Market Size & Trends
The Canada fruit puree market size was valued at USD 86.3 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2023 to 2030. Fruit purees are becoming increasingly popular among customers due to their convenience and health benefits. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that help enhance the immune system and reduce cell damage. Consumer desire for packaged convenience foods is projected to raise the demand for fruit puree in the coming years.
In Canada, the demand for fruit puree is driven by various factors such as changing consumer preferences towards healthy and natural food products, increasing demand for convenience foods, and the rise of the food service industry. Additionally, the popularity of plant-based diets and veganism has also increased the demand for fruit purees as a natural and healthy alternative to traditional ingredients. As for fruit preferences, Canadians tend to favor locally grown and in-season fruits, such as berries, apples, peaches, and plums. However, tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit are also gaining popularity in Canada.
Additionally, improved food-processing technology will increase food manufacturers' production capacities, influencing fruit puree demand in the country. The growing number of customers eating out is likely to drive market expansion in the approaching years. The ever-increasing urban population, as well as the growing number of dual-income households, has increased the demand for pre-prepared or processed infant food. As a result of its high nutritional value, fruit puree has gained remarkable usage in infant and toddler feeding.
The COVID-19 outbreak has boosted the demand for fruit purees as they are enriched with vitamins and minerals that help prevent colds and promote immunity. Probiotic drinks containing fruit puree, such as Actimel, are gaining popularity among consumers as a means of improving immunity. Many fruit purees are also marketed as sugar substitutes. In line with this health trend, the number of low- or no-sugar beverages such as flavored water, drinkable yogurt, and energy drinks, has increased significantly over the years. These trends have been promoting the adoption of fruit puree among various customers.
Fruit puree has been witnessing a remarkable demand from the food & beverage industry, not only due to its taste and flavor but also because of the numerous health benefits associated with it. Several large and small food manufacturing and food processing companies spend substantially on the fruit puree market as an increasing number of consumers prefer natural ingredients in their foods and drinks. Therefore, fruit puree companies have emerged as crucial suppliers for food producers.
Type Insights
The mixed fruit purees segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 32.4% in 2022. People prefer mixed fruit purees for several reasons. First, mixing different fruits can result in unique and complex flavors that are not found in single-fruit purees. Additionally, mixing fruits can provide a wider range of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that can be beneficial for health. In 2021, the company Puratos launched a new line of fruit purees that includes mixed fruit flavors, such as strawberry-rhubarb, raspberry-passionfruit, and mango-pineapple. These purees are designed for use in a variety of applications, including bakery, pastry, and confectionery products.
The strawberry segment is anticipated to grow significantly at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2023 to 2030. A growing inclination toward healthier eating habits has led many consumers to seek natural and minimally processed ingredients, including fruit purees. Strawberry puree is often viewed as a healthier alternative to artificial flavorings or sweeteners. It is versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, such as smoothies, juices, desserts, sauces, and baked goods.
This versatility makes it an attractive ingredient for both home cooks and food manufacturers. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the demand for fruit purees like strawberry puree, as more people are cooking and baking at home and seeking convenient and healthy ingredients to use in their recipes.
Application Insights
The beverages segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 35.6% in 2022.Purees are used to make a wide range of beverages, including smoothies, cocktails, mocktails, and juices. Consumers’ interest in natural and healthier alternatives to sugary drinks drives the demand for beverages made from fruit purees. Fruit purees incorporate natural fruit flavors and nutritional benefits in beverages, which appeals to consumers seeking healthier options.
Additionally, the natural taste and texture of fruit purees can enhance the overall beverage-drinking experience. Preparing beverages using purees comes along with multiple benefits for both industrial as well as retail customers. Beverages prepared from fresh fruit purees tend to retain their color better, which creates a visual appeal. It also reduces the effort and time required to prepare a beverage.
The baby food segment is anticipated to grow significantly at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2023 to 2030. There are several fruit purees for babies available in the country. Sweet potato, carrot, apple, banana, pear, squash, peach, blueberry, avocado, plum, and other fruits are used to make these. They are high in nutrients and vitamins, and they are also easily digestible, making them a wonderful diet for babies. Nestlé has a wide range of items available in the country.
Some of them are fruit blends, while others are prepared from a single fruit. Purees are prepared from apple-avocado, banana-plum-grape, banana, apple, carrot, pear, pear-guava, and squash-pear-pineapple. In April 2022, Gerber, a leading brand in the baby food industry, introduced its first-ever plant-based baby food line called Plant-tastic. The line comprises a comprehensive range of organic toddler foods, including pouches, snacks, and bowls. The Plant-tastic range includes lil' crunchies white bean hummus toddler snacks, banana berry veggie smash pouches, and mediterranean medley harvest bowl.
Key Companies & Market Share Insights
The market is fragmented owing to the presence of a few large-sized regional and country players. Participants face intense competition, especially from the top players in the market, as they have a large customer base, strong brand recognition, and vast distribution networks. Companies have been implementing various expansion strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, new product launches, and geographical expansion to stay ahead in the game. Some prominent players in the Canada fruit puree market include:
Döhler Group
Ingredion Incorporated
Grünewald International
Fenix
AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG
Polproduct
Uren Food Group Limited
Kiril Mischeff
Prodalim
SVZ Industrial Fruit & Vegetable Ingredients
Healthy Berries LTD