Cheese packaging on a strong footing in India and South Asia

According to the International Dairy Foods Association, dairy per capita consumption across products has been increasing each year, up by 6% over the past five years and 10% over the past 15 years. Among the dairy-based and dairy-like products, the global cheese packaging market growth is perhaps the fastest growing with increasing consumption of cheese products in the home, in new convenience ready-to-eat and heat-and-eat products, and demand from the fast food industry. 

The cheese packaging market is forecast by several agencies to be the fastest-growing global packaging segment from 2022 to 2029 at an estimated CAGR of 5.3%. Growth rates in South Asia and Southeast Asia are expected to be higher and possibly in the double digits – considering the overall growth of milk byproducts in the region and the introduction by global and local brands of new varieties with localization and new formats meant to work with market segmentation. The demand from the fast-food industry and for eco-friendly packaging are also factors as demand rises.

With increased disposable incomes and changes in lifestyle, the dairy and dairy product industry is now moving beyond delivering a simple homogenized or pasteurized product at the lowest price from cooperative dairies. Organized retail is building a cold chain from milk and milk product processing plants to their glass-fronted refrigerated cases that encourage self-service, in new retail formats – both in large chains and in smaller karyana shops. While shelf life is a given, shelf impact with new flavors, colors and reclosable closures is key to consumer lifestyles given to experimentation and on-the-go products. 

Cheese packaging materials include foil, wraps, containers, lids, foils, boxes, and tubes with a formidable array of caps and closures. The packaging materials are generally made up of plastic, paper, aluminium, and glass. While milk and cheese packaging are heavily dominated by plastic containers, trays, and flow wraps and pouches globally at 40%, in India and South Asia the rate of plastic use is much higher. The need for oxygen and moisture barriers is high and in cheese packaging, the transfer of odors is also a consideration as well as microbial deterioration which may be mitigated by modified atmosphere packaging and oxygen scavengers.

The regulations of plastic in packaging requiring Extended User Responsibility that will impose fines for packaging according to its recycled content and recyclability are in place in India and are likely to take effect in the coming years. With the extensive use of PET bottles for flavored milk and milkshakes, one can expect the imminent advent of tethered caps and closures in the South Asian market also. Perhaps reclosable lids on plastic trays of sliced cheese products will come even sooner. 

The plastic waste management regulations including the EUR rules published by the Indian government in February 2022 are extensive with a plan for gradual implementation meant to reach full or maximum compliance by 2030. This is behind the European CEFLEX rules meant to bring full compliance for recyclability by 2025. However, in several segments and formats, global packaging manufacturers in the country such as Amcor, Constantia, and EPL are ready with products that meet the AI and stricter ReCylass standards.