Ethical Food Global Market Report 2025

Ethical or sustainable food pertains to food produced through processes and systems that are environmentally friendly, economically efficient, conserve non-renewable natural resources and energy, ensure safety for workers, consumers, and communities, and uphold the needs of future generations. This approach to food production prioritizes the well-being of people (including small farmers, producer co-operatives, and large estates), the environment (with a focus on sustainability), and animals (addressing animal rights and welfare).

The primary categories of ethical food include organic and natural, fairtrade, free-range animal welfare-friendly, environmentally responsible, and sustainably produced options. Organic or natural food refers to products grown without artificial pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides, and it is free from synthetic ingredients or additives. These foods undergo various processing methods, both processed and unprocessed, and are distributed through various channels, including both online and offline platforms.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid implementation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the food and beverage sector. Rising costs for imported ingredients such as olive oil, cheese, and tropical fruits are pressuring food manufacturers to either reformulate their products or absorb reduced profit margins. Beverage producers are similarly affected, with tariffs on aluminum cans driving up packaging costs. Meanwhile, retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports like soybeans and pork are disrupting farm-to-processor supply chains. In response, companies are adjusting recipes, increasing local sourcing, and using commodity hedging strategies to manage price volatility.

The ethical food research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides ethical food statistics, including ethical food industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with ethical food share, detailed ethical food segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the ethical food industry. This ethical food research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The ethical food market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $136.28 billion in 2024 to $146.58 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing in environmental concern, growing demand for fairtrade products and strong economic growth in emerging markets.

The ethical food market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to " $192.88 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to government initiatives, growing demand for sustainably packaged food and increasing investments. Major trends in the forecast period include focusing on sustainable packaging to reduce the use of plastics, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and leveraging artificial intelligence, water levels and improve transparency in supply chains.

The forecast of 7.1% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.1% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US by raising prices for Fair Trade-certified coffee and cocoa, sourced from Latin America and Africa, reducing affordability for ethically conscious consumers.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

Growing environmental concerns are anticipated to boost demand for ethical food products. Recent climate changes and issues such as carbon emissions, global warming, plastic pollution, and food waste are compelling companies to prioritize sustainability in their offerings. This shift towards ethical or sustainably certified products is evident among both businesses and consumers. For example, in March 2023, the International Energy Agency, a France-based intergovernmental organization, reported a 1.1% increase in global energy-related CO2 emissions, which added 410 million tonnes, resulting in a record high of 37.4 billion tonnes in 2023. As the impact of food production on the environment becomes more pronounced, the rising demand for sustainable food is prompting companies to adopt sustainable production practices. This trend is expected to significantly drive the growth of the ethical food market in the upcoming period.

The rising focus on health concerns is projected to propel the growth of the ethical food market in the future. Health concerns encompass a broad spectrum of issues related to an individual's well-being and the factors influencing it. These concerns play a pivotal role in encouraging ethical food choices that bring benefits to individuals, communities, and the environment. As reported in July 2022 by Food Insight, a US-based non-profit organization, 52% of participants in the Food and Health Survey adhered to a specific diet or eating pattern, up from 39% in 2021. The top choices included clean eating (16%), mindful eating (14%), and calorie counting (13%). Consequently, the increasing emphasis on health concerns is fostering the growth of the ethical food market.

The adoption of sustainable packaging stands out as a prominent trend embraced by ethical food manufacturers and producers. Companies involved in organic food production are intensifying their emphasis on sustainable packaging to diminish plastic usage and promote environmental friendliness. An example is Alter Eco, which employs eco-friendly packaging for its products, using recyclable plastic for outer boxes. In alignment with this trend, packaging companies are innovating sustainable solutions for organic food and other products. Giro Pack, for instance, has introduced compostable welded bags and compostable net-clipped bags crafted from plant-based or organic materials such as pulp from eucalyptus trees or corn starch. Therefore, the focus of ethical food companies on sustainable or green packaging emerges as a significant trend shaping the ethical food market in the upcoming years.

Prominent companies in the ethical food market are directing their efforts towards the development of innovative products to maintain their market standing, including snack medleys. Snack medleys are assortments or combinations of different snacks packaged together. In June 2023, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., a US-based producer of fruit-based beverages, introduced Snack Medley, a delightful blend of dried fruits. Crafted with high-quality ingredients, this product is available in three appealing combinations designed to satisfy diverse palates. It serves as a nutritious and convenient snack option, particularly suitable for families on the go.

In July 2024, Probios, an Italy-based producer of fermented foods, acquired BiotoBio for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen Probios's position in the European health and wellness food market by leveraging BiotoBio's status as a leading Italian supplier of organic, healthy, and natural foods and cosmetics. The portfolio acquired includes renowned brands such as Baule Volante, Finestra sul Cielo, Fior di Loto, and Vivibio. BiotoBio specializes in producing organic and sustainable food products.

Major companies operating in the ethical food market include Nestle S.A., PepsiCo, The Kraft Heinz Company, General Mills, Inc., Danone S.A, United Natural Foods, Inc, Arla Foods, The Hain Celestial Group, Organic Valley, Vyas Bio Life Sciences Private Limited, Krungthep Trading Co., Ltd, Bw Binyuy Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Solitude Global Impex, Nutra Healthcare, Curemax Pharma, STDM Food & Beverages Private Limited, Titan Biotech Ltd, Wuxi Biologics, FOODCHEM, Sun Green Group, Alfa Laval, Shandong Yuxin Soybean Protein Co, Hipp Gmbh & Co Vertrieb KG, Alnatura Produktions- Und Handels Gmbh, Rewe Markt Gmbh, Aldi Einkauf Gmbh & Co Ohg, Royal Forest Company, Grass LLC, Individual Entrepreneur (Ie) Maslov D.V, Nuttys LLC, Foodimport LLC, Siberian Ecological Products LLC, Chechenskiye Mineralniye Vody LLC, Barinoff Drinks, Austria Juice, Laurul SA, Amy's Kitchen, Whole Foods, Impossible Food, Gardein, Ripple Foods, Smartsweets, Fody Food, Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery, Mother Raw, Lufa Farms, Suja Life, Keurig Dr Pepper, Organic Soda Pops, Uncle Matt's Organic Inc, GURU, Bimbo Group, Illy, Ingredion, Mars Incorporated, Starbucks, RCL Foods Ltd, Astral Foods, Kauai, Ooka, NWK, Natural Herbs And Spices, Daiya Foods Inc, Earth's Own Food Company Inc, Panos Brands Llc, Eden Foods Inc, Freedom Foods Group Ltd, Blue Diamond Growers Inc, Sunopta Inc, Archer Daniels Midland Company

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the ethical food market in 2024. Western Europe was the second-largest region in the global ethical food market. The regions covered in the ethical food market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the ethical food market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain

The ethical food market consists of sales of organic fruits and vegetables, honey, coffee, tea, meat(chicken, pork, lamb, others), sustainable seafood, chocolate, sugar, and other ethical foods. Values in this market are factory gate values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Ethical Food Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on ethical food market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for ethical food ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The ethical food market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Organic And Natural, Fairtrade, Free Range Animal Welfare Friendly And Environmentally Responsible, Sustainably Produced
• 2) By Process: Processed, Unprocessed
• 3) By Mode Of Distribution: Online, Offline
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Organic and Natural: Certified Organic Produce; Organic Grains and Cereals; Organic Dairy Products; Natural Snacks and Beverages
• 2) By Fairtrade: Fairtrade Certified Coffee; Fairtrade Certified Tea; Fairtrade Certified Chocolate; Fairtrade Certified Fruits and Vegetables
• 3) By Free Range, Animal Welfare Friendly, and Environmentally Responsible: Free-Range Poultry Products; Grass-Fed Beef and Lamb; Cage-Free Eggs; Animal Welfare Approved Dairy Products
• 4) By Sustainably Produced: Sustainably Sourced Seafood; Locally Sourced Produce; Regenerative Agriculture Products; Products with Low Carbon Footprint
• Companies Mentioned: Nestle S.A.; PepsiCo; The Kraft Heinz Company; General Mills, Inc.; Danone S.A; United Natural Foods, Inc; Arla Foods; The Hain Celestial Group; Organic Valley; Vyas Bio Life Sciences Private Limited; Krungthep Trading Co., Ltd; Bw Binyuy Holdings (Pty) Ltd; Solitude Global Impex; Nutra Healthcare; Curemax Pharma; STDM Food & Beverages Private Limited; Titan Biotech Ltd; Wuxi Biologics; FOODCHEM; Sun Green Group; Alfa Laval; Shandong Yuxin Soybean Protein Co; Hipp Gmbh & Co Vertrieb KG; Alnatura Produktions- Und Handels Gmbh; Rewe Markt Gmbh; Aldi Einkauf Gmbh & Co Ohg; Royal Forest Company; Grass LLC; Individual Entrepreneur (Ie) Maslov D.V; Nuttys LLC; Foodimport LLC; Siberian Ecological Products LLC; Chechenskiye Mineralniye Vody LLC; Barinoff Drinks; Austria Juice; Laurul SA; Amy's Kitchen; Whole Foods; Impossible Food; Gardein; Ripple Foods; Smartsweets; Fody Food; Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery; Mother Raw; Lufa Farms; Suja Life; Keurig Dr Pepper; Organic Soda Pops; Uncle Matt's Organic Inc; GURU; Bimbo Group; Illy; Ingredion; Mars Incorporated; Starbucks; RCL Foods Ltd; Astral Foods; Kauai; Ooka; NWK; Natural Herbs And Spices; Daiya Foods Inc; Earth's Own Food Company Inc; Panos Brands Llc; Eden Foods Inc; Freedom Foods Group Ltd; Blue Diamond Growers Inc; Sunopta Inc; Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Italy; Spain; Canada
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.