US Baked Goods Packaging

Products covered in this report are:

boxes and folding cartons, including corrugated boxes and set-up boxes
clamshells and other rigid containers, including two-piece containers, cans, tubes, and canisters
pouches (e.g., pillow, stand-up, and side seal)
trays and pans
cups and other baked goods packaging, including lidding, wrap, and ties and clips

Scope of the Report

This report covers the scope, size, and growth of the US market for baked goods packaging for use in retail and foodservice, including key trends in material, product, format, and application segmentation. Historical data are provided for 2010, 2015, and 2020, with forecasts for 2025. Data are provided in current dollar value. Also included is an analysis of the industry key players.

Despite Home Baking Surge, COVID-19 Pandemic Boosted Baked Goods Sales in 2020 & 2021

Despite a steep drop in foodservice baked goods demand and a surge in interest in home baking, baked goods packaging sales overall still rose nearly 6% in 2020 from 2019 levels, boosted by elevated retail purchases of comfort foods such as cakes, pies, pastries, and cookies during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, interest in home baking started to wain as consumers resumed more of their usual routines, boosting sales of convenient baked goods options (e.g., bakery-fresh breads, ready-to-bake frozen pies) and demand for related packaging.

Pouches & Containers Benefit from Consumer Demand for More Convenient Baked Goods

The best growth opportunities in the baked goods packaging market are expected for pouches and rigid containers such as cups, clamshells, and two-piece containers, supported by increasing consumer preference for convenience-oriented products that offer portability, resealability, or portion control. In addition, the ongoing popularity of in-store bakeries will bolster demand for plastic containers, which are favored for their ability to clearly showcase their contents. Two-piece containers will register above average gains based on their widespread use with cakes, pies, and other large baked goods.

Cake, Pie, & Pastry Applications to Experience Above Average Growth

Among applications, cakes, pies, and pastries will continue to gain share of baked goods packaging demand from the more mature bread, cookie, and cracker segments. Cakes, pies, and pastries typically employ larger volumes of packaging than other baked goods because they are more delicate and require greater protection. However, even in more mature applications a shift toward higher value packaging will boost gains in market value.

Above average growth is also expected for packaging used with ethnic baked goods such as tortillas, pita bread, naan, and other flatbreads.