Whether it reflects consumers’ interest in more wholesome foods or their concerns about artificial ingredients, natural color use continues to grow.
March 18/Chicago -- In 2011, the global market for food colors accounted for approximately $1.55 billion in sales, a 13% jump from 2007, per a February 2013 report from Mintel and Leatherhead Food Research. Upon closer inspection, though, the 2-3% annual growth rates since 2007 were well below the 4-5% that this segment registered throughout most of the previous decade.
The bright spot for colors appears to be in natural options. Global sales of natural colors hit an estimated $600 million in 2011, a nearly 29% increase from 2007, a figure that represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of better than 7%. Researchers also found naturals’ share of the total food color market likewise has grown: jumping to nearly 39% in 2011 from 34% in 2007.