Food Thickeners Market Size

Food Thickeners Market Size Snapshot

Note – Market size depicts the revenue generated over the financial year

The world market for food thickeners is expected to grow at a significant rate. In 2024, the market is expected to be worth 9.42 billion dollars, which will grow to 13.29 billion in 2032. This represents a CAGR of 5.9% for the forecast period. The rising demand for thickeners is mainly driven by the increasing preference for convenience foods and the growing concern for health and well-being. This has led to a significant increase in the use of natural and organic thickeners in various food applications. Also, technological advancements in food processing and formulation are expected to drive the market. The development of new thickeners that offer a clean label and provide a better mouthfeel and texture in foods are attracting both manufacturers and consumers. These factors will lead to the development of new food thickeners and to the growth of the food thickeners market. The leading companies in the food thickeners market, such as Ingredion, Tate & Lyle, and DuPont, are actively involved in strategic initiatives such as partnership, R & D, and the launch of new products. These efforts will not only strengthen their position in the market but also drive the growth of the food thickeners market.

Regional Market Size

Regional Deep Dive

The Food Thickeners Market is experiencing a steady growth in various regions, driven by the growing demand for convenient and health-conscious foods, and the increasing demand for new and novel food applications. In North America, the market is characterized by the presence of established food manufacturers and the growing trend towards clean-label products. Europe is characterized by a wide variety of thickeners, which are influenced by the diversity of local cuisines and strict food regulations. The Asia-Pacific region is characterized by rapid growth due to increasing disposable income and changing dietary habits. The Middle East and Africa region is experiencing the increasing use of thickeners in food processing. Latin America is also emerging as a significant market, driven by the growing food and beverage industry and changing consumer preferences.

North America

• The growing interest in plant-based diets has increased the demand for natural thickeners, and companies like Ingredion and Tate & Lyle are investing in the development of new plant-based thickeners.
• As a result of recent regulatory changes, such as the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) labeling guidelines, manufacturers are reducing the number of ingredients on their label, and in doing so, they are increasing their use of natural thickeners.
• The increasing demand for ready-to-eat meals is driving the demand for thickeners, which enhance the mouthfeel and texture of these products.

Europe

• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently introduced stricter regulations on food additives, which has prompted food manufacturers to turn their attention to natural thickeners such as guar and xanthan gum.
• In the field of food technology, companies such as DSM and Cargill are taking the lead.
• Culture-related tastes in food are influencing the use of specific thickeners, such as cornstarch in Eastern European cuisines, which are influencing the local development of products.

Asia-Pacific

• Rapid urbanization and rising per capita income in countries such as China and India have led to a rise in demand for processed foods, which often contain thickening agents.
• The two local companies Sunson and Shandong Qufu Huasheng have both been able to establish themselves in the market with the help of the locals’ taste for thickeners.
• Governmental initiatives promoting food safety and quality are encouraging the use of approved thickeners in food production, thereby strengthening the public’s trust in processed foods.

MEA

• The food industry in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia is growing and is a good market for thickeners. The local company, Almarai, is investing in the development of new products.
• Culture, the popularity of certain dishes, the requirements of which for a particular consistency, influence the choice of thickeners in the region.
• The food control authorities are paying increasing attention to food safety, and the trend is towards the use of more natural and safe thickeners.

Latin America

• In the United States, as in Mexico and Brazil, the food and beverage industries are expanding. This will lead to greater demand for food thickeners.
• Organic foodstuffs are becoming more and more popular, as is the trend towards a healthier diet.
• Local cooking traditions influence the use of particular thickeners, such as cassava starch, which is gaining in popularity in various food applications.

Did You Know?

“The fact that more than 70% of consumers in North America are actively looking for products with clean labels has increased the demand for natural thickeners.” — Food Marketing Institute, 2023

Segmental Market Size

The thickeners market is experiencing a steady growth, driven by the growing demand for thickeners as a result of the rising demand for a more substantial consistency in food. The use of thickeners in foods and beverages is also increasing due to the growing prevalence of dysphagia among the aging population. The trend towards clean labeling has also been a major driving force for this market. Regulations to ensure food safety and quality are also encouraging manufacturers to adopt thickeners that meet strict standards.

At present, the food thickeners are a mature industry, with ADM and Ingredion leading the way in product development and innovation. The main applications are in sauces, soups and dairy products, where they provide body, stability and mouthfeel. However, the increasing focus on health and wellbeing, together with the sustainability drive to plant-based thickeners, is driving the market. Enzyme-modified products and improved processing are driving the evolution of the market, enabling more effective and versatile thickeners to be developed.

Future Outlook

From 2024 to 2032, the food thickener market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9 percent. The growth is driven by the increasing demand for convenience foods, the increasing proportion of the elderly who need diets that modify the consistency of the food, and the growing awareness of the quality and health benefits associated with thickeners. The demand for natural and clean label thickeners will increase with the health consciousness of consumers.

The development of new thickening agents based on natural sources is anticipated to have a significant impact on the market. In addition, the increasing regulatory support for the use of thickeners in a wide range of food applications, such as gluten-free and low-fat foods, will help to further increase the penetration of the market. The growing popularity of plant-based diets and the incorporation of thickeners into foods with a specific nutritional profile will also help to create new opportunities for the manufacturers of thickeners. The use of thickeners in the food and beverage industry is expected to increase to around 30 per cent by 2032.