Global Post-Harvest Treatment Market Size By Product Type (Coatings, Ethylene Blockers, Cleaners And Sanitizers, Fungicides, Sprout Inhibitors), By Crop Type (Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers And Ornamentals), By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Post-Harvest Treatment Market Size And Forecast

Post-Harvest Treatment Market size was valued at USD 1.77 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.67 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.30% from 2024 to 2031.

• The field of post-harvest treatments is varied, with a toolbox of solutions to meet a variety of demands. One way is to use edible coatings, which are thin layers of natural or synthetic substances applied to the product. These coatings function as a second skin, limiting moisture loss, and bruising, and even suppressing the growth of spoilage-causing microbes. Another option is temperature management. By carefully managing storage temperatures, respiration rates are delayed, buying critical time before fruits and vegetables decay.
• Certain crops require carefully chosen chemical treatments. Fungicides prevent fungal development, which is a common enemy of fruits and vegetables. Ethylene blockers are another weapon in the arsenal, specifically developed to halt the ripening process of fruits. Strict controls ensure that safe and approved chemicals meet demanding food safety standards.
• The invisible realm of gases also affects post-harvest treatments. Modified atmosphere storage includes changing the gas composition around the produce. By decreasing oxygen levels and raising carbon dioxide, respiration rates are reduced, extending shelf life. In addition, some treatments use ozone or chlorine dioxide gas to sanitize surfaces, removing microorganisms and improving food safety.

Global Post-Harvest Treatment Market Dynamics

The key market dynamics that are shaping the Post-Harvest Treatment Market include

Key Market Drivers

• Growing Global Population and Food Security Concerns As the global population grows, so does the demand for efficient food production and waste reduction. Post-harvest treatments play an important role in this equation. By minimizing spoilage and prolonging shelf life, they ensure that more fruits and vegetables reach customers, contributing to global food security. This is especially critical in areas with limited access to fresh produce or high food waste rates.
• Increased Consumer Demand for Fresh, High-Quality Produce Today’s health-conscious consumers value fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Post-harvest treatments meet this demand by ensuring that produce retains its nutritional value, visual appeal, and general quality throughout the supply chain. These treatments assist fruits and vegetables preserve their vivid colors, crisp textures, and key vitamins and minerals, ensuring that consumers receive a healthy and enjoyable product.
• Expanding Global Trade and Longer Transportation Needs As a result of globalization, international trade in fresh produce has increased significantly. However, transporting fruits and vegetables across long distances has issues in retaining freshness. Post-harvest treatments respond to this difficulty by prolonging shelf life, allowing fruit to travel longer distances while maintaining quality. This promotes international trade and provides consumers with a more diverse selection of fresh vegetables throughout the year.
• Focus on Reducing Food Waste Food waste is a major global issue, with the majority occurring after harvest. Post-harvest treatments provide a great way to reduce waste. By preventing spoiling, prolonging shelf life, and maintaining quality, these treatments ensure that more product reaches customers, lowering the environmental and economic effects of food waste.
• Growing Preference for Organic and Minimally Processed Foods The desire for organic and minimally processed foods is increasing. Consumers are increasingly looking for items that are free of synthetic chemicals and artificial preservatives. This trend fosters innovation in the Post-Harvest Treatment Market, leading to the development of natural and organic treatments. Natural waxes, essential oils, and other plant-based components are now being researched to develop viable remedies.
• Stringent Food Safety Regulations Food safety regulations are growing more stringent over the world. Post-harvest treatments, particularly those that target pathogens and microbial development, are critical for assuring food safety. They help to avoid foodborne illnesses and contribute to a safer food supply chain, meeting regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.
• Advancements in Technology and Innovation The Post-Harvest Treatment Market is continually evolving, thanks to technological advances and ongoing research. New and novel solutions are emerging, including bio-based coatings, modified environment packaging, and post-harvest irradiation technologies. These developments provide more efficient, sustainable, and effective methods for maintaining the quality and safety of fruits and vegetables. 

Key Challenges

• Knowledge Gap and Infrastructure Limitations Effective post-harvest treatment implementation requires both knowledge and infrastructure, especially in underdeveloped countries. Smallholder farmers frequently lack access to appropriate storage facilities, controlled-atmosphere technologies, and best-practice training. This information gap, combined with limited infrastructure, might result in inappropriate treatment administration, lowering effectiveness and adding to postharvest losses.
• Consumer Perception and Acceptance While the benefits of post-harvest treatments are clear, some consumers may have concerns about their safety or view them as strange. Educating consumers on various treatment methods, their role in food safety, and the usage of natural alternatives might help alleviate these worries and increase acceptance.
• Stringent Regulations and Balanced Safety and Effectiveness Regulatory agencies play an important role in maintaining food safety. However, strict rules can often limit the availability of certain post-harvest treatments, particularly those that use chemicals. The constant challenge is to strike a balance between safety and effectiveness, protecting consumers while allowing for the research and deployment of breakthrough treatments.
• Economic Considerations and Cost-Effectiveness For smallholder farmers and underdeveloped nations, the initial expenditure required to implement certain post-harvest treatments, such as controlled-atmosphere storage or sophisticated coatings, can be a major obstacle. Developing cost-effective solutions, establishing funding choices, and demonstrating the long-term economic benefits of reduced food waste are critical for widespread adoption.
• Environmental Impact and Sustainability Concerns Certain post-harvest treatments, particularly those that use chemical fungicides or specific forms of packaging, might cause environmental issues. The industry is pushed to create sustainable solutions that reduce environmental impact, use biodegradable materials, and promote energy-efficient technology throughout the post-harvest treatment process.

Key Trends

• Natural and Organic Solutions The rising popularity of organic and minimally processed foods is increasing demand for natural post-harvest treatments. Extensive research is being conducted to produce effective therapies with natural substances such as plant-based waxes, essential oils, and biocontrol agents. These solutions provide a safe and consumer-friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals, harmonizing with the organic food trend and targeting a more health-conscious market.
• Precision Technologies and Data-Driven Insights Advances in automation and data analytics are paving the path for more precise post-harvest treatments. Sensors and monitoring systems are being integrated into storage facilities to enable real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and gas levels. This information can then be utilized to adapt treatment applications to the individual needs of each fruit or vegetable variety, increasing efficacy and reducing waste.
• Integration with Packaging Solutions As packaging technologies progress, the post-harvest treatment sector is experiencing increased synergy. Modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) is an excellent example, in which the gas composition within the container is modified to reduce respiration and extend shelf life. Integrating these packaging methods with other post-harvest treatments, such as natural coatings or bio-based preservatives, can result in a potent combined impact for maximum preservation.
• Traceability and Transparency Throughout the Supply Chain Sustainability is a primary driver of innovation in the post-harvest treatment business. There is an increasing emphasis on developing biodegradable coatings, using recycled materials in packaging solutions, and implementing energy-efficient technologies throughout the post-harvest process. This emphasis is consistent with broader environmental concerns and customer desire for responsible methods throughout the food supply chain.
• E-commerce with the emergence of direct-to-consumer models The growth of e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer (D2C) models for fresh produce delivery is driving up demand for post-harvest treatments. These models necessitate efficient and effective solutions for preserving freshness and quality during transit directly to consumers’ doorsteps. The market is reacting by developing portable and customizable treatment alternatives suitable for smaller-scale applications and shorter supply chains in the D2C landscape.

Global Post-Harvest Treatment Market Regional Analysis

Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the Post-Harvest Treatment Market

North America

• North America currently holds a significant share of the global Post-Harvest Treatment Market. This is due to a well-established agriculture sector, high disposable incomes, and a strong emphasis on food safety regulations. Consumers in this region are willing to pay a premium for fresh, high-quality produce, driving demand for advanced post-harvest treatment solutions.
• The North American market is expected to witness steady growth due to several factors. Firstly, there’s a growing focus on adopting advanced technologies like controlled atmosphere storage, modified atmosphere packaging, and smart monitoring systems. These technologies allow for precise control over storage conditions and extend shelf life, minimizing waste and maximizing profit margins for producers and retailers.
• Food waste reduction is a top priority in North America. Post-harvest treatments are seen as a crucial tool to achieve this goal. Government initiatives and consumer awareness campaigns further encourage the adoption of effective post-harvest practices.

Europe

• Europe is another mature market for post-harvest treatments. Stringent regulations regarding food safety and environmental impact heavily influence product development and market trends. European consumers are increasingly health-conscious and prioritize organic and minimally processed foods, driving demand for natural and sustainable post-harvest solutions.
• While growth in Europe might not be as rapid as in some emerging regions, the market is expected to expand steadily. Innovation is focused on developing eco-friendly treatments like bio-coatings derived from plant extracts and biodegradable packaging materials. Additionally, there’s a growing interest in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that minimize reliance on chemical fungicides.

Asia Pacific

• The Asia Pacific region is poised for the most significant growth in the Post-Harvest Treatment Market. This is fueled by several factors, including a rapidly growing population, rising disposable incomes, and increasing urbanization. Consumers in this region are demanding fresh produce, leading to a surge in demand for effective post-harvest solutions.
• As more people move to urban areas, traditional storage and handling practices become less efficient. The need for reliable post-harvest treatments to maintain product quality during longer transportation and storage times becomes critical. Additionally, growing awareness about food safety and a preference for fresh produce are driving market expansion.
• Governments in the Asia Pacific region are recognizing the importance of the agriculture sector and investing in infrastructure development. This includes building modern storage facilities, introducing cold chain logistics, and promoting the adoption of post-harvest treatments among smallholder farmers.

Global Post-Harvest Treatment Market Segmentation Analysis

The Global Post-Harvest Treatment Market is Segmented on the basis of Product Type, Crop Type, and Geography.

Post-Harvest Treatment Market, By Product Type

• Coatings
• Ethylene Blockers
• Cleaners & Sanitizers
• Fungicides
• Sprout Inhibitors

Based on Product Type, the market is bifurcated into Coatings, Ethylene Blockers, Cleaners & Sanitizers, Fungicides, and Sprout Inhibitors. According to analysts, Coatings are predicted to dominate the Post-Harvest Treatment Market from 2024 to 2031. This dominance arises from their adaptability and efficacy. Coatings provide a protective barrier, decreasing moisture loss, preventing bruising, and increasing shelf life. Coatings provide broader protection than fungicides, which only target certain infections. While cleaners and sanitizers are essential for basic hygiene, their effects are only transient. Ethylene blockers provide a specialized purpose for several fruits, although their use is limited. Sprout inhibitors serve a specialized market and cannot compete with the larger benefits that coatings provide for a variety of fruits and vegetables. As a result, coatings’ numerous functions and cost-effectiveness cement their position as the main category in the post-harvest treatment industry.

Post-Harvest Treatment Market, By Crop Type

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Flowers & Ornamentals

Based on Crop Type, the market is bifurcated into Fruits, Vegetables, and Flowers & Ornamentals. According to analysis, Fruits are predicted to capture the largest market share in the Post-Harvest Treatment Market during the forecast period. This dominance is caused by a variety of circumstances. For starters, fruits are generally more perishable than vegetables, with a shorter shelf life and greater susceptibility to spoiling. This necessitates a greater use of post-harvest treatments, such as coatings, ethylene blockers, and fungicides, than vegetables. Flowers and ornamentals, while growing, remain a smaller section due to their shorter lifespan and more specialized treatment requirements. Vegetables, while requiring post-harvest treatments, benefit from more inherent resilience than fruits, resulting in a little lesser dependency on these interventions. As a result of the greater range of treatments required to preserve quality and increase shelf life, fruits are the largest crop type in the post-harvest treatment industry.

Key Players

The “Global Post-Harvest Treatment Market” study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are JBT, AgroFresh, Syngenta Crop Protection AG, Decco, BASF, Bayer AG, Citrosol, and Hazel Technologies, Inc.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.

Post-Harvest Treatment Market Recent Developments

• In April 2023, JBT (USA) acquired Avure Technologies Inc. (USA), a provider of post-harvest disinfection systems for fresh produce. This acquisition strengthens JBT’s portfolio in post-harvest solutions and highlights the growing focus on disinfection technologies.
• In June 2022, BASF (Germany) launched a new line of post-harvest fungicides with improved efficacy against a broader spectrum of pathogens. This development reflects the ongoing innovation in fungicides to address evolving threats and ensure food safety.
• In March 2021, Hazel Technologies, Inc. (USA) secured $100 million in Series D funding to accelerate the development and commercialization of its shelf-life extension technologies for fruits and vegetables. This significant investment highlights the growing interest in shelf-life extension technologies and the potential of startups in this space.
• In February 2020, Decco (USA) partnered with IBM (USA) to leverage blockchain technology for enhanced traceability and transparency in post-harvest treatment processes. This collaboration demonstrates the emerging role of blockchain technology in ensuring food safety and building trust in the post-harvest treatment sector.
• In May 2020, Syngenta Crop Protection AG (Switzerland) introduced a new post-harvest wax coating formulated with natural ingredients for organic produce. This development caters to the rising demand for organic and sustainable solutions in the Post-Harvest Treatment Market.

Report Scope

Research Methodology of Market Research