Japan Food Thickeners Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Protein, Starch, Hydrocolloids, and Others), By Source (Animal, Plant, Microbial, and Marine), and Japan Food Thickeners Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

Japan Food Thickeners Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Food Thickeners Market Size Was Estimated at USD 362.04 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of Around 7.35% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Food Thickeners Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 789.98 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The Japan Food Thickeners Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 789.98 Million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.35% from 2025 to 2035. The Japan food thickeners market is driven by various factors, including rising demand for processed and convenience foods, rising awareness about health and wellness, and regulatory support for food safety and quality.

Market Overview

Food thickeners are also known as thickening agents. The compounds that make a liquid or combination more viscous without substantially changing its other characteristics, such as flavor, are called food thickeners. The Japan food thickener market refers to the production, distribution, and sale of thickening agents used in food and beverage products to improve their viscosity and texture. These ingredients are essential to enhance the stability, mouthfeel, and overall quality of various food items. They are commonly used in a variety of applications, including soups, sauces, dressings, and desserts, to improve their texture and consistency. Food thickeners appear to have a bright future because of developments in plant-based and natural thickeners that satisfy consumer demand for more sustainable and healthful options. Additionally, multipurpose thickeners with additional advantages like increased shelf life and nutritional value are being produced as a consequence of advancements in food technology. Japan has a fast-paced lifestyle, hence people's demand for food products that are ready to eat and require minimal preparation is one of the key driving factors for this market. The rising demand for natural and lean label ingredients is a key trend in this market. The people are becoming conscious, which is a potential opportunity for growth through the development of new natural and thickening agents.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan food thickeners market based on various segments and regions, and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Japan food thickeners market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition, have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub segment of the Japan food thickeners market.

Driving Factors

The rise in fast paced lifestyles, particularly in urban areas, has led to increased consumption of ready to eat meals and processed foods, which is one of the primary driving factors for this market. A major growth driver is the rise in health-conscious consumers in Japan. The demand for gluten free and low carb diets is increasing. This trend has boosted the use of alternative thickening agents like xanthan gum and guar gum in food products. Additionally, technological advancements play an important role in market growth.

Restraining Factors

The fluctuating prices of raw materials such as maize and cassava pose difficulties for manufacturers of food thickeners. Economic and climate change-related variables can raise prices, which affect consumer pricing and business profitability. Additionally, strict food safety regulations further limit the market expansion.

Market Segmentation

The Japan food thickeners market share is classified into type and source.

• The hydrocolloids segment held the dominant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.  

The Japan food thickeners market is segmented by type into protein, starch, hydrocolloids, and others. Among these, the hydrocolloids segment held the dominant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to rising consumer preferences for natural and clean label ingredients. Additionally, the adaptability of hydrocolloids in various applications, such as dairy products and sauces, encourages the food thickening sector to utilise them more widely.

• The plant segment held the highest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan food thickeners market is segmented by source into animal, plant, microbial, and marine. Among these, the plant segment held the highest share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to rising preferences for natural and plant-based ingredients. Additionally, the rising popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets contributes to the food thickeners market growth.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan food thickeners market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Cargill Japan GK
• Ingredion Japan K.K.
• San Ei Gen F.F.I. Inc.
• Morita Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.
• Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
• Ikeda Tohka Industries Co., Ltd.
• Tsuruya Chemical Industries Ltd.
• Mitsui DM Sugar Co. Ltd.
• Nagase & Co. Ltd.
• Other

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at Japan, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the Japan food thickeners market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Food Thickeners Market, By Type

• Protein
• Starch
• Hydrocolloids
• Others

Japan Food Thickeners Market, By Source

• Animal
• Plant
• Microbial
• Marine