Accounting for 2% of the Latin American flexible packaging market, the pouch continues to advance

The inherent value of emerging countries to global food packaging growth is underlined by 2010 performance. Following the depths of the downturn in 2009, it is the developing regions which show the most resilient return to recovery. In terms of real GDP growth, Argentina and Brazil proved strongest for Latin America, in company with Asia Pacific nations to be amongst the highest GDP growth economies of 2010.

Brazil holds an important place as one of the world's highest growth economies. In food packaging volume gains for 2010, Brazil ranks fourth in the world after Asian leaders, China, India and Indonesia. Dairy is the largest food end-use for packaging in Brazil and is projected strong growth, especially lucrative for thin wall plastic in spoonable yoghurt and liquid cartons in milk and soy beverages. Product line extensions that target adults in functional yoghurt and children in flavoured milk will underpin growth from a financially-strong consumer base.

Flexible plastic's versatility supports its position as the most used packaging in Latin America's foods industry. Confectionery, bakery and pasta are considered to offer the best volume growth opportunities through to 2015. For thin wall plastic, a rise in consumption of packaged dairy and ice cream will spur sales; Brazil is predicted to account for 65% of thin wall gains over 2010-2015.

HDPE bottles are predominantly the domain of liquid dairy in Latin America's foods industry. With regional per capita consumption of drinking yoghurt and fresh/pasteurised milk on the up, HDPE bottle sales also grew strongly, at a 7% CAGR over 2005-2010. Further development is likely as yoghurt manufacturers seek to broaden their distribution, both in terms of product and regional spread to meet the needs of a consumer that has more money to spend.

Accounting for nearly 2% of Latin American flexible packaging sales, the pouch continues to advance. Dried foods, sauces and bakery offer the best potential for gains with rice, a strong contender in premium rice. Erosion of glass' share in mayonnaise and pasta sauce continues.

Fast-developing countries of Latin America offer packagers a positive outlook. Even glass, usually regarded a slow performer, is predicted a 2% CAGR over 2010-2015. Demand from consumers for added-value packaging will become more commonplace as Alpina'slaunch in thin wall for baby food in Colombia and Alpura'slaunch of shaped cartons for milk in Mexico indicate.

For The Full Report: Food Packaging Prospects in Emerging Markets: Latin America - Market Report