Packaging

Many key beverage companies in Japan are promoting label-free packaging for their core brands, especially for e-commerce sales, as a strategy to reduce plastic use and enhance sustainability. This approach involves eliminating plastic film and paper…

Even though fresh ground coffee has been recording declining sales in the last two years, folding cartons have been growing in popularity as a pack type in this category, registering increasing packaging unit volumes and gaining share. Folding…

In 2022, heightened environmental consciousness among the Japanese, coupled with the government’s goal of reducing disposable plastic waste by 25% over the next 10 years, drove various industries to switch towards sustainable packaging solutions.…

Following a marginal upturn in retail volume sales of jams and preserves for several years during the pandemic due to home seclusion, demand started to stabilise in 2022 due to greater mobility outside of the home and fewer breakfast or snacking…

Following a surge in demand at the height of the pandemic due to prolonged home seclusion, demand for sauces, dips and condiments, and therefore associated packaging, started to stabilise in 2021 with further volume declines being recorded in 2022…

Although Japanese consumers were already typically health-conscious, they have now become even more concerned about improving their overall health through their diet, thereby supporting the increasing shift towards meat and seafood substitutes…

There was a surge in demand for frozen fruit during the pandemic as they could be stored, thereby reducing the need for consumers to leave their homes to purchase fresh varieties. Despite a notable slowdown in 2022, demand for frozen fruit continued…

In 2022, brick liquid cartons remained the leading pack type for plant-based milk, the largest category in plant-based dairy in Japan. On the other hand, shaped liquid cartons remained a small, but growing niche as a packaging alternative. The…

In 2022, flexible packaging, consisting of plastic pouches and flexible plastic, remained the most popular packaging format for shelf stable soup, followed by metal food cans. This was because plastic pouches are lightweight and easy to handle, which…

Gable top liquid cartons remained the most preferred pack type for fresh milk in Japan in 2022, although the share of shaped liquid cartons was also significant. Following a fall in demand for both packaging types the previous year, demand improved…