Key Takeaways
- Global food and beverage packaging market size was valued at USD 429.9 billion in 2023
- The global food and beverage packaging market is projected to reach USD 638.6 billion by 2032
- Global packaging waste generated from food and drink is projected to be 12 million tonnes by 2040
- Global food waste at retail and consumer levels was 13.2% of food produced
- Food loss and waste accounts for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions
- Household food waste per capita in Europe was about 47 kg per year
- The number of people facing hunger rose to 828 million in 2021 (in context of food system efficiency)
- FAO reports hunger rose from 768 million in 2020 to 828 million in 2021
- The State of Food Security and Nutrition 2022 estimates 2.4 billion people experience moderate or severe food insecurity
- WHO recommends limiting free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake
- WHO recommends reducing free sugars further to less than 5% of total energy intake
- WHO estimates 41 million children under 5 were overweight in 2020
- In 2023, about 55% of UK businesses were using data/analytics to improve operations (as proxy, not FoodTech-specific)
- In 2023, the UK had 3.5 million businesses using cloud computing (proxy)
Packaging growth and rising waste pressures are driving faster adoption of safer, more sustainable food systems.
Market Size & Growth
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
Waste, Sustainability & Loss
Waste, Sustainability & Loss Interpretation
Food Security & Demand
Food Security & Demand Interpretation
Regulations, Standards & Health
Regulations, Standards & Health Interpretation
Technology, Automation & R&D
Technology, Automation & R&D Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Priya Chandrasekaran. (2026, February 13). Food Technology Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/food-technology-industry-statistics
Priya Chandrasekaran. "Food Technology Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/food-technology-industry-statistics.
Priya Chandrasekaran. 2026. "Food Technology Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/food-technology-industry-statistics.
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