Food Thickening Agents Market

Food Thickening Agents Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The global food thickening agents market expanded at 3.8% CAGR between 2018 and 2022 and ended up with a valuation of US$ 2,738.2 million in 2023. As per this study by Persistence Market Research, the sales of food thickening agents across the world are expected to increase at 3.7% CAGR to reach a market size of US$ 3,971.8 million by the end of 2033.

Among prominent countries accounting for a significant pie of global food sales, the U.S., European Union, and Japan together combined to account for over 60% of the overall processed food sales at retail. Trade liberalization policies through multilateral and regional trade agreements have led to a rapid growth of food & beverages. In the Asia-Pacific region, Japan is the largest food processing market, but India, as well as China, are likely to grow at a significant rate. The processed food industry in Japan and South Korea is vital due to the significant quantity of meat imported for both domestic consumption and further processing in the preparation of packaged and ready meals.

Food thickening agents have the ability to increase the viscosity of a liquid without altering its properties. Food thickening agents help in increasing the stability of the product by improving the suspension of other ingredients. Food thickening agents are commonly used to add a creamy and flavorful texture to any sweet or savory recipe without changing the original taste. Over the years, food thickening agents have been widely used for patients suffering from swallowing difficulty or dysphagia.

On the basis of source, the food thickening agents are derived from plant, seaweed, microbes, animal and synthetic compounds. Food thickening agents find applications in various segments, including bakery & confectionery, sauces & dressings, meat & poultry, dairy, beverages, among others.

What are the Key Trends Driving the Demand for Food Thickening Agents Ingredients?

“Increasing Demand for Food Products with Good Taste and Mouth Feel”

Food processing companies face the pressure of developing innovative food products without comprising on the original taste and quality. The ability of food thickening agents to increase the viscosity of a liquid without causing an alternation in other properties and providing an improved mouthfeel has caused an accelerating shift of food manufacturers towards them.

• For instance, Novo Alpi Srl, an Italian-based prepared food manufacturing company, provides ready-to-eat cakes and slices made by using natural food thickening agents such as tapioca and maize starch, under its brand Agluten.

“Increasing Prevalence of Swallowing Difficulty among Aging Adults”

Difficulty in swallowing, or dysphagia in medical terms, has witnessed a significant increase over the years, especially by the aging population. Food thickening agents help in slowing down the transit of fluids and food, providing more coordination time for the swallowing process. Thus, people suffering from dysphagia widely prefer the inclusion of food thickening agents in their meals for varying the consistency of their food.

• For instance, Nestlé Health Science provides an innovative food thickening agents, designed especially for dysphagia patients, called Resource ThickenUp. This food thickening agents rapidly thickens the food without affecting its taste and odor.

“Inclination towards Clean Label Ingredients”

The increasing awareness of consumers, particularly regarding the ingredients in their food products, is responsible for making clean label products a pillar in the food industry. Consumers demand food products containing natural and simple ingredients. Food thickening agents are derived from plant as well as vegetable sources, thus, satisfying the consumer demand for no artificial additives and ingredients.

• For instance, Archer Daniels Midland Company offers a wide range of starches such as corn, wheat, and tapioca. These starches are ideal food thickening agents for food products requiring a delicate texture, flavor, and light color. These starches not only function as thickeners but as binders and emulsifiers too, and have found wide applications in the bakery, confectionery, and dairy industries.

“Augmenting Food Thickening Demand for Infants”

The growing concern of dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux disease has led to food thickening for infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Thickening agents make the food heavier without causing an alteration in the original texture, along with stopping the rising back of food in the oesophagus. This has created a high potential opportunity for food thickener manufacturers to come up with innovative food products to cater to the growing demand in the baby feed market.

What are the Hindrances to the Adoption of Food Thickening Agents Ingredients?

“Fluctuations in Food Thickening Agents Prices”

Food thickening agents are derived from a variety of sources, amongst which, plant-derived thickeners are most widely preferred by consumers. The main reason is the growing demand for natural food products. Food thickening agents derived from plant sources are unique in their origin. These plants can be harvested only in during specific season, and give a very low yield. Apart from the source, the R&D facility for the processing of the plants into thickening agents requires extensive care, and is usually not easily available. These factors have led to an increase in the prices for these thickeners.

• For instance, Danisco A/S, a Danish bio-based company, announced a price increase for Locust Bean Gum in Nov 2015, due to the stringent harvest conditions required for Locust Gum, accompanied by a low seed yield.

Country-wise Insights

What Makes China a Lucrative Market for Manufacturers of Food Thickening Agents Ingredients?

“Prominence of Food Thickening Agents in Bakery and Confectionaries”

China accounts for over 40.0% consumption of food thickening agents in the South Asia and Pacific region with the major share being contributed by the bakery and confectionary application sector. Furthermore, the fastest growth is expected by plant source based on the estimated value CAGR of 7.9%.

What is the Demand Outlook for Food Thickening Agents in the United States?

“High Consumption of Food Thickening Agents in the Country”

North America holds almost 30.0% of the market share in the global market whereas U.S. holds around 81.0% of the North American market.

Out of these, the maximum consumption is expected by the bakery and confectionary followed by dairy products with a valuation of approximately US$ 220.1 million and US$ 172.2 million respectively in 2022 and will continue to grow in the forecast duration.

Category-wise Insights

Food Thickening Agents from which Source are Being Widely Utilized?

“Plant-Based Thickeners Contributing to Market Growth”

Based on the source, starches dominate the plant segment with roughly 45.0% share in and is estimated to grow at the fastest rate with a CAGR of 4.6%. Starches further was valued at US$ 127.9 million in 2022.

Which Application Utilizes the Maximum Amount of Food Thickening Agents Ingredient?

“Use of Food Thickening Agents in the Bakery and Confectionary Industry to Dominate the Market in the Forecast Duration”

The global food thickening agents market is categorized based on the various applications it finds use in including bakery & confectionery, meat & poultry, sauces & dressings, beverages and dairy products. Among these, the meat and poultry has a market value of approximately US$ 115.3 million in 2022.

Competitive Dashboard

Development of new products, production techniques, and strategical development is expected to result in increase in share in food thickening agents market and is expected to intensify competition in the global food thickening agents market in the near future.

• In July 2018, Cargill, Inc. launched Satiagel Seabrid, a new type of carrageenan extract based on 100% cultivated seaweed.
• In March 2018, Archer Daniels Midland Company bought 50% stake in Aston Foods, which is a food ingredients manufacturer based in Russia.
• In March 2017, DowDuPont Inc. entered into an agreement with FMC Corporation, which is a chemical company, in order to divest a portion of DuPont's Crop Protection business, including certain research and development capabilities, and to acquire FMC's Health & Nutrition business.
• In June 2017, Ashland Inc., with a strategy to strengthen its market position in Europe, acquired a composites manufacturing facility in France, along with an investment in new lab facilities and equipment in Finland.

Food Thickening Agents Industry Report Scope

Food Thickening Agents Industry Research Segmentation

By Source:

• Plant
  • Guar Gum
  • Gum Arabic
  • Locust Bean Gum
  • Pectin
  • Starches
  • Others
• Seaweed
  • Carrageenan
  • Agar
  • Alginate
• Microbial
  • Gellan Gum
  • Curdlan
  • Xanthum Gum
• Animal (Gelatin)
• Synthetic
  • Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC)
  • Methyl Cellulose

By Application:

• Bakery and Confectionery
• Meat & Poultry
• Sauces & Dressings
• Beverages
• Dairy products
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia & Pacific
• East Asia
• Middle East & Africa

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