The freeze-dried food market is expected to reach $66.5bn by 2021 growing at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecasted period of 2016 to 2021.
The report notes that while freeze-dried foods were initially limited to the pharmaceutical industry, freeze-dried technology is now constantly used by the food and beverage industry.
Advantages of freeze-dried products
A spokesperson for Mordor Intelligence told this website that milk, cheese, cream yogurt and ice-cream are the ideal dairy products suitable for freeze drying.
“Of these, freeze-dried cheese is the most commonly used product,” the spokesperson said.
“Freeze drying of dairy products keeps the solid and liquid structures intact, without destroying the basic structure. The freeze drying process, unlike spraying or other dehydration processes, retains nutrients, flavor and color better.”
Milk is commercially dehydrated using a spray drying process, however, the spokesperson noted, the exposure to high temperature results in a loss of (or reduces the amount of) many heat-sensitive vitamins.
“The loss of essential vitamins from milk can be avoided if freeze-dried, as it does not require chemical preservatives and long hours of refrigeration. The shelf life of freeze-dried products ranges from 12 months to 25 years.”
Top selling freeze-dried dairy products (source: Mordor Intelligence):
1. Freeze-dried cheese - cheese cream and mozzarella cheese for pizza
2. Freeze-dried yogurt powder
3. Freeze-dried butter powder
4. Freeze-dried dairy cultures
5. Freeze-dried milk powder – horse milk
Strong market in North America
The spokesperson said that North America is the strongest market for freeze-dried dairy products due to high cheese consumption and a consumer preference towards premium dairy products.
Freeze-dried cheese, mainly Mozzarella and Cheddar, is the market leader in terms of products due to its wide application.
“High demand from fast food and restaurant chains and the soup industry has supported this market; freeze-dried cheese finds increasing application mostly in premium soups and bakery products,” the spokesperson said.
Potential growth
“Globally, freeze-dried yogurt powder has immense growth potential.”
This growth potential can be largely attributed to the growing preference for probiotic food products.
The incorporation of freeze-dried yogurt powder into snack products, the spokesperson said, presents a promising area of growth; consumption of healthy snacks has been observed to be one of the top consumer trends in North America and Europe.
Freeze-drying specific milks
According to the report, consumer demand for 100% natural ingredients in food products is set to be the strongest trend in the freeze-dried dairy products market.
The spokesperson noted that the demand for healthy snacks in developing regions will be another major trend in the industry.
“Currently, the production of freeze-dried milk is limited. However, for specific products such as goat and horse milk, freeze drying has great significance due to the quality of the process.
“The growing consumer interest toward such high-value dairy is also expected to be a future trend for freeze-drying technique in the dairy industry.”
Other areas of the report
As well as dairy, the report, Global Freeze Dried Food Market - Growth, Trends and Forecasts (2016-2021), includes coffee, fruit, vegetables and beverages.