South Africa Food Hydrocolloids Market

South Africa Food Hydrocolloids Market Analysis

The South Africa Food Hydrocolloids Market is expected to register a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period.

The growing food industry, along with the overall food retail sector, has a major role to play in the growth of the thickeners segment for hydrocolloids. Apart from this, the changing consumer preference favoring the dense ready-to-eat products is another key factor driving the overall growth of the segment.

Product innovation in hydrocolloids is majorly focused in the bakery and confectionery segment of the country, owing to increasing per capita consumption. Although gelatin is widely used, consumers demanding for vegan and kosher labels are enabling the companies to look at naturally derived raw materials to meet their demand.

South Africa Food Hydrocolloids Market Trends

Wide Application due to Varied Functionality

• Sauces are prepared with hot process, and using the right hydrocolloid is a key factor in the South African food processing industry. In the beverage applications gum, Arabic gum is used for emulsification purposes in flavored beverages.
• Xanthan, guar, and locust bean gums provide the desired viscosity in bread and cake mixes and minimize the formation of lumps. Owing to the African consumer's demand for confectionery and bakery products, these functionalities prove to be a major advantage for the food manufacturers.
• Thus, the country's increasing food retail sales are strongly driving the market for hydrocolloids. Apart from the food applications, hydrocolloids find use in pharmaceutical, personal care (moisturizer creams), and in shale oil hydraulic fracturing process.

The Application of Xanthan Gum is Increasing at a Faster Pace

• Increasing the use of xanthan gum as an emulsifier across a wide array of applications, including salad dressings, sauces, non-fat milk, dairy products, and baked and frozen foods, coupled with the growth of the food and beverage industry, is anticipated to augment the market growth.
• Xanthan gum has emerged as a low price alternative to guar gum in a wide range of food applications, resulting in high demand for the former. Health concerns and higher costs have restricted the candy companies from the use of Gelatin, which has significantly increased the application of xanthan gum across the confectionery segment.

South Africa Food Hydrocolloids Industry Overview

The market is highly competitive, due to the presence of several players. Moreover, companies, like DuPont de Nemours Inc. and Cargill Incorporated, hold significant shares in the market. Strategies of the leading players focus on developing innovative solutions that address the taste, texture, and nutritional profiles of processed foods, in turn, extending the shelf lives of the final consumer products.

South Africa Food Hydrocolloids Market Leaders