Food Traceability Market

Food Traceability Market Size and Share:

The global food traceability market size was valued at USD 21.6 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 44.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.85% during 2025-2033. Europe currently dominates the market, holding a significant market share of over 32.5% in 2024. This region's dominance is driven by strict food safety regulations, advanced traceability technologies, and a strong demand for transparency across industries like agriculture, food manufacturing, and retail.

A major driver of the food traceability market is the increasing consumer demand for transparency and safety in the food supply chain. For instance, according to recent data, Asia Pacific faces annual food safety impacts on 600 million people, with 400,000 fatalities. The increase in cases has led to higher regulatory standards and industry standards for traceability. Advanced technologies, such as blockchain, IoT, and RFID, are increasingly adopted to improve tracking and monitoring capabilities for authenticity and quality. Furthermore, the expansion of global food trade requires powerful traceability systems to adapt to the regulations of cross-border trade and maintain consumer confidence. All these factors drive the growth of the food traceability market, allowing for safe and reliable food supply networks.

The United States plays a crucial role in advancing the food traceability market through technological innovations, regulatory frameworks, and industry leadership. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented stringent traceability rules under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), compelling food producers and distributors to enhance supply chain transparency. The adoption of cutting-edge technologies, including blockchain, RFID, and IoT, has positioned the U.S. as a leader in traceability solutions. For instance, in 2024, ReposiTrak welcomed 50 new suppliers to its Traceability Network, enabling an efficient exchange of FDA-required Key Data Elements for compliance, leveraging its robust SaaS platform. In addition, strong collaborations between technology providers and the food industry support the implementation of efficient systems. These efforts reinforce consumer trust, ensure food safety, and drive the global food traceability market forward.

Food Traceability Market Trends:

Rising Integration of Blockchain

This new technology of blockchain offers an excellent means of secure and unchangeable recording and sharing data through the supply chain. For instance, according to the World Economic Forum, 45% of supply chain leaders only have visibility to their first-tier suppliers or no visibility at all, and only 7% have multi-tier transparency. Major retailers, such as Carrefour and Walmart, are using blockchain to trace the origin of fresh produce and meat, thereby enabling quick response to contamination recalls and issues, which in turn is fostering food traceability market growth. The technology also helps in combating food fraud by verifying the authenticity of organic and high-value products, which is positively influencing the food traceability market outlook. For example, in June 2024, Bunge, a leading food and agribusiness company, and Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Company Limited (BKP), a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited, jointly tested a traceability platform using blockchain technology for sustainable soy. 

Growing Adoption of IoT

Growing demand for IoT-based sensors, which would enhance the traceability of food, is an extremely strong growth driver. These could be used to capture and track environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, and location. Additionally, increased usage of RFID tags and GPS trackers providing real-time status and location information of perishable goods also supports the demand of the food traceability market. It therefore improves traceability and reduces wastage of food at the same time by the correct handling from farm to table, maintaining quality on high standards.  For example, in May 2024, Wiliot introduced a new ambient IoT food safety initiative to help the food industry create safer and more traceable supply chains.

Regulatory Compliance

International and government bodies are implementing strict measures to ensure food quality and safety. For instance, the European Union's General Food Law requires comprehensive traceability from farm to fork. Compliance with such regulations necessitates robust traceability systems that can document every stage of the supply chain. In June 2024, the FDA partnered with the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) to develop training for food manufacturers on food traceability. The market is expected to continue fueling in the coming years due to investments in advanced technologies and processes that companies are making to meet these standards.

Food Traceability Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global food traceability market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. The market has been categorized based on technology, equipment, application, and end user.

Analysis by Technology:

• RFID/RTLS
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Barcode
• Infrared
• Biometrics

Barcode stands as the largest technology in 2024, holding around 34.4% of the market. The reason behind its prevalence is that barcodes are highly used for the tracking and identification of products in several industries such as retail, logistics, and healthcare. Barcodes are one of the most affordable and reliable data collection solutions that allow the inventory management and ensures the supply chain visibility. Advanced barcode technologies, including 2D and QR codes, add to their functionality and popularity. With the increasing focus on automation and accuracy in operations, barcodes continue to be an essential part of process streamlining, error reduction, and meeting the increasing demand for traceability and transparency.

Analysis by Equipment:

• PDA with GPS
• Thermal Printers
• 2D and 1D Scanners
• Tags and Labels
• Sensors
• Others

2D and 1D scanners lead the market in 2024. These scanners are highly adopted in retail, logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing industries, where fast and accurate identification of products and inventory is required. Moreover, the versatility of 2D scanners to read 1D and 2D barcodes has increased their demand. Also, the scanning technology improvement, including speed, accuracy, and wireless connectivity, improves operational efficiency. With a focus on the increased importance of automation and traceability, business houses continue to embrace 2D and 1D scanners.

Analysis by Application:

• Meat and Livestock
• Fresh Produce and Seeds
• Dairy Products
• Beverage Products
• Fisheries
• Others

Meat and livestock lead the market with around 25.9% of the market share in 2024. Such a trend is therefore fueled by increased demand regarding traceability and safety aspects of the process of meat distribution and production. Consumers along with regulatory agencies emphasize further that there should be added supply chain transparency in making sure that the quality delivered, the chances of becoming contaminated, and the exposure to disease outbreak are not that high. In most advanced tracking technologies such as RFID and blockchain, one important role is monitoring the flow from the farm to the table. Moreover, increased exports of meat products and strict international regulations strengthen the adoption of traceability solutions in the meat and livestock segment, further solidifying its leadership.

Analysis by End User:

• Food Manufacturers
• Warehouse/Pack Farms
• Food Retailers
• Government Departments
• Others

Food manufacturers leads the market in 2024. The growing demand for transparency from consumers and stringent regulatory requirements are forcing manufacturers to implement advanced traceability solutions. The operation of real-time tracking of ingredients and finished products by the use of technologies like blockchain, RFID, and IoT makes it more efficient while reducing risks such as contamination and recalls. Increased traceability adoption will also come with international standards in food exports worldwide. As key players in maintaining food safety and meeting evolving consumer expectations, food manufacturers continue to dominate the market landscape.

Regional Analysis:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa

In 2024, Europe accounted for the largest market share of over 32.5%. Europe leads the food traceability market due to strict regulatory frameworks and growing consumer demand for transparency. The European Union enforces stringent food safety laws, such as the General Food Law Regulation, requiring traceability across the supply chain. Rising food safety concerns and an increased focus on quality assurance drive businesses to adopt advanced traceability solutions. Additionally, European consumers prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing, pushing manufacturers to improve visibility in their operations. Technological advancements, including blockchain and IoT, enhance tracking efficiency, enabling real-time data sharing. Collaborations among industry players and government initiatives further strengthen the region’s leadership, ensuring compliance and promoting innovation. This combination of regulations, technology, and consumer awareness makes Europe a frontrunner in food traceability.

Key Regional Takeaways:

United States Food Traceability Market Analysis

US accounts for 86.7% of the market share in North America. Strong food safety regulations, including the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which requires end-to-end traceability, thereby leading to its high adoption. In line with this, increased need for food supply transparency as a result of growing concern about food safety. This, in turn, is impelling the market growth. Moreover, food traceability systems lower the risk of foodborne illnesses and improve consumer safety by assisting in the identification and removal of contaminated products from the supply chain. Additionally, the supply chain makes considerable use of cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, RFID, and IoT to provide real-time traceability. For instance, in 2018, IBM Food Trust was a blockchain-based food traceability network designed for food suppliers, distributors, and retailers. Moreover, by facilitating quicker recall procedures, cutting waste, and enhancing inventory control, traceability solutions simplify supply chain operations.  Furthermore, traceability makes it easier to monitor the ethical and environmental effects of food production, which is in line with consumers' increasing desire for products with ethical and sustainable sources.

Asia Pacific Food Traceability Market Analysis

Several factors are driving the market for food traceability across the Asia-Pacific. In order to comply with international norms, traceability is essential, especially for shipments to the US and Europe.  According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Indian agricultural and processed food products exported up by 25% to USD 13,771 Million in the second quarter of 2022-2023 compared to the same period last year. In line with this, to address the regular food safety issues, nations such as China and India are putting traceability systems into place. According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2010 to 2020, China’s catering service facilities, reported 18,331 foodborne illness outbreaks, which resulted in 206,718 illnesses, 68,561 hospitalizations, and 201 deaths.

Europe Food Traceability Market Analysis

The food traceability market is augmenting due to several factors across Europe. Strict traceability is enforced by the European Union through laws such as the General Food Law and standards for food labeling which is propelling the market growth across the region. In line with this, focusing on reducing food waste while ensuring the ethical sourcing of products is further driving the market growth. According to the government of United Kingdom, as of 1 April 2024, there were 55,000 agri-environment agreements. There were 34,900 CS (Countryside Stewardship) agreements, 6,200 ES (Environmental Stewardship) agreements and 13,900 SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) 2023 agreements. In addition, the growing demand for organic and non-GMO products across the region is continuously driving the need for enhanced traceability. According to the government of the United Kingdom, in 2023, 498 Thousand Hectares were farmed organically across the country. Additionally, 60% of United Kingdom organic land was in England, 23% in Scotland, 15% in Wales and 1.4% in Northern Ireland.

Latin America Food Traceability Market Analysis

Owing to several factors the food traceability market across the region is fueling rapidly. As major exporters of beef, poultry, and coffee, traceability is playing a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the standards set by importing countries. According to the Government of Brazil, the nation sold halal chicken meat to more than 30 countries. Additionally, in 2023, more than 2.2 Million Tons and more than USD 3.9 Billion were exported.  In line with this, food traceability systems are identifying and addressing contamination sources, thereby reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses and enhancing consumer trust across the region.

Middle East and Africa Food Traceability Market Analysis

The food traceability market across the region is being driven due to several growth factors. Traceability is ensuring compliance with religious dietary laws, serving as a key driver in the market. For instance, the Halal or Kosher certification is specifically used across the Middle East countries. In line with this, governments are actively promoting traceability initiatives to reduce waste and enhance supply chain efficiency. Moreover, traceability systems are enabling real-time tracking and enhancing visibility across the food supply chain, allowing stakeholders to identify and address bottlenecks or disruptions with greater efficiency.

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the food traceability market is marked by prominent global and regional players with the aim of improving market presence through technological advancements and strategic initiatives. Key players focus on developing integrated solutions based on blockchain, IoT, and cloud-based platforms to enhance transparency and compliance in supply chains. For example, in 2024, Cognex Corporation unveiled the In-Sight L38 3D Vision System that combined AI, 2D, and 3D technologies for inspection purposes. The technology enables combining 3D data into simplified 2D images with advanced detection and measurement capabilities. Collaborations and partnerships are among the major strategies involving technology providers, food manufacturers, and the regulatory body. Additionally, players have been investing in R&D to bring novel and scalable traceability solutions to industry players across different requirements of the various industries. This further heightens competition since the rising consumer demand for food safety along with strong global regulations are expected.

The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the food traceability market with detailed profiles of all major companies, including:

• Bar Code Integrators Inc.
• C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.
• Carlisle Technology
• Cognex Corporation
• FoodLogiQ
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Impinj Inc.
• International Business Machines Corporation
• MASS Group
• OPTEL Group
• SGS S.A.
• Zebra Technologies Corporation

Latest News and Developments:

• Jan 2024: SpartanNash has formed a strategic partnership with ReposiTrak to introduce an advanced traceability program aimed at enhancing supply chain safety and transparency. This initiative mandates that a significant number of suppliers involved in the harvesting or handling of products listed on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Traceability List provide traceability data to SpartanNash and its wholesale clients.
• May 2024: Chipotle has integrated Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags throughout its supply chain to enhance inventory management. This innovative use of smart barcode technology, which is widely adopted in retail, represents a novel application within the restaurant sector.
• June 2024: Bunge, a leading food and agribusiness company, and Bangkok Produce Merchandising Public Company Limited (BKP), a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited, jointly tested a traceability platform using blockchain technology for sustainable soy.
• September 2023: iFoodDS and IBM have introduced an advanced, tech-driven traceability solution designed to support companies across the food supply chain in complying with the FDA's Food Traceability Rule, FSMA 204(d). Leveraging decades of expertise in food traceability software, the iFoodDS Trace Exchange™ (powered by IBM Food Trust™) is engineered to meet the scalability requirements of large enterprises while addressing the needs of suppliers.

Food Traceability Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC's industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the food traceability market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global food traceability market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the food traceability industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.