Air-dried Food Market Size By Product (Fruits & Vegetables, Herbs & Spices, Meat, Seafood), By Form (Power, Granules, Flakes), By Technique (Hot Air Dying, Freeze Drying), & By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Air-dried Food Market and Forecast

Air-dried Food Market size is valued at USD 24.89 Billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 53.27 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.98% from 2024 to 2031.

Air-dried food is a dehydration process that reduces moisture content in food products, extending shelf life while retaining the nutritional value and flavor profile of the original food.

It is used in various sectors, including individual consumption, camping, emergency preparedness, commercial applications, and ingredient powders. The market is expected to grow due to increasing demand for convenience, health and wellness trends, sustainability focus, product innovation, and emerging markets.

Air-dried food is popular for its health benefits, low-energy dehydration process, and potential for product innovation. As technology and consumer preferences evolve, further advancements and innovations in this space are expected.

Global Air-dried Food Market Dynamics

The key market dynamics that are shaping the air-dried food market include:

Key Market Drivers:

Growing Demand for Convenient and Healthy Snacks: The growing customer preference for healthy, handy snacks is propelling the air-dried food market. According to an International Food Information Council (IFIC) survey, 43% of consumers in 2020 evaluated healthfulness to be an important criterion when selecting foods and beverages, up from 37% in 2019. This trend has increased demand for air-dried fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options.

Extended Shelf Life and Reduced Food Waste: Air-dried foods have a prolonged shelf life, which appeals to both customers and retailers trying to avoid food waste. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that roughly 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted worldwide each year. Air-drying can increase the shelf life of many goods by months or even years. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), air-dried apple slices can last up to 6 months at room temperature, although fresh apples normally last 1-2 months when refrigerated.

Rising Outdoor Activities and Demand for Lightweight, Nutritious Food: The growing popularity of outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and backpacking is driving up demand for lightweight, non-perishable food options. According to the 2021 North American Camping Report by Kampgrounds of America (KOA), the number of first-time campers increased by 31% in 2020 compared to 2019. This tendency propels the market for air-dried goods, which are lightweight and provide necessary nutrition for outdoor enthusiasts.

Key Challenges:

Texture and Taste: Compared to fresh or traditionally dried alternatives, air-dried foods have different textures and tastes. It is difficult for producers to achieve appropriate dehydration while maintaining ideal sensory qualities.

Production Costs: The initial outlay for technology and equipment for air drying, together with the energy expenditures related to the drying procedure, add up. Manufacturers have a problem in controlling manufacturing costs while maintaining product quality and uniformity.

Market Competition: Traditional drying methods, hoover drying, freeze-drying, and other preservation processes compete with air-dried food. To compete with various other approaches, one must stand out for reasons of flavor, quality, and nutritional content.

Supply Chain Considerations: Air-dried foods have specific storage and transportation requirements to maintain product quality and shelf life. Ensuring efficient logistics and distribution while minimizing the risk of product damage or spoilage poses challenges for the supply chain.

Key Opportunities:

Product Innovation: To address changing customer tastes and nutritional trends, the air-dried food industry offers chances for product innovation and diversification, including the creation of novel flavors, formulas, and package forms.

Growth into Novel Markets: Foods that have been air-dried possess the capacity to expand into untapped markets and customer demographics, such as health-conscious people, athletes, and outdoor enthusiasts in search of quick and wholesome snack alternatives, creating better growth opportunities.

Trends in Health and Wellbeing: Growing emphasis on health and wellbeing is creating lucrative opportunities for air-dried meals. Also, the need for natural, clean-label, and nutrient-dense alternatives compared to processed snacks further bolsters the market growth. The marketing tactics highlighting functional components and health advantages are likely to draw health-conscious consumers.

Sustainable Practices: As consumer awareness of environmental sustainability grows, air-dried food producers have the chance to incorporate sustainable practices into every stage of production. Some of these practices include using eco-friendly packaging options, minimizing food waste, and obtaining ingredients that are grown locally.

Global Air-dried Food Market Regional Analysis

Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the air-dried food market:

Asia Pacific:

The Asia Pacific region is estimated to exhibit the highest growth within the market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is rapidly urbanizing, resulting in busy lifestyles and a rising desire for accessible, healthful food options. According to the United Nations, Asia's urban population is expected to increase from 2.3 billion in 2020 to 3.5 billion in 2050. This urbanization trend is fueling the market for air-dried foods as quick, nutritious meal and snack alternatives.

Increased health awareness and food safety concerns in the Asia Pacific area are driving up demand for air-dried foods. According to a survey conducted by Food Industry Asia (FIA), 68% of regional consumers are more concerned about their overall health and well-being as a result of COVID-19. This health-conscious trend is seen in the expanding demand for healthier snacks.

Furthermore, the burgeoning middle class in the Asia Pacific, with its increasing disposable money, is boosting demand for premium and novel food products, such as air-dried foods. The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2030, Asia will account for 66% of the global middle-class population and 59% of middle-class consumption. This economic expansion is evident in the snack food market.

North America:

North America is estimated to dominate the market during the forecast period. North America has seen a substantial increase in health-conscious consumers seeking clean-label products. According to the International Food Information Council's 2020 Food and Health Survey, 43% of Americans consistently or frequently seek out clean-label items. This trend favors the air-dried food sector, which is typically seen as a more natural and healthier alternative.

The popularity of outdoor activities in North America is fueling demand for lightweight, nutritious, and quick food options such as air-dried meals. The Outdoor Industry Association claimed that in 2020, despite the pandemic, 53% of Americans aged 6 and up participated in outdoor recreation at least once, the greatest rate on record. This trend has had a direct impact on the air-dried food industry, as these goods are suitable for hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that outdoor recreation contributed USD 459.8 Billion to the US economy in 2019, underlining the considerable market potential for air-dried food in this sector.

Furthermore, North America controls the worldwide snack food market, and air-dried fruits and vegetables are becoming popular as healthy snack options. For example, the dried fruit snack segment in the United States increased by 12% in 2019, according to USDA Economic Research Service data.

Global Air-dried Food Market: Segmentation Analysis

The Air-dried Food Market is segmented based on Product, Form, Technique, and Geography.

Air-dried Food Market, By Product

Herbs and Spices

Fruits and Vegetables

Meat

Coffee Beans

Others

Based on Product, the market is segmented into Herbs and Spices, Coffee Beans, Meat, Fruits and Vegetables, and Others. The coffee bean segment is estimated to hold the largest share of the air-dried food market. The growing popularity of spray drying is enhancing its use in coffee beans for maintaining essence and flavor. Also, the growing demand for coffee beans from Starbucks and Tully's Coffee is projected to further surge the demand for coffee beans.

Air-dried Food Market, By Form

Powder

Granules

Flakes

Based on Form, the air-dried food market is segmented into Flakes, Granules, and Powder. The powder segment is projected to dominate the market over the forecast period. Growing demand for easy-to-eat or cooked meals along with secure storage and longer shelf life surges the demand for powdered form.

Air-dried Food Market, By Technique

Hot Air Drying

Freeze Drying

Based on Technique, the market is divided into Freeze Drying and Hot Air Drying. The hot air drying technique is projected to dominate the market over the forecast period. The need for quick drying of slurry or liquid products into powder is bolstering the use of the hot air drying process.

Air-dried Food Market, By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Rest of The World

Based on Geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is estimated to dominate the market. This dominance is primarily due to the demand for healthy as well as ready-to-cook meals among workaholic consumers. Also, the early emergence of technologies in the United States further boosts the growth of the market in this region.

Key Players

• The "Air-dried Food Market" study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Dole, Mondelez International, Hershey, Lancaster Colony Corporation, and Strauss Group.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.

• Air-dried Food Market Recent Developments
• In January 2019, Ice Make Refrigeration Limited, one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of cooling solution equipment, launched a new food dehydration device for dehydrating various food products.
• In April 2019, Fox's Biscuits, a British biscuit manufacturer, announced the launch of its new cookie range with the inclusion of dried raspberry and hazelnut.