the packaging market for protein foods is growing at 3.8 annually.a new study on meat, poultry & seafood packaging shows that this 11bn market is driven by prepared foods, items in smaller and more convenient sizes and packaging formats that make food preparation easier and faster.when it comes to the packaging market for meat, poultry and seafood that&rsquos growing at 3.8 annually, growth in flexibles expanding at 4 including barrier films is outpacing rigid packaging. flexpack advantages center on lighter weight, reduced material use and the marketing benefit of larger billboard space.&ldquothe prevalence of caseready meats, which use modified atmosphere packaging and vacuum packaging, will drive gains for barrier films,&rdquo says freedonia group analyst esther palevsky. she expects vacuum pouches to see expanded usage with fresh, frozen, and processed items, while standup pouches will make further inroads into folding carton applications.the study, meat, poultry & seafood packaging, projects that demand will increase 3.8 annually to reach nearly 11 billion in 2019. underlying trends driving the market include increases in population, growth in foodservice and additional export opportunities. in addition, demand will be supported by continued solid prospects for prepared foods, items in smaller and more convenient sizes, and packaging formats that make food preparation easier and faster.maturity in rigid formats including folding cartons and metal cans will continue, along with competitive pressure versus flexible packaging alternatives. plastic containers will see the fastest growth among rigid packaging, though they, too, will face increased competition from lowercost flexibles such as windowed bags and handled pouches for prepared foods.one rigid format&mdashin fact the largest rigid segment&mdashis seeing growth corrugated boxes, which will benefit from continuing requirements for shippers, the adaption of highervalue moistureresistant boxes andor modular boxes for caseready meats.published this month and comprising 347 pages, meat, poultry & seafood packaging is available for 5,300 from the freedonia group, inc., cleveland.filed underthe freedonia groupbags boxes cases and shippers pouches 
