where they came packaged differently than usual. In Japan, annual consumption rate equals 17.8kg versus just 200 grams spent annually on packets labeled as ‘freeze dried’.

Segmental Analysis

By Product Type

The fruit segment holds the highest share 22.34% of the Asia Pacific freeze-dried food market in 2023 and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 10.23% during the forecast period. Consumers in the Asia-Pacific area are increasingly demanding convenient ready-to-eat items. Freeze-dried fruits are a great fit for this purpose because they retain most nutrients and can be stored for long without going bad. To meet these requirements, brands such as Brothers All Natural have introduced new freeze-dried fruit products like Fuji apple crisps or mango crisps. Moreover, these days more than ever before freeze drying is being used widely as an ingredient across different food categories which include bakery products such as biscuits or buns; beverages like smoothies among others besides snacks too hence its versatility drives growth within this segment even further examples being given here where freeze dried strawberries, blueberries alongside raspberries find themselves added onto baked goods plus breakfast cereals.

Additionally, health consciousness levels are rising significantly among customers across the Asia Pacific freeze-dried food market. In line with this, they are willing to spend money on healthier premium foods, especially those originated from nuts and seeds if they have been minimally processed through dehydration methods before packaging them into vacuum sealed bags. Thus, making freeze drying appear healthier compared processed snacks targeted towards gaining popularity among various groups including youth who want quick energy boosts after physical activities or elderly individuals needing extra nourishment.

A good number of international companies participate actively in the freeze-dried fruit industry of the Asia-Pacific region. Some of them include Asahi Group Holdings Ltd., Ajinomoto Co. Inc., and OFD Foods LLC among others both global as well as local players serving this market space alongside each other while Paradise Fruits stands out strong supplier position within APAC territories.

By Distribution Channel

The Asia-Pacific freeze-dried food market is led by online segment that acquired a significant share of 65.89% in 2023. Among the reasons for growth in this division is increased usage of digital wallets and mobile payment systems within the region which fostered secure convenient transactions over the internet thus encouraging more customers into e-commerce. 

Besides, growing demand for healthy and innovative food products in Asia-Pacific has led to a boom in sales through online channels for freeze dried foods. These items have been preferred by people who are health conscious because they retain nutrients while having longer shelf lives than other packaged goods. In addition to that, various freeze-dried commodities such as fruits vegetables or ready-to-eat meals can easily be found on different virtual stores hence making it one click away from anyone’s doorstep across APAC freeze-dried food market where there has also been many new entrants among them being Foodpanda; GrabFood; Zomato. These players are followed by tie-ups with suppliers to increase their product range like Nestle partnering with Alibaba’s Tmall to sell its freeze-dried coffee snacks in China among others thereby heightening up this segment’s growth online.

On the other hand, offline segment of the freeze-dried food market takes lead in the terms of growth rate and is projected to expand at the highest CAGR of 9.89%. due to strong local preference towards physical stores when shopping. They contributed significantly towards expansion of brick-and-mortar establishments dealing with these types of merchandises such as Health Food Co., Japan being one them that specializes only on health foods mostly comprising dry snack bars amongst others. Similarly, other parts around APAC too have shown increased interest in becoming tourist destinations. Secondly, Wet markets traditionally used for selling fresh produce are popular among Malaysians and Indonesians who prefer buying products from sellers where they can see touch and smell before making purchases. 

By End User

The residential segment of the Asia Pacific freeze-dried food market holds highest share of 55.55% and is expected to keep growing at the highest CAGR of 9.87% during the forecast period. This is because people’s preferences and lifestyles are changing. Busy lives and increasing urbanization in countries such as India and China have led to higher demand for ready-to-eat freeze dried foods which are also convenient while on the go. The freeze-dried food market in this region is being rapidly boosted by consumers’ need for time saving snacks due to their fast paced lifestyle. Furthermore, shoppers are demanding more vegan, gluten-free, all-natural and minimally processed products; hence many stores now stock up with different types of freeze-dried snacks.

Also, supporting growth within the residential category is an increasing desire for nutritious meals that save space without compromising on quality components. People want healthier diets so they opt for these types of food rather than other methods where nutrients may be lost during processing. Premium consumer groups are looking for better quality items which have led them into considering freeze-drying as one option available among others too like canning or dehydration etcetera Another reason why there has been rising interest around residential areas vis-à-viz premium markets include; long life expectancy combined with higher nutritional value as compared with ordinary pet feeds prompted strong sales performance history recorded by Freeze Dry Pet Foods compared against regular ones since these do not perish quickly.

In addition, storage lengthiness combined alongside preservation capability acts as primary drivers behind expansion pertaining to freeze-dried food market meant mainly for home usage only. Eventually, they can stay stored over longer period even without spoiling. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that China holds the biggest portion out of all Asia-Pacific countries when it comes down towards freeze dried fruits and vegetables – this being followed by Japan as well as Australia respectively. Also, berries stand out in terms of exotic freeze-dried fruit products within this region alone. Key players in the market include: Ajinomoto, Asahi Group, Nestle among others. While freeze-dried snacks are expected to be the most profitable segment driven by healthy snacking trend. 

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Country Analysis

China accounts for the highest market share of 26.74% in the Asia-Pacific freeze-dried food market due to a number of reasons. First, the increasing consumer demand for healthy and convenient foods matches well with nutritional values of freeze-dried products hence the rapid growth. Also, they have a large domestic food processing industry that is growing fast with more players coming into this sector as they see opportunities in it while they work towards meeting their own needs from within. Government support coupled with favorable policies also encourages investments which lead to innovations through technological advancements within different industries such as freeze-drying technology advancement especially when it comes production efficiency around fruits and vegetables among others. 

What drives demand here is rapid urbanization alongside rising income levels whereby city dwellers prefer buying these goods either at supermarkets or through various online platforms available locally thus making them easily accessible even for those living far away from towns where such stores are located. Furthermore, in 2023, China accounted for largest share not only in APAC but worldwide too showing how much people love using this type of preservation method. Another point worth noting is that some big names involved include Lixing Group; Tianjin Sai Yu Food Co.; Fonterra launched its dairy ingredients platform which features among other things freeze dried products specifically made for Chinese market as well as others like it around there. In addition, we can see that most popular categories consist mainly fruits while traditional Chinese meals soups etcetera were also found be having very high potential

Due to various factors, Japan is the second largest country in the Asia Pacific freeze-dried food market. First, their fast-paced lifestyle coupled with an aging population has created a need for easy-to-make meals and processed foods; this is where freeze-drying comes in handy. Another thing that makes Japan stand out is that most processed fruit products are imported giving room for entry into the market by other nations through their freeze-dried counterparts. Additionally, there are some big local players such as Ajinomoto Co., Inc., and Asahi Group Holdings Ltd who have been expanding their operations while also coming up with new items for meeting increasing demands within the country.

Recent Developments in Asia Pacific Freeze-Dried Food Market 

• In April 2024, Blossom Tea from Taiwan leveraged crystallized format innovation to extend its presence in the Greater China region, focusing on granule greatness.
• In September, 2023, Prinova revealed customized premix solutions designed specifically for the Asia Pacific market, as reported by Sian Yates.
• In November, 2022, ROHA GROUP finalized the acquisition of SARAF FOODS, a leading company in freeze drying technology.

Key Players in the Asia Pacific Freeze-Dried Food Market

• Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
• Anyang General Foods co., Ltd.
• AlpineAire Foods
• Anyang General Foods co., Ltd.
• Chaucer Foods Ltd
• Fujian Lixing Foods Co. Ltd
• General Mills Inc.
• Harmony House Foods, Inc.
• Nestle SA
• Packit Gourmet
• Saraf Foods Ltd.
• Swastik Foods
• Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.
• Eiyoh Co., LTD
• Jiffy Foods Japan Ltd. (Kurabo Industries Ltd.)
• Omusubi Kororin Honpo Co., Ltd.
• Toyota Tsusho Foods Corporation
• Other Prominent players

Market Segmentation Overview:

By Product

• Fruits
  • Seasonal
  • Regular
• Vegetables
  • Peas
  • Corn
  • Potatoes
  • Others
• Dairy Products
  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Cheese
  • Others
• Meat & Poultry
  • Red Meat
  • Pork Meat
  • Poultry Meat
• Seafood
• Bakery Products
  • Bread
  • Pizza Crust
  • Cakes & Pastries
  • Others
• Soups
• Ready Meals
  • Dumplings
  • Rice Based
  • Italian (Pastas)
  • Indian
  • Korean
  • Chinese
  • Others
• Pet Foods
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Online
  • Company Website
  • E-Commerce Website
• Offline
  • Supermarket/ Hypermarket
  • Convenience Stores/ Standalone Stores
  • Others

By End User

• Residential
• Commercial
  • HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurants, Café) - Food Service
  • Travel (Railway/ Airline/ Others)
  • Educational Institutes
  • Food Processing Industry
  • Other Commercial End User

By Country

• Japan
• China
• India
• Australia & New Zealand
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia Pacific