Air-dried Food Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, By Product Type (Coffee Beans, Fruits & Vegetables, Meat, Herbs, Others), By Application (Residential, Commercial), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 125.26 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.18%
Fastest Growing Segment	Commercial
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 200.77 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Air-dried Food Market will grow from USD 125.26 Billion in 2025 to USD 200.77 Billion by 2031 at a 8.18% CAGR. Air-dried food is defined as fresh produce, meat, or herbs preserved by removing moisture through continuous air circulation, which inhibits microbial growth while retaining essential nutrients and texture. The primary drivers supporting this market's growth include the rising functional requirement for shelf-stable products that minimize food waste and the increasing industrial demand for clean-label ingredients free from artificial preservatives. This robust production capacity is reflected in recent sector data. According to the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council, in 2024, the total global production of dried fruit was estimated at 3.33 million metric tons, illustrating the substantial scale of dehydration operations to meet consumer needs.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the volatility of raw material costs driven by climatic unpredictability. Since the air-drying process relies heavily on the quality and availability of fresh agricultural inputs, adverse weather patterns can disrupt supply chains and drastically inflate procurement expenses. This instability prevents manufacturers from maintaining consistent pricing structures, creating a barrier to entry in price-sensitive regions where consumers may resort to lower-cost, alternative preserved foods.

Key Market Drivers

The surge in demand for premium natural pet food ingredients is reshaping the air-dried market, as pet owners seek nutritious, minimally processed alternatives to traditional kibble. This trend is driven by the "humanization" of pets, where consumers demand clean-label quality, favoring air-dried meats that retain raw-like nutrient profiles without the cold chain requirements of frozen food. The scale of this shift is evident in recent sector performance; according to the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), June 2024, in the 'Annual Report 2024', annual sales of pet food products in Europe reached €29.2 billion, signaling a massive market for high-value air-dried inclusions.

Simultaneously, the rising consumer preference for natural and clean-label ingredients is propelling the adoption of air-drying technologies for fruit and vegetable snacks. Air-drying offers a method to produce shelf-stable snacks free from artificial preservatives, aligning perfectly with wellness trends. This demand supports significant trade activity; according to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, in 2024, the export value of U.S. processed fruit totaled $1.6 billion. Manufacturers are responding by securing dedicated supply chains, reflected in specific commodity forecasts. For instance, according to the California Prune Board, July 2024, in the 'California Prune production navigating the heat wave' update, the 2024 California prune production was estimated at 65,000 metric tons, underscoring the output dedicated to this preservation method.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material costs resulting from climatic unpredictability stands as a primary obstacle hampering the expansion of the air-dried food sector. Air-drying manufacturers rely heavily on a steady influx of high-quality fresh produce; however, irregular weather events such as unexpected frosts, heatwaves, or droughts frequently severely diminish agricultural yields. When these environmental disruptions occur, the immediate scarcity of fresh inputs drives procurement prices upward, drastically increasing the cost of goods sold. This financial strain restricts the ability of manufacturers to maintain stable pricing, which is essential for retaining customer loyalty in a competitive shelf-stable food landscape.

Tangible evidence of this supply instability impacts major commodity categories essential to the industry. According to the World Apple and Pear Association, in 2024, the apple harvest in the European Union was forecast to decline by 11.3% to 10.2 million metric tons largely due to late frosts and poor pollination conditions. Such unpredictability in the availability of core ingredients forces companies to operate with uncertain margins, thereby deterring investment and limiting market penetration in price-sensitive regions where consumers demand consistent affordability.

Key Market Trends

The emergence of upcycled air-dried ingredients is gaining momentum as manufacturers utilize dehydration to transform perishable food by-products into high-value, shelf-stable inclusions. This trend addresses sustainability goals by converting nutrient-dense waste streams, such as fruit pomace and vegetable peels, into versatile powders and dried particulates for broader industrial application. The scale of this circular economy shift is substantial; according to Where Food Comes From Inc., January 2025, in the 'Upcycled Certified Program' update, companies meeting the program standard diverted approximately 1.2 million tons of food waste in 2024, underscoring the growing industrial reliance on preservation methods like air-drying to valorize surplus agricultural output.

Simultaneously, the rising popularity of air-dried functional beverage powders is reshaping product development, driven by consumer demand for convenient, bioactive-rich wellness solutions. Air-drying is increasingly favored for processing sensitive botanicals and superfoods into dissolvable formats, as it effectively preserves heat-sensitive phytochemicals compared to intensive thermal processing. This consumption shift is evident in the rapidly growing adoption of specific functional ingredients; according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, October 2024, in the '2024 Consumer Survey', the usage of ashwagandha, a botanical commonly air-dried for powdered beverage applications, reached 8% of supplement users, representing a four-fold increase over the last four years.

Segmental Insights

The commercial segment currently represents the fastest-growing category within the global air-dried food market, driven by increasing demand from food manufacturers and the food service sector. Industrial users are prioritizing air-dried ingredients to extend shelf life and maintain nutritional integrity without relying on artificial preservatives. This operational shift allows producers of baked goods, snacks, and ready-to-eat meals to effectively meet consumer preferences for clean-label products. Additionally, adherence to strict food safety standards set by regulatory bodies like the FDA encourages manufacturers to adopt these stable preservation methods for consistent large-scale applications.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global air-dried food market, driven by rising consumer demand for extended shelf-life products that retain nutritional value. The region benefits from a strong preference for convenience foods free from synthetic preservatives, aligning with the clean label trend. Manufacturers in the United States and Canada adhere to stringent quality guidelines set by agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, ensuring high safety standards that build consumer trust. Additionally, established retail distribution channels facilitate widespread access to these dried products, further solidifying North America’s market leadership.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, The Pets Table, a premium pet food brand under the HelloFresh Group, expanded its retail presence by launching its air-dried dog food products at Walmart locations across the United States. This collaboration marked the brand's first entry into physical retail stores, making its minimally processed, human-grade recipes more accessible to a broader consumer base. The air-dried product line, formulated by veterinary nutritionists, was positioned as a nutritious and convenient alternative to traditional dog foods, leveraging a slow-cooking and air-drying process to retain flavor and essential nutrients without artificial fillers.
• In August 2024, Arla Foods announced a strategic decision to invest significantly in its Videbæk dairy facility in Denmark to retrofit a spray-drying tower for specialized ingredient production. This shift marked a pivot away from early life nutrition products at the site, focusing instead on meeting the growing global demand for high-quality air-dried dairy ingredients, such as milk and whey proteins. The investment included the installation of advanced heat-recovery technology to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, reinforcing the company's commitment to sustainable production methods in the air-dried ingredients market.
• In March 2024, Ziwi Peak launched a new product line for dogs and cats titled "Steam & Dried," which utilized a proprietary processing technology involving micro-steaming followed by gentle air-drying. This innovative method was designed to preserve the nutritional integrity of the raw ingredients, such as meats and vegetables, while creating a shelf-stable product with a unique texture. The launch aimed to provide pet owners with a convenient alternative to raw diets, offering high meat inclusion and functional ingredients in a format that bridged the gap between traditional kibble and freeze-dried options.
• In February 2024, RIND Snacks acquired Small Batch Organics, a Vermont-based manufacturer of granola products, to enhance its production capabilities and product portfolio in the healthy snacking sector. This strategic acquisition allowed the company to transition into a vertically integrated business model, significantly expanding its manufacturing capacity for dried fruit and related snacks. The collaboration integrated Small Batch Organics’ renewable energy-powered facility, aligning with RIND’s sustainability goals while enabling the development of new product lines that combine air-dried fruits with other ingredients.

Key Market Players

• Dehydrates Inc.
• Saraf Foods Pvt. Ltd.
• Berrifine A/S
• La Frubense SL
• Nestlé S.A.
• BCFoods, Inc.
• Freeze-Dry Foods GmbH
• B-B Products (Australia) Pty Ltd
• DMH Ingredients, Inc.
• Howenia Enterprise Co., Ltd.

By Product Type	By Application	By Region
Coffee Beans Fruits & Vegetables Meat Herbs Others	Residential Commercial	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Air-dried Food Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Air-dried Food Market, By Product Type:

• Coffee Beans
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Meat
• Herbs
• Others

• Air-dried Food Market, By Application:

• Residential
• Commercial

• Air-dried Food Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE