Gitnux/Report 2026

Freeze-Dried Food Industry Statistics

The global freeze-dried food market reached $46.20 billion in 2026, explore the latest figures on growth, companies and trends shaping production and demand.
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November 11, 2026Updated
Freeze-Dried Food Industry Statistics
Aisha OkonkwoWritten by Aisha Okonkwo·Edited by Sophie Moreland·Fact-checked by Abigail Foster
Published ·Updated
How this report is researched
01Editorial Scope

An editor sets the topic, the inclusion criteria, and the evaluation framework before research starts.

02Source Research

AI search agents locate sources and extract each figure together with the document it came from.

Read our full methodology →

Search agents attach provenance to every extracted figure.

Next review: within 31 days

01 Industry overview

The freeze dried food industry at a glance

The global freeze-dried food market is estimated at $46.20 billion in 2026, with Asia-Pacific leading regional demand and the market forecast to grow at a 7.02% CAGR through 2034.

$46.20B[55]
Global market size, 2026
7.02%[55]
Forecast CAGR, 2026–2034
36.8%[55]
Asia-Pacific share, 2025
31.7%[55]
Fruit segment share, 2025
Market size
The global freeze-dried food market was valued at $43.17 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $46.20 billion in 2026. Straits Research forecasts the market to reach $79.50 billion by 2034.[55]
Forecast & CAGR
The market is forecast to expand at a 7.02% compound annual growth rate from 2026 to 2034. North America is identified as the fastest-growing region, with a projected 9.6% CAGR over the same period.[55]
Market share & regions
Asia-Pacific held the largest regional share at 36.8% in 2025. North America is forecast to be the fastest-growing regional market, with a 9.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2034.[55]
Segmentation
Fruit products were the leading product segment, accounting for 31.7% of the market in 2025. Business-to-business distribution was the leading channel, with a 61.8% share, while organic products were forecast to grow at a 10.2% CAGR.[55]
Key players & concentration
Major companies identified in the market include Nestlé, Ajinomoto, European Freeze Dry, Asahi Group Foods and OFD Foods, which markets Mountain House products. Mordor Intelligence characterizes market concentration as medium.[12]
Trends, drivers & challenges
Demand is supported by longer shelf life, portability, convenience and the use of freeze-dried ingredients in snacks, meals, pet nutrition and food manufacturing. The main commercial challenges include the capital intensity of freeze-drying equipment and the need to manage raw-material, energy and packaging costs.[12][55]
Consumer behavior & competition
Consumer discovery of snack formats and social-media exposure are supporting trial of freeze-dried candy and fruit products. In the United States, growing camping participation is creating additional demand for lightweight freeze-dried meals, while competition spans branded food companies, specialist freeze-dried producers and private-label suppliers.[12]
Regulation
In Wisconsin, businesses selling food produced by freeze-drying must obtain a license, according to a March 2026 state food-safety fact sheet. The document describes freeze-drying as removing moisture from a frozen product under low temperature and vacuum conditions.[37]
Latest news
Freeze-dried foods were identified as a notable food trend entering 2025, reflecting wider consumer interest in shelf-stable, portable and snack-oriented formats. Recent market research published in 2026 continues to identify freeze-dried candy, fruit and outdoor meals as important demand applications.[56][12]

02 Ranking

Top 10 Companies in the Freeze Dried Food Industry

The leading companies in the freeze dried food industry, ranked on market impact, performance, momentum, innovation and brand popularity.

Updated November 11, 2026 · Next review December 11, 2026

Verdict

Ajinomoto stands out for freeze-dried and prepared food output because it reports an 12.6% operating margin, while Thrive Freeze Dry focuses on freeze-dried meals and pet products since it operates facilities across the United States, Canada, Germany, and Peru after its 2024 expansion.

Ranked by Overall score · How we score ↓

Editor's top 3 picks

Where to start, by need.

  1. #1 Overall · Leader in freeze-dried meals

    Ajinomoto

    JP

    Ranked #1 · 9.1 · Freeze-dried meals

    Why we picked it: It stands out across freeze-dried and prepared foods with an an 12.6% operating margin in 2026-linked reporting and sustained R&D at 2% of revenue.

    See in ranking ↓Visit ajinomoto.com ↗

  2. Leader in freeze-dried coffee

    Nestlé

    CH

    Ranked #3 · 8.4 · Freeze-dried coffee

    Why we picked it: It stands out via freeze-dried coffee and food offerings tied to a CHF24.6 billion in 2025 coffee sales base.

    See in ranking ↓Visit nestle.com ↗

  3. Leader in contract freeze-dried production

    European Freeze Dry

    DK

    Ranked #5 · 8.2 · Contract freeze-dried production

    Why we picked it: It stands out for ingredients and meals manufacturing with contract production support for EU food manufacturers.

    See in ranking ↓Visit europeanfreezedry.com ↗

Pick 1 is the #1 company overall. Picks 2 and 3 are the highest-ranked companies in the top 5 that add a new segment.

Full ranking

Sort by
Top 10 companies in the freeze dried food industry, 2026 – Gitnux ranking
#CompanyOverall ↓Company snapshot
1

Ajinomoto

Freeze-dried meals · JP

9.1
2

Thrive Freeze Dry

Freeze-dried meals · US

8.6
3

Nestlé

Freeze-dried coffee · CH

8.4
4

Asahi Group Holdings

Freeze-dried meals · JP

8.4
5

European Freeze Dry

Contract freeze-dried production · DK

8.2
6

OFD Foods

Freeze-dried meals and ingredients, United States · US

8.2
7

Drytech

Freeze-dried outdoor meals, Europe · NO

7.9
8

Forager Food Co.

Freeze-dried foods and ingredients, Australia · AU

7.9
9

LYOFOOD

Freeze-dried outdoor meals, Europe · PL

7.9
10

Harmony House Foods

Freeze-dried fruits, vegetables and meals, US · US

7.9

How we score

  • Impact (30%): scale and weight in the market (revenue, market share, employees, market position).

Popularity (brand search demand, 15%) counts toward Overall but is not published as a column. Overall leaves out what is not known.

Scale Scores are shown on a 7–10 scale with one decimal; bars start at 7.0.

Cadence Recalculated when new figures are published; next review December 11, 2026.

Independence. Rankings are editorially independent. Scores, ranks, picks and the verdict follow the method above; no company can pay to change them.

Cite this ranking

APA

Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Top 10 companies in the freeze dried food industry. In Freeze-Dried Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/freeze-dried-food-industry-statistics/#top-companies

04 Statistics

Technology & Innovation

Automation and equipment additions show up in facility examples, including 15 freeze dryers installed at Muenster Milling’s Denton, Texas site.

Automation in the freeze dried food industry

  • 15 freeze dryers were installed at Muenster Milling’s new Denton, Texas facility, which incorporates automated systems and labor-saving tray loading.[1]
  • 6 freeze dryers were operational at Sow Good’s Irving, Texas facility in 2024, with 6 additional units available for deployment by the end of 2025.[2]
  • 100% of MicroDried’s production processes are computer-automated, covering receiving, processing, packaging and shipping across its freeze-dried food operations.[3]
  • 3 new freezers were installed by Sow Good during 2024, increasing production capacity for its freeze-dried candy business.[2]

Digital Transformation in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • Among EU food-manufacturing enterprises, 51.2% had very low digital intensity in 2023, down from 55.1% in 2021.[4]
  • In the United States, 61% of farmers reported adopting digital agronomy technologies in 2024.[5]
  • Among EU food-manufacturing enterprises, 3.4% had very high digital intensity in 2023, compared with 2.1% in 2021.[4]
  • Among EU food-manufacturing enterprises, 15.4% had high digital intensity in 2023, compared with 13.0% in 2021.[4]
  • Across the EU agri-food industrial ecosystem, 20% of companies had a concrete digital-transformation strategy in 2024.[4]

Technology Adoption in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • Across EU farms with utilised agricultural area, about 18% used some form of precision-farming technology or practice in 2023.[6]
  • Across EU farms, 43% had internet access, 11% used farm-management information systems, and 7% used robotics in 2023.[6]
  • In Chile, 12% of agricultural production units reported using a technological tool such as mobile applications, drones, or sensors in 2021.[6]
  • In Canada, 84% of field-crop operations used GPS equipment in 2021.[6]
  • In Germany, 85.5% of surveyed farms used at least one digital technology in 2024–2025.[6]
  • In Czechia, 30% of crop-production farmers used at least one precision-agriculture technology in 2023.[6]

Cloud Computing in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • Across EU businesses, 45% purchased cloud-computing services in 2023.[7]
  • Across EU agri-food businesses, 37% used cloud computing in 2024, up from 26% in 2023.[4]
  • Across EU agri-food businesses, 26% used cloud computing in 2023.[4]
  • Among EU large businesses, 78% purchased cloud-computing services in 2023, compared with 44% of SMEs.[7]

Big Data in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • In Germany, 5.0% of surveyed farms used artificial-intelligence or big-data technologies in 2024–2025.[6]
  • Across EU agri-food businesses, 17% used big-data technologies in 2023.[4]
  • Across EU agri-food businesses, 307 startups focused on artificial intelligence and big data were formed between 2015 and 2023.[4]
  • Across EU agri-food businesses, 13% used big-data technologies in 2024, compared with 17% in 2023.[4]

IoT in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • Across EU agri-food businesses, 24% used Internet of Things technologies in 2024, up from 10% in 2023.[4]
  • Across EU agri-food businesses, 10% used Internet of Things technologies in 2023.[4]
  • Across EU farms with livestock, about 11% used animal-welfare or health-monitoring systems in 2023.[6]
  • Among agri-food companies investing more than 30% of annual turnover in digital technologies, 5.41% prioritised Internet of Things technologies in 2024.[4]

Innovation in the freeze dried food industry

  • 24 freeze-dried product SKUs were offered by Sow Good at December 31, 2024, comprising 21 candy SKUs and 3 Crunch Cream SKUs.[2]
  • 3 freeze dryers supported Sow Good’s initial commercial production capacity when the company reported its 2023 operating results.[2]
  • 24 hours is the maximum processing time stated by Sow Good for its freeze-drying process, which concentrates flavor and creates a crunchy product.[2]

05 Statistics

Data & Analytics

Manufacturers continue to report data-quality constraints, with 42% reporting a process to verify operational data accuracy or quality in 2025.

Data Quality in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • 42% of manufacturers reported having a process to verify operational data accuracy or quality in 2025, indicating that most lacked a formal validation process.[8]
  • 41% of manufacturers said they distrusted the data used for supply-chain operations in 2025, reflecting persistent data-quality concerns in production and procurement.[9]
  • 44% of manufacturers reported that AI projects had failed because of poor data quality in 2025, according to a survey of manufacturing organizations.[9]
  • 30% of manufacturing respondents identified poor-quality data as one of their top three challenges when working with AI-related data in 2024.[8]
  • 49% of manufacturing respondents rated their operational data as having low AI readiness in 2024, meaning it was insufficiently labeled, contextualized, governed or accessible.[8]

Data Governance in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • 69% of food and beverage companies still relied on spreadsheets and email for core operations in 2025, limiting standardized access and control of business data.[10]
  • 61% of manufacturers reported having a corporate-wide governance plan, strategy or formal guidelines for how data is collected, organized, accessed and used in 2024.[8]
  • 15% of manufacturers said their data strategy was entirely aligned with their overall business strategy in 2024, while 31% said it was very closely aligned.[8]
  • 40% of food and beverage professionals worldwide identified disconnected systems and data as their biggest barrier to moving faster in 2026.[10]
  • 61% of supply-management organizations reported having a dedicated data-governance function in 2024, while 90% agreed that data governance was necessary.[11]
  • 6% of food and beverage leaders reported fully integrated digital systems in 2025, despite 82% saying technology adoption was a strategic priority.[10]

06 Statistics

Strategy & Growth

Capacity expansion and category pull are measurable in specific initiatives, including Sow Good’s stated freeze-dried candy capacity of 24 million units per year for 2024.

Growth in the freeze dried food industry

  • 35.43% was North America’s share of the freeze-dried fruits and vegetables market in 2025.[12]
  • 6 additional freeze dryers were available for Sow Good to activate as needed by the end of 2025, United States.[2]
  • 3 times was the increase in Petsource by Scoular’s freeze-drying capacity following its $75 million Nebraska expansion, completed in 2024.[1]
  • 30 million units was Sow Good’s planned combined production capacity by the end of 2024, including company and co-manufacturer facilities.[2]
  • 9.52% was the projected annual growth rate for organic freeze-dried fruits and vegetables through 2031.[12]
  • $1 billion was the reported 2023 sales value of freeze-dried pet food, according to Muenster Milling, United States.[1]

Differentiation in the freeze dried food industry

  • 2 patents were cited by Kikkoman for its freeze-dried soy-sauce and salt-koji manufacturing know-how in Japan, in 2025.[13]
  • 6 bespoke freeze dryers were built by Sow Good using proprietary technology tailored to freeze-dried candy products, in 2025, United States.[2]
  • 3 SKUs were in Sow Good’s freeze-dried Crunch Cream line at December 31, 2024, United States.[2]
  • 40 varieties of freeze-dried fruit and vegetables differentiated Sunny Land Productions’ product range, in 2024, Uzbekistan.[14]
  • 21 SKUs were in Sow Good’s freeze-dried candy line at December 31, 2024, United States.[2]

Mergers and acquisitions in the freeze dried food industry

  • 1 Serbian freeze-dried fruit company, Frikos, was acquired by Döhler to strengthen its global freeze-dried fruit portfolio, in 2024.[15]
  • 4 countries comprised Thrive Freeze Dry’s manufacturing footprint after its 2024 acquisition of Paradiesfrucht: the United States, Canada, Germany and Peru.[16]
  • 1 German freeze-dried manufacturer, Paradiesfrucht GmbH, was acquired by Thrive Freeze Dry in 2024 to expand its European footprint.[17]

Strategic partnerships in the freeze dried food industry

  • 1 strategic partnership between Thrive Freeze Dry and Paradiesfrucht was described as expanding access to European and international freeze-dried product markets, in 2024.[16]
  • 1 exclusive distribution agreement was entered by Sow Good with a third-party distributor for its freeze-dried candy products in December 2025.[2]
  • 1 partnership with Showa Sangyo supported Eiyoh’s development of soy-protein products resembling squid and shrimp, Japan.[18]
  • 30 million units was the planned capacity from Sow Good’s own operations and co-manufacturing relationships by the end of 2024.[2]
  • 2 additional countries—China and Colombia—were added to Sow Good’s co-manufacturing network by 2024.[2]

07 Statistics

People & Workforce

Workforce scaling appears alongside packaging roles, including 194 employees dedicated to hand-packaging freeze-dried treats at December 31, 2023.

Hiring in the freeze dried food industry

  • 7-fold was the reported increase in Sow Good’s employee headcount from March 2023 through the company’s 2024 securities filing.[2]
  • 194 employees were dedicated to hand-packaging Sow Good’s freeze-dried treats at December 31, 2023.[2]

Remote Work in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • Across U.S. agriculture and food employers, 35% offered some type of remote-work arrangement in 2024, according to AgCareers’ industry hiring report.[19]
  • Across U.S. agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, about 12% of workers worked remotely during October 2023–September 2024, including hybrid and fully remote work.[20]
  • Across U.S. accommodation and food services, 4.8% of workers worked remotely in 2021, up from 1.9% in 2019 and 5.3% in 2020.[21]
  • Across U.S. crop and animal production, 14.4% of workers worked remotely in 2021, compared with 14.7% in 2019 and 15.4% in 2020.[21]

Hybrid Work in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • 33% of Australian FMCG and agribusiness professionals reported working in hybrid arrangements in 2024.[22]
  • Among science-of-food professionals surveyed in 2024, 36% reported having no work-at-home days per week.[23]
  • 44% of Australian FMCG and agribusiness professionals preferred part-time remote work in 2024.[22]
  • Among science-of-food professionals surveyed globally in 2024, respondents averaged 2.1 work-at-home days per week.[23]
  • 13% of Australian FMCG and agribusiness professionals preferred full-time on-site work in 2024.[22]

Employee Engagement in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • In the agriculture industry, employees averaged 7.68 out of 10 for engagement and an eNPS of +5 in CultureMonkey’s 2026 benchmark.[24]
  • At Europe Snacks, a multinational food manufacturer, employee engagement reached 79% across its international workforce and 88% in its UK business after a structured listening program.[25]
  • Manufacture, distribution and storage organizations recorded an average employee-engagement score of 72.9% in People Insight’s global benchmark data.[25]
  • Employees in manufacture, distribution and storage organizations scored 59.3% on leadership in People Insight’s global benchmark data.[25]
  • Employees in manufacture, distribution and storage organizations scored 60.9% on enablement in People Insight’s global benchmark data.[25]

Change Management in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • Among food and beverage processors surveyed in 2020, 40% reported changing a process as a structural change.[26]
  • Among consumer packaged goods executives surveyed, 54% said resources dedicated to change programs had increased during the previous 12 months.[27]
  • Among food and beverage processors surveyed in 2020, 31% reported changing elements of their supply chain as a structural change.[26]
  • Among food and beverage processors surveyed in 2020, 37% reported expansions, renovations or added capacity as structural changes.[26]
  • Among food and beverage processors surveyed in 2020, 53% reported conducting safety-related training as a structural change.[26]

08 Statistics

Customer & Sales

Digital demand indicators remain central in case examples, including 152,000 website visits recorded for Sow Good from June 2021 launch through December 31, 2023.

Customer experience in the freeze dried food industry

  • 41% of surveyed Australian consumers wanted FareShare’s freeze-dried products sold through online retailers in 2025.[28]
  • 40% of surveyed Australian consumers said recommendations from friends or family would increase their likelihood of buying FareShare’s freeze-dried meals in 2025.[28]
  • 50% of surveyed Australian consumers said discounts or promotions would increase their likelihood of buying FareShare’s freeze-dried meals in 2025.[28]
  • 90% of Australian consumers unlikely to purchase FareShare’s freeze-dried meals said they preferred cooking fresh food in 2025.[28]
  • 31% of surveyed Australian consumers wanted to purchase FareShare’s freeze-dried products directly from its website in 2025.[28]

Customer acquisition in the freeze dried food industry

  • 152,000 website visits were recorded for Sow Good from its June 2021 launch through December 31, 2023, including 63,000 visits after its freeze-dried candy launch in March 2023.[2]
  • 97% new consumer acquisition was reported in a digital product-sampling case study for Cool Beans, a frozen-food brand, in Canada.[29]
  • 63,000 website visits were recorded for Sow Good after the company launched its freeze-dried candy in March 2023 through December 31, 2023.[2]

09 Statistics

Marketing & Brand

Launch-era performance metrics are documented for freeze-dried candy, including 5.70% online conversion rate in the first 14 days after Zesty Snackz’s July 24, 2026 launch.

Marketing in the freeze dried food industry

  • 152,000 total website visits were recorded for Sow Good from launch on June 30, 2021 through December 31, 2023.[2]
  • 264% growth in attributed email revenue was reported by freeze-dried candy brand Candy Jan after six months of email marketing work.[30]
  • 298% growth in email click-through rates was reported by freeze-dried candy brand Candy Jan over six months.[30]
  • 612% growth above industry benchmarks in email opt-in rates was reported by freeze-dried candy brand Candy Jan after its marketing changes.[30]
  • 63,000 website visits followed Sow Good’s March 2023 freeze-dried candy launch through December 31, 2023.[2]

Digital marketing in the freeze dried food industry

  • 612% above benchmark was Candy Jan’s increase in email opt-in rates after six months of digital marketing optimization.[30]
  • 5.70% was Zesty Snackz’s online conversion rate during the first 14 days after its July 24, 2026 launch, up from 5.07%.[31]
  • 23.9% growth in average order value was recorded by U.S. freeze-dried snack brand Zesty Snackz during the first 14 days after its July 24, 2026 launch.[31]
  • 124.8% sales growth was recorded by U.S. freeze-dried snack brand Zesty Snackz in the first 14 days after its July 24, 2026 digital launch.[31]
  • 57% above average was Candy Jan’s email click-through rate after six months of digital marketing optimization.[30]

Branding in the freeze dried food industry

  • 500,000 units had been sold by U.S. freeze-dried candy brand Candeeze by 2025.[32]
  • 8.2 million views were generated overnight by Candeeze’s first viral TikTok in 2023, causing its first product sellout.[32]
  • 280,000 followers were gained by U.S. freeze-dried candy brand Candeeze in seven days after a TikTok product launch.[33]

Social media in the freeze dried food industry

  • 280,000 followers were gained by Candeeze in seven days after its TikTok launch strategy.[33]
  • 32 million or more views were generated by Candeeze’s most-viewed TikTok product-launch video.[33]
  • Nearly 500,000 TikTok followers were reported for The Candy Closet after its freeze-dried candy videos became popular.[34]
  • 4.7 billion TikTok views had been recorded for the hashtag #freezedriedcandy by March 2025.[35]
  • 54,800 shares were generated by Candeeze’s most-viewed TikTok product-launch video.[33]

Influencer Marketing in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • Food and drink influencer content produced an estimated $122 billion in earned media value globally in 2023.[36]
  • Food and drink influencer content generated 392 billion impressions globally in 2023.[36]
  • Food and drink influencer posts achieved a 1.19% average engagement rate globally in 2023.[36]
  • Food and drink influencer content generated 42.7 billion engagements globally in 2023.[36]
  • 11.5 million influencer posts covered food and drink globally in 2023, according to Sprout Social’s benchmark dataset.[36]

10 Statistics

Operations & Execution

Freeze-drying throughput and process outcomes are tied to stated cycle and moisture-removal limits, with 24 hours as a maximum processing time reported in 2024.

Process optimization in the freeze dried food industry

  • 6 custom-built freeze dryers at Sow Good’s Irving, Texas facility could produce up to 24 million freeze-dried candy units annually in 2024.[2]
  • 24 hours was the maximum freeze-drying cycle time reported by Sow Good for its candy products in the United States in 2024.[2]
  • 99% of product moisture can be removed through Sow Good’s freeze-drying process, according to its 2025 annual report.[2]
  • 1 production section could be deactivated without shutting down the entire freeze dryer under Sow Good’s proprietary process-control system in 2024.[2]

Operational efficiency in the freeze dried food industry

  • 113% was BranchOut Food’s reported year-over-year revenue growth in 2025, reaching approximately $14 million as its dried-food business expanded.[2]
  • 6 freeze dryers were operational at Sow Good’s Irving, Texas facility at December 31, 2024, with 6 additional units planned for operation by the end of 2025.[2]
  • 14 million units per year was the combined freeze-drying capacity described by Sow Good for its Texas, China and Colombia facilities in 2023.[2]
  • 324,000 square feet of additional manufacturing and industrial space was leased by Sow Good in Dallas, Texas, in May 2024 to improve warehousing and distribution operations.[2]

Quality management in the freeze dried food industry

  • 0.88 water activity was the maximum threshold stated by Wisconsin regulators for freeze-dried food to be considered shelf-stable.[37]
  • 1 freeze-drying process step does not provide a pathogen kill step, according to Wisconsin food-safety guidance issued in 2026.[37]
  • 3 quality controls—water-activity monitoring, dehumidification and sensory testing—were specifically identified by Sow Good for protecting product texture and flavor in 2024.[2]

Supply chain in the freeze dried food industry

  • 2% of Sow Good’s sales came from e-commerce or less as of December 31, 2024, with wholesale and retail channels dominating distribution.[2]
  • 10% of distributor gross receipts became Sow Good’s contractual revenue share after the company sold its manufacturing assets in December 2025.[2]
  • 3 countries—the United States, China and Colombia—were involved in Sow Good’s freeze-drying production network in 2023.[2]
  • 1 integrated freeze-drying network was described by Alliance Freeze Dried as serving North America’s pet-food market in its 2023 supply-chain report.[38]
  • 5,850 U.S. brick-and-mortar retail outlets carried Sow Good products as of December 31, 2023.[2]

Outsourcing / Offshoring in the agriculture and food production sector (sector benchmark)

  • 66% of Queensland food-processing businesses engaged in contract manufacturing to some extent in 2010, including contracting work in or out.[39]
  • 2% of Canadian food and beverage companies outsourced production entirely to third-party manufacturers in 2020.[40]
  • 19% of surveyed Queensland food-processing businesses contracted work out in 2010, while 28% contracted work in and 15% did both.[39]
  • About 12% of firms in the 11-country World Bank Firm-level Adoption of Technology sample outsourced at least one food-processing function, compared with about 18% in apparel.[41]
  • 85% of Canadian food and beverage companies processed or manufactured products internally in 2020, while 13% both produced internally and outsourced production.[40]

11 Statistics

Finance & Pricing

Margin expansion is visible in company reporting, with Sow Good gross margin reported at 41% in 2024 compared with 20% in 2023.

Pricing strategy in the freeze dried food industry

  • 41% was Sow Good’s gross margin in 2024, compared with 20% in 2023, as its freeze-dried candy business scaled in the United States.[2]
  • $1.50 to $2.00 per unit was the margin range discussed for freeze-dried products in a CCL Products investor-call transcript.[42]
  • 10% of gross receipts was the fixed commission percentage Sow Good expected to receive from distributor sales under its post-2025 capital-light model.[2]

Cost reduction in the freeze dried food industry

  • 1 capital-light operating model was adopted by Sow Good after transferring manufacturing assets and outsourcing distribution in December 2025.[2]
  • $1.5 million was the consideration paid for Sow Good’s manufacturing assets, whose net book value was approximately $10.8 million, in December 2025.[2]
  • 3 new freeze dryers were added by Sow Good in 2024 to expand production capacity for freeze-dried candy.[2]

Profitability in the freeze dried food industry

  • $32.0 million was Sow Good’s full-year revenue in 2024, compared with $16.1 million in 2023.[2]
  • $11.69 million was BranchOut Food’s cost of goods sold in 2025 on $13.72 million of net revenue.[2]
  • $2.03 million was BranchOut Food’s gross profit in 2025 on $13.72 million of net revenue from dried fruit and vegetable products.[2]
  • $13.0 million was Sow Good’s gross profit from freeze-dried candy and treats in 2024, up from $3.3 million in 2023.[2]
  • $3.7 million was Sow Good’s net loss in 2024, compared with a $3.1 million net loss in 2023.[2]

Financial planning in the freeze dried food industry

  • $3.49 million was BranchOut Food’s general and administrative expense in 2025, compared with $1.10 million in 2024.[2]
  • 6 additional freeze dryers were planned by Sow Good for potential operation by the end of 2025 to support anticipated demand.[2]
  • $13.72 million was BranchOut Food’s net revenue in 2025, compared with $6.43 million in 2024.[2]
  • 21 candy SKUs and 3 crunch-cream SKUs comprised Sow Good’s product portfolio at December 31, 2024.[2]
  • $1.62 million was BranchOut Food’s salaries and wages expense in 2025, compared with $1.60 million in 2024.[2]

12 Statistics

Product & Service

Shelf-life and moisture targets appear repeatedly, including the typical final moisture content range of 1% to 4% after processing.

Product development in the freeze dried food industry

  • 24 SKUs were offered by Sow Good at December 31, 2024, comprising 21 candy SKUs and 3 freeze-dried ice-cream SKUs in the United States.[2]
  • 20,945 square feet was the size of Sow Good’s custom-built freeze-drying facility in Irving, Texas in 2024.[2]
  • 24 million units per year was Sow Good’s stated freeze-dried candy production capacity in 2024 at its Irving, Texas facility.[2]
  • 24 hours was the maximum stated processing time for Sow Good’s freeze-drying process in 2024.[2]
  • 18 SKUs were offered by Sow Good at December 31, 2023, comprising 14 candy SKUs and 4 Crunch Cream SKUs in the United States.[2]

Product lifecycle in the freeze dried food industry

  • 25 years was the maximum shelf life stated for commercially prepared freeze-dried foods under suitable storage conditions by the University of Minnesota Extension.[43]
  • 1% to 4% was the typical final moisture content reported for freeze-dried food after processing.[23]
  • 5 to 10 years was the period beyond which UC Agriculture and Natural Resources does not recommend consuming home-freeze-dried products.[44]
  • 25 years or longer was the shelf-life claim described by the University of California for freeze-dried food in a Harvest Right comparison infographic.[44]
  • 6 months to 3 years was the stated storage life for freeze-dried food packed in polybags, compared with 25 years or longer in cans.[23]

Value proposition in the freeze dried food industry

  • 64% of surveyed Australian consumers were somewhat or very likely to purchase the tested freeze-dried products in 2025.[28]
  • 99% was the maximum moisture removal claimed by Sow Good for its freeze-drying process in 2024.[2]
  • 91% of surveyed Australian consumers wanted the tested freeze-dried products sold in supermarkets in 2025.[28]
  • 50% of surveyed Australian consumers identified supporting a charity or cause as a factor increasing their likelihood of purchasing freeze-dried products in 2025.[28]
  • 50% of surveyed Australian consumers identified discounts or promotions as factors that would increase their likelihood of purchasing freeze-dried products in 2025.[28]

13 Statistics

Sustainability & Ethics

Energy assumptions drive footprint ranges in Denmark studies, including a 31–36 kg CO2-eq. per ton of surplus treated under low-carbon, wind-dominated electricity in 2026.

Sustainability in the freeze dried food industry

  • 31–36 kg CO2-eq. per ton of surplus treated was the modeled freeze-drying climate footprint under a low-carbon, wind-dominated electricity scenario in Denmark in 2026.[45]
  • 90% was the approximate modeled reduction in freeze-drying climate footprint when Denmark’s current electricity mix was replaced with a low-carbon, wind-dominated scenario in 2026.[45]
  • 289–333 kg CO2-eq. per ton of surplus treated was the freeze-drying global-warming impact under Denmark’s current energy mix in 2026.[45]

ESG in the freeze dried food industry

  • 6% was the discount rate used to calculate freeze-drying investment net present values in the 2026 Danish food-surplus study.[45]
  • €5–8 million was the estimated upfront capital investment required for freeze-drying plants, depending on scale, in a 2026 Danish food-surplus study.[45]

Circular economy in the freeze dried food industry

  • −€3 million to −€6 million was the modeled net present value for mid-scale freeze-drying requiring external feedstock procurement under the 2026 baseline assumptions.[45]
  • €8–19 million was the modeled net present value for large-scale freeze-drying with integrated surplus ownership at a selling price equal to twice production cost in 2026.[45]

Carbon footprint in the freeze dried food industry

  • 289–333 kg CO2-eq. per ton of surplus treated was the modeled carbon footprint of freeze-drying under Denmark’s current electricity mix in 2026.[45]
  • 31–36 kg CO2-eq. per ton of surplus treated was the modeled carbon footprint of freeze-drying under low-carbon electricity in Denmark in 2026.[45]

15 Statistics

Globalization & Expansion

Cross-country manufacturing footprints are documented, including Thrive Freeze Dry’s four-country facility presence across the United States, Canada, Germany, and Peru.

Globalization in the freeze dried food industry

  • More than 100 Uzbek farmers supplied Sunny Land Productions’ freeze-dried fruit and vegetable business, in 2024, Uzbekistan.[14]
  • 40 varieties of freeze-dried fruit and vegetables were produced by Sunny Land Productions using locally sourced Uzbek agricultural inputs, in 2024, Uzbekistan.[14]
  • Thrive Freeze Dry operated facilities in the United States, Canada, Germany and Peru following its 2024 expansion, giving the company a four-country manufacturing footprint.[16]
  • Chaucer Foods aimed to become a globally leading technology-led freeze-dried ingredients supplier through relationships with major food businesses around the world, in 2025, United Kingdom.[52]
  • 90% of Sunny Land Productions’ freeze-dried products were exported to the United Kingdom, European Union, United States, Southeast Asia and the Middle East before the company began contacting foreign buyers directly, in 2024, Uzbekistan.[14]

Cultural adaptation in the freeze dried food industry

  • 6 Japanese food categories were identified by Amano Foods as applications for its freeze-drying technology, including miso soup, rice porridge, rice toppings, curry, pasta and other meals.[53]
  • 2018 marked the launch of Kikkoman’s Crunchy Soy Sauce Almond, a freeze-dried soy-sauce product whose flavor range was subsequently expanded for Japanese consumers.[13]
  • 1 new Crunchy Salt koji Lemon Cashew Nuts product launched in 2024 using freeze-dried salt-koji technology and a Japanese flavor profile.[13]
  • 2 new physical ALDI stores opened in Shanghai in 2019, offering freeze-dried fruit snacks alongside products adapted to Chinese consumers’ preference for local ingredients and healthy convenience foods.[54]

Supplier management in the freeze dried food industry

  • More than 100 Uzbek farmers supplied Sunny Land Productions with locally grown fruit and vegetables for freeze-dried products, in 2024, Uzbekistan.[14]
  • 1 international pre-qualified supply chain supported Chaucer Foods’ raw-material and food-safety requirements, according to its 2025 strategic report, United Kingdom.[52]

Stakeholder management in the freeze dried food industry

  • 75 new jobs were added in Nebraska through Petsource by Scoular’s 2024 freeze-dried pet-food facility expansion.[1]
  • $75 million was invested in Petsource by Scoular’s freeze-dried pet-food facility expansion in Nebraska, completed in 2024.[1]
  • 1 family-owned freeze-dried food company, Sunny Land Productions, worked with more than 100 Uzbek farmers while developing export markets, in 2024, Uzbekistan.[14]
  • 70,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space was added at Petsource’s Seward, Nebraska, freeze-dried pet-food facility in 2024.[1]

Distribution channels in the freeze dried food industry

  • 5.43% was the projected 2026–2031 compound annual growth rate for online retail distribution of freeze-dried products in Europe.[12]
  • 9.73% was the projected annual growth rate for online retail stores in the freeze-dried fruits and vegetables market through 2031.[12]
  • 24 million units per year was Sow Good’s freeze-dried candy production capacity from six bespoke freeze dryers in Texas, in 2025.[2]
  • 5 major retail banners—Five Below, H-E-B, Kroger, Albertsons and Ace Hardware—were listed as Sow Good retail customers in 2025, United States.[2]
  • 55.28% of freeze-dried fruits and vegetables sales were generated through supermarkets and hypermarkets in 2025.[12]

Key questions about the freeze dried food industry

What is the 2026 market size for freeze-dried food?
The global freeze-dried food market is estimated at $46.20 billion in 2026.
How fast is the freeze-dried food market expected to grow from 2026 to 2034?
The market is forecast to expand at a 7.02% compound annual growth rate from 2026 to 2034.
Which companies lead the freeze dried food industry?
Ajinomoto stands out for freeze-dried and prepared food output because it reports an 12.6% operating margin, while Thrive Freeze Dry focuses on freeze-dried meals and pet products since it operates facilities across the United States, Canada, Germany, and Peru after its 2024 expansion.
What technology shifts are showing up in freeze-dried food production and data use?
Operational automation is visible in examples like MicroDried’s 100% computer-automated processes. Data quality gaps also persist, with 44% of manufacturers reporting AI project failure due to poor data quality in 2025.
How is the market structured by distribution and product type?
B2B distribution is the leading channel with a 61.8% share, and fruit products lead the product segment with a 31.7% share in 2025.
What compliance constraint matters for freeze-dried food sellers in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, businesses selling food produced by freeze-drying must obtain a license, with the license type depending on distribution method in 2026.
Reference

Cite This Report

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APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Freeze-Dried Food Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/freeze-dried-food-industry-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Freeze-Dried Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/freeze-dried-food-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Freeze-Dried Food Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/freeze-dried-food-industry-statistics.

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