Natural Colors Outgrow Synthetics, Account For 39 Percent Of Food Color Market

In 2011, the value of the natural color segment has overtaken that of the artificial and synthetic color segment of the global food color industry, according to Mintel and Leatherhead Food Research. Global sales of natural colors grew 29 percent from 2007 to reach $600 million in 2011, with annual growth rate exceeding 7 percent. Natural colors’ share of the total food color market rose from 34 percent in 2007 to almost 39 percent in 2011. Artificial colors grew less than 4 percent between 2007 and 2011, with total worth of $570 million, accounting for 37 percent of the overall market. Data also revealed the food industry accounted for 70 percent of the natural food colors market, while soft drinks had 27 percent and alcoholic beverages held 3 percent.