A new report on the food colors market, combining market expertise from Mintel and Leatherhead Food Research, showed that the value of natural colors has overtaken that of artificial/synthetic colors on a global scale for the first time. In 2011, global sales of natural colors amounted to an estimated $600 million, up by almost 29% from 2007 and demonstrating annual growth in excess of 7%. The share of the total food colors market taken by natural varieties has increased from just more than a third (34%) in 2007 to nearly 39% in 2011. In contrast, growth within the artificial/synthetic colors market has been more modest, with value sales increasing by less than 4% between 2007 and 2011. The segment is now worth an estimated $570 million, which is equivalent to 37% of the overall market (compared to 40% in 2007).

The food industry alone accounts for a 70% share of the natural food colors market compared to 27% for soft drinks and just 3% for alcoholic beverages, according to the Mintel and Leatherhead Food Research report. Furthermore, according to the research, the use of natural colors in new launches of food and drinks outweighs the use of artificial/synthetic colors by 2:1 on a global basis. Overall, the global market for food colors was worth an estimated $1.55 billion in 2011. This represents growth of 13% from 2007. The report predicts that the trend toward greater use of natural colors will continue, especially within premium food and drink segments and in products positioned for children.