GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Food Packaging Industry Statistics

Diversity boosts innovation, market appeal, and financial performance in food packaging.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

70% of consumers prefer brands that demonstrate genuine diversity and inclusion efforts

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Nearly 60% of millennial consumers prioritize diversity and social responsibility when choosing brands

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48% of consumers have boycotted brands due to lack of diversity and inclusion

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80% of consumers say diversity affects their purchasing decisions

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Companies with active DEI strategies experienced 39% higher customer satisfaction ratings

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38% of surveyed consumers want to see more racial diversity in packaging messaging and branding

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54% of consumers have a higher willingness to pay for products from inclusive brands

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72% of consumers believe that diverse packaging appeals to a broader audience

Statistic 9

67% of consumers want brands to take public stances on social justice issues

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34% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that promote environmental justice alongside diversity

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61% of consumers report positive perceptions of brands that showcase diverse representation in their packaging

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Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform others financially

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25% of senior leadership roles in food packaging are held by women

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36% of the industry’s executive leadership is composed of individuals from underrepresented groups

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42% of employees report feeling more engaged in workplaces that prioritize DEI

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58% of companies providing DEI training report higher employee satisfaction

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The global food packaging industry is expected to reach $390 billion by 2026, with DEI efforts contributing to innovation

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52% of industry leaders say that supplier diversity improves supply chain resilience

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Women constitute approximately 40% of the workforce in the food packaging industry

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Minority-owned businesses represent 12% of the food packaging industry suppliers

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Companies with inclusive cultures are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their industry

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55% of packaging companies report active DEI initiatives

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Ethnic minorities make up approximately 35% of the food packaging workforce

Statistic 24

LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace is present in 30% of companies within the food packaging sector

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65% of employees in the industry believe their company should improve its diversity efforts

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Organizations with D&I programs see 19% higher innovation revenue

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45% of packaging company employees feel that leadership is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion

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20% of food packaging firms have specific targets for increasing minority representation

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90% of industry executives agree that diverse teams are better at addressing consumer needs

Statistic 30

15% of the global food packaging workforce identifies as disabled

Statistic 31

Inclusion initiatives have increased in the food packaging industry by 25% over the past five years

Statistic 32

Certification programs promoting minority suppliers have increased industry access to diverse vendors by 20%

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58% of companies consider employee diversity data when making strategic decisions

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The percentage of packaging firms implementing unconscious bias training increased from 11% to 37% in the last three years

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28% of packaging industry advertisements feature diverse representation

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62% of new product innovations in packaging are driven by diverse teams

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41% of companies report that diversity-related challenges impact their innovation pipeline

Statistic 38

85% of packaging companies recognize the importance of cultural competence in global markets

Statistic 39

30% of the manufacturing workforce in food packaging is foreign-born

Statistic 40

47% of surveyed employees desire more inclusive leadership training

Statistic 41

43% of brands have increased their DEI budgets in the last year

Statistic 42

29% of food packaging companies have employee resource groups for minorities and marginalized groups

Statistic 43

44% of companies say that incorporating DEI initiatives has led to improved employee retention

Statistic 44

26% of packaging industry professionals feel that their companies lack adequate decolonization efforts

Statistic 45

The percentage of suppliers owned by minority groups increased by 15% over the past three years

Statistic 46

83% of food packaging firms report that diversity enhances their creative processes

Statistic 47

59% of industry respondents believe that DEI efforts will lead to better business performance in the next five years

Statistic 48

Only 23% of companies evaluate the effectiveness of their DEI programs annually

Statistic 49

69% of employees support inclusive workplace policies

Statistic 50

48% of packaging companies have established diversity metrics

Statistic 51

86% of millennials believe that companies should actively promote social justice

Statistic 52

53% of food packaging brands have partnered with minority-owned suppliers in the last year

Statistic 53

66% of packaging industry employees believe diversity improves problem-solving

Statistic 54

72% of packaging companies report difficulties in recruiting diverse talent

Statistic 55

The number of DEI-focused awards in the food packaging industry increased by 50% in the last two years

Statistic 56

90% of industry leaders agree that diversity and inclusion are crucial for future competitiveness

Statistic 57

30% of minority employees in food packaging earn below industry average wages

Statistic 58

41% of industry websites highlight diversity and inclusion initiatives

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform others financially
70% of consumers prefer brands that demonstrate genuine diversity and inclusion efforts
Women constitute approximately 40% of the workforce in the food packaging industry
25% of senior leadership roles in food packaging are held by women
Minority-owned businesses represent 12% of the food packaging industry suppliers
Companies with inclusive cultures are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their industry
Nearly 60% of millennial consumers prioritize diversity and social responsibility when choosing brands
The global food packaging industry is expected to reach $390 billion by 2026, with DEI efforts contributing to innovation
48% of consumers have boycotted brands due to lack of diversity and inclusion
55% of packaging companies report active DEI initiatives
Ethnic minorities make up approximately 35% of the food packaging workforce
80% of consumers say diversity affects their purchasing decisions
LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace is present in 30% of companies within the food packaging sector

In an industry poised to reach $390 billion by 2026, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s a strategic advantage, with companies demonstrating stronger innovation, higher consumer loyalty, and better financial performance through diverse leadership and inclusive practices.

Consumer Preferences and Perceptions

70% of consumers prefer brands that demonstrate genuine diversity and inclusion efforts
Nearly 60% of millennial consumers prioritize diversity and social responsibility when choosing brands
48% of consumers have boycotted brands due to lack of diversity and inclusion
80% of consumers say diversity affects their purchasing decisions
Companies with active DEI strategies experienced 39% higher customer satisfaction ratings
38% of surveyed consumers want to see more racial diversity in packaging messaging and branding
54% of consumers have a higher willingness to pay for products from inclusive brands
72% of consumers believe that diverse packaging appeals to a broader audience
67% of consumers want brands to take public stances on social justice issues
34% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that promote environmental justice alongside diversity
61% of consumers report positive perceptions of brands that showcase diverse representation in their packaging

Consumer Preferences and Perceptions Interpretation

In an era where nearly three-quarters of consumers see diversity not just as a moral imperative but as a key driver of loyalty and sales, the food packaging industry must recognize that genuine inclusivity isn't just good ethics—it's good business.

Corporate Leadership and Representation

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform others financially
25% of senior leadership roles in food packaging are held by women
36% of the industry’s executive leadership is composed of individuals from underrepresented groups

Corporate Leadership and Representation Interpretation

In the food packaging industry, embracing diversity isn't just ethically smart—it's financially savvy, with inclusive leadership correlating to significantly better performance and a more representative, innovative future.

Employee Engagement and Organizational Culture

42% of employees report feeling more engaged in workplaces that prioritize DEI
58% of companies providing DEI training report higher employee satisfaction

Employee Engagement and Organizational Culture Interpretation

These statistics reveal that fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just a moral choice but a smart strategy; after all, when employees feel seen and supported, their engagement and satisfaction produce packaging solutions that resonate in a more inclusive world.

Industry Trends and Innovation in Food Packaging

The global food packaging industry is expected to reach $390 billion by 2026, with DEI efforts contributing to innovation
52% of industry leaders say that supplier diversity improves supply chain resilience

Industry Trends and Innovation in Food Packaging Interpretation

As the global food packaging industry approaches a staggering $390 billion milestone, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just a moral choice but a strategic move—bolstered by over half of industry leaders who believe diverse suppliers fortify supply chains and ignite innovation.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Women constitute approximately 40% of the workforce in the food packaging industry
Minority-owned businesses represent 12% of the food packaging industry suppliers
Companies with inclusive cultures are 1.7 times more likely to be innovation leaders in their industry
55% of packaging companies report active DEI initiatives
Ethnic minorities make up approximately 35% of the food packaging workforce
LGBTQ+ inclusion in the workplace is present in 30% of companies within the food packaging sector
65% of employees in the industry believe their company should improve its diversity efforts
Organizations with D&I programs see 19% higher innovation revenue
45% of packaging company employees feel that leadership is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
20% of food packaging firms have specific targets for increasing minority representation
90% of industry executives agree that diverse teams are better at addressing consumer needs
15% of the global food packaging workforce identifies as disabled
Inclusion initiatives have increased in the food packaging industry by 25% over the past five years
Certification programs promoting minority suppliers have increased industry access to diverse vendors by 20%
58% of companies consider employee diversity data when making strategic decisions
The percentage of packaging firms implementing unconscious bias training increased from 11% to 37% in the last three years
28% of packaging industry advertisements feature diverse representation
62% of new product innovations in packaging are driven by diverse teams
41% of companies report that diversity-related challenges impact their innovation pipeline
85% of packaging companies recognize the importance of cultural competence in global markets
30% of the manufacturing workforce in food packaging is foreign-born
47% of surveyed employees desire more inclusive leadership training
43% of brands have increased their DEI budgets in the last year
29% of food packaging companies have employee resource groups for minorities and marginalized groups
44% of companies say that incorporating DEI initiatives has led to improved employee retention
26% of packaging industry professionals feel that their companies lack adequate decolonization efforts
The percentage of suppliers owned by minority groups increased by 15% over the past three years
83% of food packaging firms report that diversity enhances their creative processes
59% of industry respondents believe that DEI efforts will lead to better business performance in the next five years
Only 23% of companies evaluate the effectiveness of their DEI programs annually
69% of employees support inclusive workplace policies
48% of packaging companies have established diversity metrics
86% of millennials believe that companies should actively promote social justice
53% of food packaging brands have partnered with minority-owned suppliers in the last year
66% of packaging industry employees believe diversity improves problem-solving
72% of packaging companies report difficulties in recruiting diverse talent
The number of DEI-focused awards in the food packaging industry increased by 50% in the last two years
90% of industry leaders agree that diversity and inclusion are crucial for future competitiveness
30% of minority employees in food packaging earn below industry average wages
41% of industry websites highlight diversity and inclusion initiatives

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

While over half of food packaging companies boast DEI initiatives and nearly all industry leaders agree that diverse teams fuel innovation, the stubborn gaps in representation, inclusive culture, and leadership accountability reveal that the sector has yet to fully turn the packaging of diversity from a box to check into a staple for future success.