Natural Food Colors Market

Natural Food Colors Market Outlook 2023 to 2033

The global Natural Food Colors Market value is expected to reach a valuation of USD 1.7 billion in 2023. From 2023 to 2033, it is projected to accelerate at a positive CAGR of 7.2%. In 2033, the market’s value is likely to surpass USD 3.3 billion.

Natural food colors are pigments, dyes, or other substances that are derived from animals, vegetables, or minerals that can color foods. Turmeric, beetroot, and grass are regarded among the most prominent sources of natural food colors.

Typically, violet, blue, and red natural food colors are extracted from substances known as anthocyanins, which occur naturally in red cabbages, raspberries, and beet roots. Red, orange, and yellow natural food colors tend to be sourced from the carotenoids in tomatoes, carrots, and apricots.

Green natural colors are almost always sourced from chlorophyll, a green pigment that is found across plants’ stems and leaves.

Primarily, natural food colors are used to provide visual stimulation to consumers’ appetites. They are also used to showcase product quality as off-color food products are regarded as inferior.

Natural food colors also have the ability to protect food products’ flavors and nutrients, which are likely to be affected during storage by external elements such as sunlight and moisture.

In recent years, manufacturers of food products that are reliant on colors have gradually transitioned from synthetic coloring to natural variants. Synthetic food colors, despite being considerably cheaper than their natural counterparts, have come under fire for their potential to trigger adverse health effects.

For instance, frequent consumption of synthetic food colors may cause inflammation and hamper the functioning of the immune system. In children, synthetic food colors are likely to trigger behavioral issues such as hypersensitivity and hyperactivity.

Several synthetic food colors such as tartrazine (Yellow 5), sunset yellow (Yellow 6), and allura red (Red 40), are known to contain toxic contaminants that may cause cancer.

According to leading market intelligence firm Future Market Insights (FMI), rising awareness of synthetic food colors’ ill effects is set to encourage adoption and use of natural variants. In the long run, this should provide the stimulation that the global natural food colors market needs to achieve significant expansion.

Attribute	Key Insights
Estimated Natural Food Colors Market Value (2023)	USD 1.7 billion
Projected Market Value (2033)	USD 3.3 billion
Value-based CAGR (2023 to 2033)	7.2%
Top Players Share in 2022	27.5%

2018 to 2022 Natural Food Colors Market Outlook Compared to Demand from 2023 to 2033

Between 2018 and 2022, the natural food colors market experienced a subpar performance, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic’s most devastating spells, natural food colors’ prices skyrocketed as economic uncertainties rocked the world.

This made it difficult for food product manufacturers to buy and use natural colors, as they would have made products more expensive for consumers. As a result, manufacturers had to settle for synthetic food colors.

However, from 2023 to 2033, natural food color sales are set to pick up the pace as the global economy tries to undo the negatives that contracted it during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prices of natural food colors have already fallen significantly, making them accessible once again for manufacturers.

Food regulation bodies around the world are also contributing to the burgeoning popularity of natural food colors.

They are proactively taking steps to raise awareness regarding the harmful effects of synthetic food colors. In the coming decade, FMI anticipates government initiatives and interventions to stimulate the acceleration of the global market for natural food colors.

For instance, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) permits only a handful of synthetic food flavoring and coloring agents. However, it allows almost every natural food color to be used across food products sold in India.

The healthy 7.2% CAGR anticipated by FMI between 2023 and 2033 for the natural food colors market is poised to provide a boost not only to the industry but also to players. More and more players are likely to embrace the shift to natural food colors from synthetic variants for adhering to stringent government regulations.

Country-wise Insights

Why are Natural Food Color Sales Set to Soar in the United States?

Comprehensive Government-driven Scrutiny of Synthetic Color Additives to Spur Sales of Natural Food Colors Market in the United States

FMI expects the United States to dominate the North American natural food colors market from 2023 to 2033.This expectation is due to the fact that the United States government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been firm in its opposition to synthetic food colors in the recent past.

According to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Chapter VII, section 721), all color additives used across cosmetics, drugs, medical devices, and food have to be approved by the FDA prior to their use.

In January 2023, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) submitted a formal petition to the FDA.

The petition called for a comprehensive ban on the use of Red Dye No. 3, a synthetic food color that has been linked with causing cancer. The color has also come under harsh scrutiny in the past for triggering hyperactivity and other behavioral issues in children.

These developments are likely to push food product manufacturers to embrace natural colors for complying with FDA rules and regulations.

How will Natural Food Color Demand Surge across Europe?

Bans and Stringent Regulations on Synthetic Edible Additives to Result in Significant Expansion of the Europe Market for Natural Food Colors

The United Kingdom, Germany, and France are anticipated to emerge as the most prominent markets for natural food colors in Europe.

Compared to the United States, where laws regarding food colors and additives are still somewhat lax, European governments have taken firm steps in regulating their use. For instance, in Europe, food additives such as titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, potassium iodate, brominated vegetable oil, and other synthetic colors are either banned or heavily regulated by the European Food Safety Authority.

As a result of these bans and strict regulations, players in the European food manufacturing sector are set to steer clear of legal trouble and use natural food colors.

Across developed European nations, both public and private players are raising awareness of the benefits of natural food colors over synthetic variants. This is also likely to provide an impetus to accelerate of the market for natural food colors in Europe.

What Does the Future Look Like for Japan's Natural Food Colors Market?

Popularity of Natural Food Colors in Japan to Escalate Owing to their Health Advantages over Synthetic Additives

The Japanese market for natural food colors is likely to present both local and international players with lucrative opportunities between 2023 and 2033. Japan is one of Asia’s most developed economies and the country’s population is highly educated.

This has allowed the country to take the necessary steps to eliminate artificial food color use. Players in the country’s food manufacturing industry are also increasingly turning to natural ingredients for deriving colors.

For instance, matcha powder has become a popular food coloring agent in Japan. The powder is derived from tea leaves and is heavily used to add color and visual appeal to local recipes. Culturally, matcha powder is considered important across the country’s conventional tea ceremonies, and this importance is set to stay relevant in the years ahead.

Matcha powder’s high antioxidant content makes it ideal for coloring foods and at the same time, provide a variety of health benefits.

Category-wise Insights

Which Natural Food Color is Likely to Generate Substantial Sales from 2023 to 2033?

Spirulina Extracts and Carotenoids to Dominate Natural Food Color Sales

According to FMI, spirulina extracts are estimated to generate substantial sales for the natural food colors market between 2023 and 2033. Right now, however, sales of natural food colors are being dominated by carotenoids. Eventually though, spirulina extract sales are likely to outperform carotenoids.

This likelihood is a result of spirulina’s burgeoning popularity owing to its ability to add eye-catching colors to food products along with its high antioxidant content.

In contrast, sales of carmine are set to dip in the coming years. Carmine is derived from carminic acid, a substance that occurs naturally in insects.

While it is still used across several food products in Europe and the United States, there has been a barrage of criticism directed towards it. For starters, consumers have objected to consuming an additive derived from insects. Carmine may also trigger allergies in consumers sensitive to carminic acid.

Based on Functionality, Which Segment is Likely to Generate Significant Demand for Natural Food Colors?

Consumers’ Desire to Consume Baked Products Containing Organic Ingredients to Drive Demand for Natural Food Colors

Based on functionality, the bakery and confectionery industry is anticipated to account for a sizeable portion of the global natural food colors market share. The demand for natural food colors is likely to expand due to the surging consumption of doughnuts, cookies, rolls, cupcakes, bread, pies, biscuits, and more.

Between 2023 and 2033, FMI anticipates the global bakery and confectionery industry to accelerate at a rapid pace. Across developed economies, more and more consumers are exhibiting interest in consuming baked products containing ingredients derived from natural and organic sources.

This should drive demand for natural food colors from the bakery and confectionery industry.

Competitive Landscape

FMI expects key players in the natural food colors market value to launch innovative products as alternatives to unhealthy synthetic options. Hefty research & development investments are also likely as players try and find ways to make natural food colors more affordable.

For instance,

• In September 2021, Divi’s Nutraceuticals, an Indian company, launched CaroNat, which has the ability of adding orange and dark yellow colors to food products.
• In September 2022, Sun Chemical announced the launch of its SUNFOODS range of natural colorants, which are aimed at addressing coloring needs across the food & beverage sector.

Scope of Report

Attribute	Details
Estimated Market Size (2023)	USD 1.7 billion
Projected Market Size (2033)	USD 3.3 billion
Anticipated Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	7.2% CAGR
Forecast Period	2023 to 2033
Historical Data Available for	2018 to 2022
Market Analysis	USD billion for Value
Key Regions Covered	North America; Latin America; Europe; East Asia; South Asia; Oceania; and Middle East & Africa
Key Countries Covered	The United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Nordic, Russia, Poland, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, GCC countries, North Africa, and South Africa.
Key Segments Covered	Pigment Type, Functionality, and Region
Key Companies Profiled	Sensient Technologies Corporation; Archer Daniels Midland; Naturex S.A.; Döhler GmbH; Symrise AG; Chr. Hansen Holding A/S; McCormick & Company; Kalsec Inc.; DDW The Color House Corporation; ROHA Dyechem Pvt. Ltd. (JJT Group); Aakash Chemicals and Dyestuffs; AFIS (Australian Food Ingredient Suppliers); San-Ei Gen F.FI Inc.; GNT International BV (EXBERRY); Adama Agricultural Solutions Ltd. (LycoRed)
Report Coverage	Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives

Natural Food Colors Market by Category

By Pigment Type:

• Carotenoid
  • Beta carotene
  • Annatto
  • Lutein
  • Lycopene
• Curcumin
• Anthocyanin
• Paprika extract
• Spirulina extract
• Chlorophyll
• Carmine

By Functionality:

• Dairy Food Products
• Beverages
• Packaged Food/Frozen Products
• Confectionery and Bakery Products

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• East Asia
• South Asia
• Oceania
• Middle East and Africa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Market Size for Natural Food Color
Additives?

The global market size in the current year 2023 could be
close to USD 1.7 billion.

What is the Growth Projection of Global Natural
Food Colors Market?

The overall demand is poised to rise at 7.2% CAGR through 2033.

Which is the Leading Factor Driving the Global
Natural Food Colors Market?

Growing desire for organic or natural food products is
driving the overall market.

Which Region Represents a Promising Future for the
Overall Natural Food Colors Market?

The United States is expected to remain the leading country
for sales of natural food colors.

Which Source Segment of Natural Food Colors Provides
for Higher Market Share?

Spirulina extracts provide for almost 40% of the overall
market products.