The number of food packaging units sold globally rose 3 percent to 1.9 trillion in 2014 as stand-up pouches move into the mainstream, according to newly-published data from market research company Euromonitor International. 

The stand-up pouch, while not among the most used plastic pack types in the food industry, is among the fastest growing. The category is forecast to increase at a 6 percent average yearly growth through 2014-2019, as it becomes part of many brands’ packaging portfolios. Notable pouch launches from 2014 include Kellogg’s cereals in France, Heinz ready meals in Germany and Green Giant’s sweetcorn.

“The stand-up pouch is one of the success stories from this year’s packaging research data,” said Rosemarie Downey, Head of Packaging Research at Euromonitor. “The pouch is gaining a stronger presence, being used as a microwaveable pack solution in ready meals, rice and pasta, a share pack in biscuits, confectionery and sweet and savory snacks and a single-serve pack consumed directly from the pouch in ice cream, yoghurt and baby food. The stand-up pouch ticks all the boxes.”

China and India are set to contribute 58 percent of all food packaging growth in 2015. The Asia-Pacific region alone recorded 5 percent growth in 2014, translating into 320 billion additional packs.

“China and India are the indomitable powerhouses in the global food packaging industry,” added Downey. “Rising levels of urbanization and disposable incomes combined with a continuing shift in buying habits from unpackaged to packaged, makes these important countries for development.” Learn more about Euromonitor’s packaging research here: www.euromonitor.com/packaging