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Individual Quick Freezing Market

Individual Quick Freezing Market

The market for Individual Quick Freezing was estimated at $17.4 billion in 2024; it is anticipated to increase to $24.9 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $33.5 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1905042
Author:Debadatta Patel - Senior Consultant
Published Date:June 2025
Datatree
Food & Beverage
F&B Miscellaneous
Individual Quick Freezing
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Report Summary
Table of Contents
Methodology
Market Data

Global Individual Quick Freezing Market Outlook

Revenue, 2024

$17.4B

Forecast, 2034

$31.5B

CAGR, 2024 - 2034

6.1%
The Individual Quick Freezing industry revenue is expected to be around $18.5 billion in 2025 and expected to showcase growth with 6.1% CAGR between 2025 and 2034. Such an impressive surge in the market for Individual Quick Freezing primarily results from an escalating global demand for frozen food products. Hectic lifestyles and greater purchasing power have stimulated consumer preference towards high-quality, nutritious, preserved food items. Hence, the technological advancement in the frozen food sector, including Individual Quick Freezing, significantly aids in meeting these consumer needs, consequently driving this sectors increased prominence. The essentiality of retaining food freshness and quality, especially in the current pandemic environment, further underlines its ongoing relevance.

Unveiling the essentials, Individual Quick Freezing or IQF methodology, employs extremely low temperatures to swiftly freeze individual commodities, thereby preserving the foods texture, nutritional integrity, and flavor. A drool-worthy offering to the beverage sector, the seafood industry, meat, and poultry; even fruits and vegetables havent remained untouched from its expansive applications.

Individual Quick Freezing market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2024-2034

Market Key Insights

  • The Individual Quick Freezing market is projected to grow from $17.4 billion in 2024 to $31.5 billion in 2034. This represents a CAGR of 6.1%, reflecting rising demand across Frozen Food Industry, Bakery & Confectionery and Dairy Products.
  • The market leaders in this sector include JBT Corporation and Air Products and Chemicals Inc. and Marel which determine the competitive dynamics of the market.
  • U.S. and China are the top markets within the Individual Quick Freezing market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 4.0% to 5.9% between 2024 and 2030.
  • Emerging markets including India, Brazil and South Africa are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 7.0% to 8.4%.
  • The Individual Quick Freezing market will reach $1.9 billion in growth by 2030 through Transition like Embracing Automation.
  • The Individual Quick Freezing market is set to add $14.1 billion between 2024 and 2034, with service providers targeting Pharmaceuticals & Agriculture End-Users projected to gain a larger market share.
  • With Rising populations demand for fresh foods, and Increasing need for longer shelf life, Individual Quick Freezing market to expand 81% between 2024 and 2034.
individual quick freezing market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032

Opportunities in the Individual Quick Freezing

The potential for strategic collaborations, particularly with food processing companies, would vastly extend the reach of Individual Quick Freezing. These partnerships would provide new channels for IQF technology application, from fast-casual dining to supermarket frozen goods.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia-Pacific

North America Outlook

The North America region boasts a strong demand for Individual Quick Freezing technology due to its burgeoning frozen food industry. The stringent food safety norms and high consumer preference for nutritious frozen foods propel the regions market growth. Key market players involved in the Individual Quick Freezing landscape include JBT Corporation, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., and GEA Group AG. However, the competition is intensifying with rapid technological advancements and the entry of promising startups. The growth of foodservice establishments and meal delivery services in North America significantly contribute to the driving factors enhancing the demand for Individual Quick Freezing technology. Overall, the North American region holds substantial opportunities complemented by its robust market dynamics.

Asia-Pacific Outlook

Asia-Pacific, on the other hand, presents notable growth prospects for the Individual Quick Freezing market. The regions market growth is stimulated by its evolving food habits and increasing population, which foster the demand for frozen convenience foods. The market has a diverse competitor base such as OctoFrost Group, FPS Food Process Solutions Corp., and PATKOL Public Company Limited. Engaged in enhancing their technological capabilities, these companies act as market drivers. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific market benefits from its increasing e-commerce penetration and expanding retail sector.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Rising Populations Demand for Fresh Foods, and Advancements in Freezing Technology

With the world population increasingly valuing the retention of original food characteristics such as freshness, taste, and texture, the Individual Quick Freezing method has also positioned itself as a key player in fulfilling these consumer demands. By using rapid freezing technology, the method minutely freezes the moisture within individual food items, ensuring that the food maintains the most vital elements of freshness. This contributes to the products visual appeal and taste, leading to a burgeoning demand in the consumer market. The ongoing technological advancements in the field of quick freezing techniques have also opened new prospects for the Individual Quick Freezing market. Innovations like the introduction of cryogenic Individual Quick Freezing, which employs extremely low temperatures to freeze products, have also resulted in even better quality retention and faster freezing times.
Amidst the rising trend of globalization and cross-border trade, the need to extend the shelf life of perishable food products has also become even more pressing. Individual Quick Freezing technology plays a crucial role here, preserving the quality of food products for long periods due to its superior preservation benefits. This makes it the method of choice for exporters and retailers who aim to maintain the freshness of products while they are also being transported over long distances.
02

Restraint: High Initial Investment

The deployment of Individual Quick Freezing technology often necessitates substantial capital upfront. This is due to not only the cost of equipment but also the additional costs associated with infrastructure, installation, and necessary modifications. For small and medium-sized enterprises , this requirement of heavy financial investment may pose a significant barrier to the adoption of this technology, subsequently limiting the market growth for Individual Quick Freezing.
03

Opportunity: Technological Innovations and Exploring Untapped Segments

Advancements in IQF technology, particularly in the realm of automation and energy efficiency, present significant growth opportunities. The development of equipment that uses less energy will not only reduce operational costs but also make IQF more environmentally friendly, a factor increasingly important to modern consumers. Innovating in these areas will establish market leaders in the Individual Quick Freezing industry and offer enhanced product competitiveness.
There are vast untapped market segments for Individual Quick Freezing technology. Prime among these are emerging economies with rapidly growing restaurant sectors, where the ability to freeze ingredients individually could bring massive efficiency improvements. By targeting these untapped segments, IQF technology providers can capitalize on the growing demands for food preservation, therefore leading to increased market growth.
04

Challenge: Energy Consumption

While Individual Quick Freezing promises superior quality and longevity for perishable foods, it does so at the expense of high energy consumption. The process inherently demands large amounts of energy to achieve its rapid freezing capability, which can lead to elevated operational costs and potential environmental concerns. This rises as a critical that could potentially undermine the wide-scale adoption and expansion of the Individual Quick Freezing market.

Supply Chain Landscape

1
Equipment Manufacturing

GEA Group

JBT Corporation

2
Raw Material Providers

Air Products and Chemicals

Linde

3
IQF Processors

SunOpta

Uren Food Group

4
End Users

Food Processing

Seafood

Poultry & Meat

*The illustration highlights the key stakeholders within the supply chain ecosystem.

Applications of Individual Quick Freezing in Frozen Food Industry, Bakery & Confectionery & Dairy Products

Frozen Food Industry

Individual quick freezing is extensively used in the frozen food industry due to its capacity to preserve the freshness and nutritional value of food items. This method is crucial for fruits, vegetables, and seafood, where nutritional retention and quality are paramount. Among the differents of IQF, the spiral freezer is prominently used due to its space efficiency and the ability to handle delicate and soft products. Notably, major players like McCain Foods have immensely benefited from this technology by producing high-quality frozen fruits, vegetables, and ready meals. This underscores their market dominance in the frozen food segment.

Dairy Products

The dairy industry is another chief benefactor of the individual quick freezing technology. IQF, specifically implemented through tunnel freezers, helps to maintain optimal texture and taste in dairy products like ice cream and cheese. Dairy companies like Dairy Farmers of America and Fonterra leverage this technology extensively to keep their dairy products fresh, enhancing both quality and customer satisfaction. This unique advantage has cemented their leading position in the global dairy market.

Bakery & Confectionery

Incorporation of IQF in the bakery and confectionery industry has revolutionized the preservation of baked goods and sweets. The fluidized bed freezers often used in this application allow for quicker freezing of small, lightweight pastry products ensuring intact texture and taste.

Recent Developments

December 2024

GEA Group AG launched a new series of high-power Individual Quick Freezing machines, aiming to revolutionize the IQF technology market.

November 2024

JBT Corporation announced a significant investment in developing sustainable, energy-efficient Individual Quick Freezing machinery to transform current industry practices.

October 2024

MAREL introduced a groundbreaking AI-powered Individual Quick Freezing system to optimize productivity in food processing industries.

Recent market developments in the field of Individual Quick Freezing are demonstrating significant strides. Advancements in technology and growing consumer demands are reshaping this space, shifting market trends towards more efficient, sustainable solutions. Undeniably, Individual Quick Freezing is gaining popularity as a method of preserving food quality, yielding an increase in market investments.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Individual Quick Freezing Market

As a core segment of the F&B industry, the Individual Quick Freezing market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Embracing Automation and Adoption of Sustainable Practices have redefined priorities across the F&B sector, influencing how the Individual Quick Freezing market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Embracing Automation

Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable transition towards automation in the Individual Quick Freezing industry. This is primarily due to the increased demand for frozen foods, and the requirement for faster and more efficient freezing methods. Technologies such as robotic systems and AI are being harnessed to automate the freezing process, increasing productivity and reducing human error. For instance, automatic toters are being used to handle and move products, while sensors and controllers monitor the freezing process. This has had a profound impact on the food industry, enabling it to meet the everincreasing demand for frozen delicacies. Automated processes have also been proven to improve the quality and consistency of frozen products, enhancing customer satisfaction and brand reputation This industry transition is expected to add $1.9 billion in the industry revenue between 2024 and 2030.
02

Adoption of Sustainable Practices

Another major transition in the Individual Quick Freezing industry is the shift towards more sustainable freezing methods. In light of growing environmental concerns and strict regulatory compliances, manufacturers are adopting energyefficient machines and environmentally friendly refrigerants to reduce their carbon footprint.

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