The global bulk food ingredients market is projected to reach USD 454.6 billion by 2028 from USD 366.7 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period in terms of value. The need for packaged ready-to-eat meals like confectionary, biscuits, beverages, and chocolates is one lifestyle element that drives the market for bulk ingredients. The market has been helped by the expansion of food service retail chains and the rise in the number of restaurants and cafés. These businesses buy a substantial amount of food ingredients from wholesalers, including grains, spices, and herbs. The market for bulk food ingredients is expanding due to a variety of factors, including changing lifestyles, the embrace of Western culture, and an expanding labour force. In addition, the preference for tea and coffee over carbonated beverages is anticipated to fuel market expansion. Market participants are releasing several kinds of herbal and ayurvedic teas that are also healthy, raising demand for them in many regions of the world.

Bulk Food Ingredients Market Drivers: Rise in end-use applications

The demand for products that are rich in nutrients is significantly high in Europe and North America due to the increase in consumer awareness. The consumption of products with an extensive nutritional profile would continue to increase as parents prefer opting for food products—such as grains, oilseeds, and nuts, that are estimated to account for a key share in the bulk ingredients market. These products offer nutrition for healthy child development. End-use applications such as bakery confectionery, snacks spreads, ready meals, infant formulas, and dairy products are projected to witness significant growth in the next five years, resulting in increased demand for bulk food ingredients.

Food products are processed for various purposes, including the preparation of safer food products by eliminating harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, enhancing the shelf life of products, and increasing convenience. These bulk food ingredients are available in different end user application industries after being processed. Bulk food ingredients account for a major part of the raw materials required by the food processing industry. Hence, the increase in demand for packaged/processed food products is projected to drive the growth of the bulk food ingredients market.

Bulk Food Ingredients Market Opportunities: Rise in demand for natural or clean label products

Healthy, and ‘clean’ food products with fewer additives. Unlike organic, however, the term ‘natural’ remains undefined by legislators. Consumers are opting for cleaner products that contain an absolute minimum of synthetic or chemical additives.

According to the survey conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center in 2013, two-thirds of the US consumers prefer locally grown products, whereas more than 60% of the population opt for ‘clean’ or ‘natural’ labeled products. As a result of the increase in demand for organic products in the North American and European region, as well as the other parts of the world, there is a significant growth in demand for bulk food ingredients products.

Clean-label products are organic, natural, non-GMO, and minimally processed consumer-friendly products. According to the Clean Label Alliance, it is witnessed that nearly 75% of consumers are willing to pay high prices for clean-label products. The increase in health awareness among consumers is projected to drive the demand for natural and clean-label products, which, in turn, would drive the demand for bulk food ingredients. Consumers are becoming inclined toward clean-label products, as they are becoming more aware of the non-synthetic ingredients and their negative effects. This is projected to encourage the adoption of products and diets with clean-label ingredients.

By application, beverage segment is projected to have fastest growing rate during the forecast period.

There is a growing global demand for a wide variety of beverages, including carbonated drinks, juices, sports drinks, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, functional beverages, and alcoholic beverages. As consumers seek convenience and new taste experiences, the beverage industry is constantly innovating to meet these demands. Consumers are increasingly conscious of their health and wellness, driving the demand for healthier beverage options. This includes beverages with natural ingredients, reduced sugar content, functional additives, and botanical extracts. Bulk food ingredients such as natural sweeteners, fruit extracts, natural Flavors, and plant-based ingredients are essential in developing healthier and more appealing beverage products.

Asia Pacific is dominating the bulk food ingredients market share.

The Asia Pacific region has a large and rapidly growing population. The rising population leads to increased food consumption and drives the demand for bulk food ingredients to meet the growing production needs. As more people enter the middle class and experience higher disposable incomes, there is an increased demand for processed and convenience foods, further boosting the need for bulk ingredients. There is a shift in dietary patterns in the region. Urbanization, changing lifestyles, and Western influences have led to a higher consumption of processed and packaged foods. This trend increases the demand for bulk food ingredients as manufacturers require large quantities of ingredients to meet the growing demand for these convenience products. The region is witnessing rising consumer awareness of health and wellness, leading to a growing demand for natural and organic food products. Bulk food ingredients such as herbs, spices, natural sweeteners, and functional additives align with this consumer preference for clean label and healthier options.

Top Bulk Food Ingredients Companies:

The key players in this include Archer Daniels Midland Company (US), International Flavours Fragrances Inc. (US), Olam Group (Singapore), Cargill, Incorporated (US), Ingredion  (US), Associated British Foods plc (UK), Tate Lyle PLC (UK), EHL Ingredients (UK), Batory Foods (US), Graincorp (Australia), Community Foods (UK), McCormick Company, Inc. (US), The Source Bulk Foods (Australia), Essex Food Ingredients (US), and Subnutra (India). These companies have been focusing on expanding their market presence, enhancing their solutions, and partnering with many channel partners and technology companies to cater to consumers across the globe. The deep roots of these players in the market and their robust offerings are among the major factors that have helped them achieve major sales and revenues in the global bulk food ingredients market.