World Foodservice Disposables

World demand to rise 5.4% annually through 2015
World demand for foodservice disposables is projected to grow 5.4 percent per year to over $53 billion in 2015. Gains will be driven by gains in the foodservice industry, which will accelerate from the rates seen over the 2000-2010 period due to improvements in global economic conditions, increasingly fast-paced lifestyles and growth in away-from-home food spending.

Disposable serviceware -- including single-use cups, dinnerware and utensils -- will remain the largest product type through the forecast period and beyond. However, the fastest demand growth is expected in the disposable packaging segment, which includes foodservice containers, lids and domes, wraps, bags, and trays. Demand for disposable foodservice packaging will be fueled by advances in the limited service restaurant sector, which relies heavily on single-use packaging. Beyond eating and drinking places, good opportunities for disposables will be found in the retail market, as grocery and convenience stores expand their offerings of prepared foods.

Disposable serviceware dominates global market
In 2010, single-use serviceware accounted for 54 percent of the global foodservice disposables market. Gains will be supported by above-average growth in quick service restaurant and retail establishment revenues. Other factors providing momentum include the increased focus on gourmet coffee and specialty cold drinks by limited service restaurants and convenience stores. Value advances will also benefit from heightened interest in higher-cost environmentally friendly products, especially in developed regions.

Some of the best opportunities will exist in the disposable packaging segment, boosted by gains in the fast food industry, which uses large quantities of disposables for packaging foods consumed both onsite and off-site. In addition, the popularity of takeout food from full service restaurants will provide a further boost to single-use packaging demand, especially given that these restaurants tend to use higher-value disposable containers designed to maintain food temperature and minimize leakage. Increased catering activity by full service restaurants, and home delivery and takeaway outlets will also necessitate heightened requirements for disposable packaging.

Asia to see fastest growth
The Asia/Pacific region will see aboveaverage gains in foodservice disposables demand, fueled by advances in the limited service restaurant sector. The fastest growth will be seen in Asia, with India, China and Indonesia expected to experience the most rapid increases in the world. Between 2010 and 2015, China alone will account for 28 percent of global foodservice disposables market value gains and will surpass Japan to become the world’s second largest market. Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Africa/Mideast region will also experience aboveaverage gains, but from smaller bases.

Advances will be below average in North America and Western Europe, where markets are more mature and somewhat saturated. Nonetheless, opportunities will still be found in developed countries, especially for higher-cost degradable, recycled content and other green products in areas with bans on polystyrene foam disposables. The US, which accounted for 37 percent of global foodservice disposables sales in 2010, will remain by far the largest national market due to its large quick service restaurant sector.

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