Market Trends of Asia-Pacific Gelatin Industry
Increasing Demand for Low-Fat and Fat-Free Food Products
- Owing to the increasing health consciousness for obesity, diabetes, and other health-related diseases, consumers are shifting toward low-calorie, fat-free food products. According to the Japan Ice Cream Association, ice cream was the most popular dessert in Japan, with over 28% restricting themselves to once a week. Close to 8% of respondents enjoyed the cold treat almost daily. Gelatin plays a vital role in the preparation of low-fat or reduced-fat meals. Due to its ability to form an oil-in-water emulsion, it can be used partially to replace the high-fat content in many products. Without gelatin, it is hard to develop many low-fat products, such as half-fat margarine, reduced-fat cheeses, or yogurt variations. Products, such as half-fat butter, reduced-fat cheese, and fat-free ice cream gelatin, help minimize the fat content without compromising taste.
- In pizza cheese, for example, gelatin not only reduces the fat content but also improves the melting properties. Gelatin improves stability, increases shelf life, and gives the product a creamy texture. By considering its binding properties, gelatin increases the yield of cheese production and allows for cost-saving. Low doses of gelatin (0.2 to 3%) are sufficient to give dairy products the required texture.
- Moreover, gelatin facilitates aeration, stabilizes the ice cream, improves low-temperature conservation, and prevents the formation of ice crystals during long-term conservation. It also improves ice cream's resistance to temperature variations. Combined with other texturing agents, it gives the ice cream a very characteristic texture and slows the melting of the ice cream in the mouth. Gelatin also creates a fat-like matrix in emulsions that exhibit shear-thinning properties and fat-like creaminess. Thus, the addition of gelatin results in a smooth, creamy texture and a compatible appearance and taste. In addition, gelatin is used to create sliceable aspics, sausages, and spreadable products in meat products, which have significantly fewer calories than other meat or sausage products. Spreadable sausages have a higher fat content, but gelatin provides excellent texture and improved spreadability while reducing the fat and calorie content. Thus, the increasing demand for low-fat, fat-free food products is, in turn, creating a potential market for food-grade gelatin, as it is widely used as an ideal fat replacement without causing any changes in the texture or taste or having any side effects.
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China Held the Largest Market Share
- The growth of the gelatin market in China has been significantly fueled by the rising demand for gelatin across a range of end-use industries. In the food and beverage industry, gelatin is a commonly used component. It is used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickening in a variety of goods, including confectionery, dairy, desserts, and beverages.
- Gelatin is additionally used in the pharmaceutical industry to create capsules, pills, wound dressings, and hemostats. Gelatin is another ingredient found in a number of cosmetics, including shampoos, conditioners, and lotions for the skin. The gelatin market has expanded as a result of China's expanding population.
- China has the largest population in the world, with approximately 1.4 billion people. The demand for foods, medications, and other consumer goods containing gelatin is rising along with the population. Gelatin demand in the nation is predicted to increase as a result of this trend.
- Moreover, the gelatin market has expanded as a result of China's expanding disposable income. For instance, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, the per capita disposable income of households in China was 36,883 yuan in 2022. Consumers are increasingly eager to spend money on high-quality, safe, healthy, and secure food products, medications, and cosmetics when earnings rise. The demand for gelatin-based goods that are seen as high-quality and safe has surged as a result, such as collagen supplements, which are said to have anti-aging and skin-improving effects.
- The Chinese government has also put in place regulations that are intended to increase the quality and safety of food and medicinal items. As an illustration, the government has put out laws mandating that manufacturers adhere to rigid safety and quality standards. Due to consumers' growing willingness to pay a premium for goods that are regarded as safe and of high quality, this has raised the demand for gelatin made in accordance with these regulations.
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