Food Cans Market Size - By Material, By Capacity, By Application Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Food Cans Market Size

The food cans industry is growing due to rising trends for shelf-stable can packaging that is able to offer users durability and prolong storage requirements. For instance, in January 2023, Israeli food tech startup Vgarden, Ltd launched its fish free canned tuna alternative made from pea protein, in food cans and pouches. Vgarden product meets and surpasses consumer expectations by closely matching the texture and nutritional attributes of traditional tuna.
 

For instance, in January 2023, Israeli food tech startup Vgarden, Ltd. launched a fish-free canned tuna alternative made from pea protein. Packaged in food cans and pouches, the product mimics traditional tuna’s texture and nutritional value. This sustainable, clean-label solution reflects growing demand for plant-based seafood and innovations in food cans packaging.
 

Food Cans Market Trends

The increasing awareness towards food preservation is driving growth for the food cans industry. Manufacturers are adopting eco-friendly materials and designs to reduce carbon footprints, minimize food waste, and enhance recyclability.  For instance, in June 2023, in Spain and Italy a special food can called Ecopeel was introduced. It is a closure that has eliminated the need for a ring pull, greatly reducing the carbon emission by buy replacing foil with lighter and refined materials.
 

Food Cans Market Analysis

The food can industry faces a growing challenge from the competition in relation to alternative packaging solutions. With the growing awareness among consumers and companies against global warming, nontoxic, easily versatile and biodegradable materials, flexible pouches and glass jars are in high demand. Also, these alternatives come with many benefits, such as better convenience and innovative and better designs. For instance, flexible pouches are lighter, easier to carry and take up much less space than a can, while in terms of glass, packaging these products gives the impression of being of higher quality and can be recycled.
 

An opportunity for the food cans market lies in the expansion of functional and convenience packaging. With the momentum shift in the consumer’s lifestyle, the need for user-friendly, handy packaging solutions that maintain freshness and food quality is ever increasing. At the same time, the shift towards premium and health-focus foods creates great opportunities for using food cans while targeting consumers interested in pure, organic and instant easy to eat packaged food materials.

Based on material, the food cans market is divided into aluminum, and steel. The aluminum segment is expected to reach a value of over USD 20 billion by 2034.
 

• Aluminum cans dominate the market as they are effective in preserving food and shelving them for a longer period of time by offering protection against light, oxygen and moisture. Coupled with the fact that aluminum is lightweight, durable, easy to shape, and recyclable, transportation costs and carbon emissions also decrease which falls in line with sustainability goals. Hence, aluminum’s consideration in the food can market is projected to expand greatly.
   
• Corporations as well as several governments around the globe have started to encourage the use of recyclable packing materials, aiding in the growth of the aluminum can market. There is an increasing consumer preference for environmentally friendly solutions, therefore aluminum is superior in terms of all other materials available in the market.
   

Based on application, the food cans market is divided into fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood, pet food, ready-to-eat meals, processed food, powder products, and others. The ready-to-eat meals segment is the fastest growing segment with a CAGR of over 6% between 2025 and 2034.
 

• Ready to eat meals has grown to be the highest growing segment for the food cans due to higher and growing consumer traffic towards convenience and time efficiency foods. Population growth and rise in literacy level, increasing disposable income and changing lifestyle put pressure on convenience food as working population and young generation seeks convenience. Convenience foods have longer shelf life, ease in storage and require little preparation time to tune with modern life styles.
   
• Additionally, the growing popularity of health-conscious and premium meal options has led to innovations in canned ready-to-eat meals, including organic, gluten-free, and nutrient-rich products. The pandemic took this even further as consumers reached out for more shelf stable, convenient foods primarily due to fear of catching the virus from other food sources. Firms are also putting their capital into advancing ornamented packaging and better means of perishability as this will create a more visually appealing product and thus drive the segment’s market.
   

North America held the share of over 35% in 2024. A number of factors are contributing to the growth of canned food products in the United States, one of the major factors being the increasing appeal of these products during times of emergency. Busy individuals and health-conscious consumers find these food products easy to store thus creating a spike in the US market.
 

The increase in urbanization in China is expected to result in growing consumer bases which is favoring the food can market. This also includes the ever-increasing demand for preserved food products. Sustainable solutions have also increased in popularity leading to Chinese companies making use of eco-friendly canning options. Focus on innovation from local Chinese food manufacturers is also aiding the development of this market.
 

India's food cans market is benefitting from the expansion of the middle class, urbanization and change in food consuming habits. The increasing per capita consumption of processed and packaged foods, especially among youth in the urban areas, is inflating the popularity of canned food products. The tendency towards nuclear families and the increasing need for ready-to-eat foods are encouraging the use of canned foods. In addition, the efforts of the Indian government directed on food packing regulations boost the competitiveness of the market, making space for businesses from India and abroad.
 

The food cans market in South Korea is witnessing growth as it is supported by the South Korean economy, modern technology, and an appetite for processed foods. Active lifestyle in addition to the nature of the products with an extended shelf life fuels the demand for food cans. Additionally, South Korea is a huge exporter in the food processing sector where production of canned goods is among the sources of production growth. Also, there is an increasing need for sustainable packaging solutions and new products in the market which is fueling the growth.
 

Japan's market is booming owing to its aging population coupled with convenience as a high priority during food production. It is also due to the value that Japan’s society places on food preservation and food products as Japanese elderly increasingly prefer easier to store and prepare meals. Overall cultural practices backed by the increasing trend for environmentally friendly products largely affect market growth. Technological advancements also paired with Japan’s already established efficient canning methods further solidify their rank as global leaders in the food cans sector.
 

Food Cans Market Share

The competition in the food cans industry is driven by several key factors. Companies compete on price as cost remains crucial for consumers as well as manufacturers. Moreover, product differentiation is important as players seek to innovate like packaging in an environmentally friendly manner and developing new canning techniques. Also, distribution channels are critical in penetrating the market, especially in needy areas. Treating sustainability as a serious factor is gaining priority and companies are differentiating themselves by offering green compliant solutions and packaging. Altogether, the market is characterized by price competition, product improvement, and effective distribution approaches.
 

Food Cans Market Companies

Major players operating in the food cans industry are:

• Aaron Packaging
• CANPACK
• Colep Packaging
• Crown Holdings
• CPMC Holdings
• Envases
• Independent Can Company
• Jamestrong Packaging
• Kian Joo Group
• Lageen Food Packaging
• Massilly Holding
• Nampak
• Silgan Holdings
• Sonoco Products
• Toyo Seikan Group
• Trivium Packaging
• Visy Industries
• Wells Can
   

Food Cans Industry News

• In June 2024, Sonoco announced its acquisition of Eviosys, a European metal packaging supplier, for $3.9 billion. This acquisition will strengthen Sonoco’s leadership in global metal food cans and aerosol packaging.
   
• In April 2024, Canovation introduced CanReseal, a sustainable, resealable can design. This innovation features a twist-top closure, reducing food waste and replacing single-use plastics. Canovation aims to scale up and increase consumer awareness of environmental sustainability.
   

This food cans market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) & volume (Units) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Material

• Aluminum
• Steel

Market, By Capacity

• Less than 200 ml
• 200 ml to 500 ml
• 500 ml to 1000 ml
• More than 1000 ml

Market, By Application

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat and seafood
• Pet food
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Processed food
• Powder products
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa