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Forecast Period
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2024-2028
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Market Size (2022)
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USD 150.01 Million
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CAGR (2023-2028)
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6.66%
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Fastest Growing Segment
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Meat and Seafood
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Largest Market
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North America
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Market Overview
Global Food Ultrasound Market has valued
at USD 150.01 Million in 2022 and is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 6.66%
through 2028. The ultrasonic technique is employed for testing various
materials and substances. In the food industry, these methods are widely used
for the analysis and modification of food products. Low-intensity ultrasound
provides valuable insights into physicochemical properties such as composition,
structure, physical state, and flow rate. High-intensity pulse ultrasound is
utilized to induce changes in the physical and chemical properties of foods,
including emulsion creation, cell disruption, chemical reactions promotion,
enzyme inhibition, meat tenderization, and modification and crystallization
processes. Ultrasound finds diverse applications in the food sector, including
freezing, harvesting, drying, tampering, bleaching, and sterilizing. The
combination of ultrasonic radiation with sterilizing agents helps reduce the
presence of microorganisms in food. By minimizing processing costs and ensuring
food purity, ultrasound technology plays a crucial role in the food industry.
Key Market Drivers
Rising
in the Demand of Processed Foods
The escalating demand for processed
foods, including fish, raw meat products, and others, serves as a key driver
for market growth. Moreover, the continuous rise in the geriatric population
and the prevalence of chronic illnesses contribute significantly to market
expansion. Furthermore, the increasing consumption of processed foods,
stringent regulations and standards pertaining to food safety and quality, as
well as advancements in the food processing market in developing nations, are
propelling the growth of the market. Additionally, ultrasound technology plays
a crucial role in eliminating harmful allergens from processed foods,
beverages, and other related products. Lastly, the growing concerns surrounding
food safety, such as mislabeling and food adulteration, addressed by various
governmental bodies, contribute to the market's growth during the forecast
period.
Rising
Demand for Food Safety and Quality
The growing demand for food safety and
quality is a significant driver behind the expansion of the food ultrasound
market. One of the key factors propelling this market is the increasing
consumer demand for safe and healthy food, driven by mounting concerns about
food safety. Ultrasonic technology plays a vital role in enhancing food safety
and quality by enabling early detection of food contamination, ensuring that
only safe and high-quality products reach consumers.
Ultrasound is employed to detect
bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms in food, as well as to assess the
quality of meat, fish, and fruit by identifying defects, blemishes, and
anomalies. This technology has the potential to mitigate the global health
issue of foodborne illnesses caused by contaminated food. Hence, the rising
demand for food safety and quality is anticipated to drive market growth
throughout the forecast period.
Technological
Innovations
Food ultrasound solutions, like other
industries, are embracing new technological approaches to enhance testing
operations. The leading manufacturers in the food industry are constantly
collaborating to develop cutting-edge ultrasonic detection devices. For
instance, the collaboration between Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation and
QIAGEN N.V. in 2015 aimed to achieve significant breakthroughs in molecular
testing. The objective of this collaboration was to develop new automated PCR
and NGS systems.
Traditional thermal food processing
methods can alter the flavor, color, texture, or nutritional value of a
product. The increasing demand for process efficiency and environmentally
friendly technologies has led to a growing need for energy-efficient ultrasonic
technology. Ultrasonic technology not only helps preserve sensory
characteristics but also improves productivity. Moreover, it caters to the
modern consumer's preference for natural, fresh, and minimally processed meals,
as it eliminates the need for preservatives or additives in the manufacturing
process.
Multiple
Use in Food Industry
The ultrasonic technique is employed for
the testing and analysis of various materials, with particular emphasis on its
application in the food industry. Low-intensity ultrasound provides valuable
insights into physicochemical properties such as composition, structure,
physical state, and flow rate. On the other hand, high-intensity ultrasound is
utilized to alter the physical or chemical characteristics of food, enabling
the creation of emulsions, disruption of cells, promotion of chemical
reactions, enzyme inhibition, meat tenderization, and modification and
crystallization processes.
In the food sector, ultrasound finds
diverse applications including freezing, harvesting, drying, tampering,
bleaching, and sterilizing. The utilization of ultrasonic radiation in
conjunction with sterilizing agents effectively reduces microbial contamination
in food. By minimizing processing costs and ensuring the purity of food
products, ultrasound plays a crucial role in enhancing food safety and quality.
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Key Market Challenges
Lack
Of Skilled Labors
The global food ultrasound market may
face challenges due to the limited availability of skilled labor and
technological errors. Additionally, stringent food safety regulations in
various countries may impact market growth. However, the increasing adoption of
ultrasound technology in the packaged food and beverages sector presents
significant revenue opportunities for market players. Another hurdle to consider
is the requirement for substantial capital investment, particularly in
developing countries.
High
Cost of Maintenance
Food ultrasound equipment necessitates
substantial initial investment from end-users, posing a barrier for small and
medium-sized food manufacturers with limited budgets. This high cost of
technology also restricts the entry of new players, resulting in decreased
competition and ultimately leading to higher prices for customers. These
factors present challenges to the growth of the market at hand.
The growth of the market is further
hindered by technological complexities and the need for significant capital
investment. Additionally, stringent food safety regulations and a lack of
skilled technicians impede market growth. Moreover, ultrasound often impacts
the chemical and physical properties of food, resulting in off-flavors,
discoloration, and other undesirable effects. These factors serve as obstacles
to market expansion.
Key Market Trends
Adoption
of Technology by Dairy Industry
Ultrasound food testing is gaining
popularity in the dairy industry, as highlighted in the report. This technology
is being adopted by dairy companies for the analysis of milk and dairy
products, offering advantages over manual testing methods that are both
time-consuming and costly. Ultrasound analysis allows for the detection of
changes in milk composition, such as fat and protein content, which play a
critical role in maintaining product quality. Additionally, it enables the
measurement of milk homogenization, cheese texture, and other parameters that
are vital in the dairy industry. As a result, the increasing utilization of
ultrasound technology in the dairy industry is expected to have a positive
impact on market growth during the forecast period.
Increasing
Use in the Packaging of Food Products
The growing adoption of ultrasound
technology in the packaged food and beverage industry presents a significant
opportunity for the market. Moreover, ultrasonic food technology offers a
solution to these challenges, while also improving energy efficiency in the
process. Additionally, the food industry benefits from various applications
such as crystallization, degassing, freezing, extraction, drying, filtration,
and bleaching, which contribute to the market's growth during the forecast
period. Furthermore, factors such as increasing demand for adaptation, growth
in food processing industries and food sectors, as well as the need for food
modification and examination, are expected to drive the growth of the food
ultrasound market. Lastly, the market is anticipated to be propelled by the
increasing demand for higher quality and affordable food products.
Segmental Insights
Food Product Type Insights
The ultrasound market is
segmented by food product, including meat & seafood, fruits &
vegetables, beverages, dairy, and bakery & confectionery, among others. The
bakery & confectionery segment encompasses chocolates, cakes, and other
confectionery products. Ultrasound technology is effectively utilized in the
food industry to enhance quality and ensure process control. It plays a crucial
role in inspecting the composition of meat, fish, and poultry products, as well
as in quality control processes for vegetables, cheeses, oils, bread, and
cereals. Additionally, it is employed to detect adulteration in honey and for
protein analysis.
Ultrasound technology holds
significant applications in meat and seafood processing. The increasing demand
for process efficiency, achieved through time optimization and energy-saving
technology, is expected to drive market growth.
The food
ultrasound market is further segmented based on frequency range, categorized as
low-intensity high-frequency and high-intensity low-frequency. The selection of
frequency depends on the specific food product and the desired function to be
performed. Certain processes, such as microbial inactivation and cutting, can
be accomplished using both high and low ultrasound frequencies.
Function Type Insights
Ultrasound technology in food is
categorized into various applications, including Microbial Inactivation,
Quality Assurance, Emulsification & Homogenization, Cleaning, and Cutting,
among others. Quality assurance, being the largest segment in terms of demand
in 2016, was sought after by companies aiming to enhance their business
processes' efficiency. Following quality assurance, microbial inactivation
emerged as the second largest segment in terms of demand. Other notable
applications encompass sterilization, drying, mixing, freezing, pasteurization,
crystallization, pickling, marinating, fermentation, and thawing.