The mesh bags market size is expected to grow from US$ 1.6 billion in 2025 to US$ 2.2 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. Polypropylene (PP) is expected to lead the mesh bags market with a market share of 46.5% in 2025. The agricultural segment is expected to dominate the market with a market share of 58.2% in 2025.
The mesh bags market size is expected to grow from US$ 1.6 billion in 2025 to US$ 2.2 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period. Sales are expected to reach US$ 1.5 billion in 2024. The growth is driven by growing applications in produce, seafood, and firewood packaging that focus on airflow and product visibility.
Its reusability and cost-effectiveness are driving its growing use in retail and the agricultural sector. In addition, waste reduction regulations and support for innovation in biodegradable materials are also having a positive impact on demand forecasts in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
In 2023, Giro Pack introduced its cellulose mesh bags. Atlanta-based Giro Pack has been making mesh bags and the machines that make them for about 100 years. “While the company has changed over the decades as new technologies have emerged and customers and consumers have demonstrated a strong demand for sustainable packaging, we have never strayed from our core business,” said Jen Doxey, national sales manager.
“We were the first company to package fruit in mesh bags,” she said. Traditional plastic mesh bags still make up the bulk of the company’s products, but it has introduced a range of other options as customer demand for eco-friendly packaging grows.
Material innovation in mesh bag manufacturing has become a priority to meet strict packaging regulations and reduce reliance on multi-layer plastics. Biodegradable polymers and single-layer extrusions are incorporated into designs to ensure recyclability without sacrificing tensile strength or breathability.
Automation-compatible weaving technology is also being used to reduce labor requirements in large-scale manufacturing operations. Demand for compostable and plant-based substrates is growing as agricultural exporters adapt to national Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and plastic taxation. Packaging manufacturers continue to invest in research and development to meet various food contact and environmental standards around the world.
The market outlook remains positive as mesh bags continue to serve high-throughput industries such as citrus, onions and shellfish with robust performance levels. The market is expected to continue to grow as mechanization of produce sorting and packaging continues to increase, increasing demand for uniformity in package sizes.
Global regulatory trends favouring lightweight, recyclable and biodegradable solutions are likely to drive the transformation of materials over the next decade. Industry players are expected to continue investing in circular design strategies and closed-loop recycling systems to improve long-term competitiveness. Partnerships between retailers and packaging manufacturers are likely to further develop to achieve environmental and shelf life optimisation goals.
The market is segmented based on material type, bag type, end-use industry, and region. Based on material type, the market includes polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), cotton, jute, nylon, and biodegradable polymers, each offering unique strength, sustainability, and cost effectiveness.
The selection of these materials is based on specific application requirements, such as air permeability and strength. According to the type of bag, it can be divided into leno bags, raschel bags, tubular bags, drawstring mesh bags, flat mesh bags and printed mesh bags.
These types of bags are suitable for a variety of packaging, processing and branding purposes. End-use industries include agriculture, food and beverage, retail and supermarkets, industrial packaging, and laundry and home storage. Regions covered include North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Oceania, and the Middle East and Africa.
Polypropylene (PP) is expected to be the market leader in mesh bags and is expected to capture 46.5% of the market share by 2025 due to its lightweight, high strength, moisture resistance, and chemical resistance. PP is widely used in agricultural and industrial packaging due to its low production cost and recyclability. PP mesh bags are widely used for bulk packaging of agricultural products, firewood, and building materials that require ventilation and strength. These bags have good visibility, which reduces the risk of handling errors and damage during transportation.
Polypropylene mesh bags have a longer shelf life and higher strength properties over long supply chains compared to cotton or jute alternatives. The ability to customize bag color, weave, and strength makes polypropylene suitable for both automated and manual packaging systems. With the growing shift toward recyclable and durable packaging formats, polypropylene mesh bags are expected to maintain their market leadership in the high-volume end-use segment.
The agricultural industry is expected to dominate the mesh bag end-use market by 2025 with a projected market share of 58.2%, driven by the industry’s reliance on breathable and lightweight packaging for fresh produce and bulk goods. Mesh bags have been widely used for packaging onions, potatoes, citrus fruits, and shellfish. These bags help cool produce faster and reduce food spoilage, especially in shipping and storage environments where modern refrigeration equipment is not available. They have proven their ability to withstand heavy loads while providing ventilation, which is essential for maintaining food freshness.
Leno and tubular mesh bags made of PP or PET are widely used in regional and export packaging operations. Branding options and label compatibility provide added value to producers and distributors seeking traceability and visual marketing advantages. As global agricultural exports continue to grow and ventilation remains a key factor for perishable agricultural products, the agricultural sector is expected to continue to lead the way in mesh bag consumption.
The mesh bag market dominates in the US due to the growing demand for eco-friendly, breathable and cost-effective packaging solutions in the agriculture, food retail and consumer goods sectors.
The trend towards eco-friendly alternatives, coupled with strict regulations on plastic packaging waste, has catalysed innovation in reusable bags, biodegradable mesh bags and increased investment in AI-enabled automated manufacturing, high-strength polymer mesh and recyclable materials for improved durability and sustainability.
More investment is being made in sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing packaging waste and launching Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to promote the move towards compostable and recyclable mesh bag solutions.
The UK mesh bag market is growing steadily as companies look to sustainable packaging, comply with strict environmental regulations and consumers demand plastic-free alternatives. Growing emphasis on circular economy initiatives and plastic taxes have encouraged companies to invest in biodegradable mesh bag solutions as well as reusable or recyclable mesh bags.
Improved weaving technologies, reinforced fiber structures (for higher tensile strength) and moisture-resistant coatings are some of the innovations used to enhance the durability and usability of these mesh bags.
Innovations such as smart labels, digital printing and supply chain transparency are also helping to improve product traceability and consumer engagement. Emerging sustainable food packaging systems and reusable shopping bags are a boon to the UK mesh bag market.
The Japanese mesh bag market has seen steady growth in the country, driven by a desire for precision, high-quality manufacturing and sustainability in packaging. Demand for lightweight, breathable and reusable mesh bags for packaging food, seafood and personal care products continues to drive the development of new technologies.
High-strength mesh bags with antimicrobial coatings or UV-resistant materials are being developed, as well as biodegradable polymer blends for increased functionality and environmental friendliness.
In addition, Japan is pushing for eco-friendly retail packaging and reducing the use of single-use plastics, which has prompted manufacturers to adopt advanced fiber composition, AI-based defect detection, and water-based printing technology. Japan’s shift to smart packaging solutions for mesh bags, as well as RFID tracking and interactive branding, have further contributed to the rise in popularity of mesh bags in Japan.
The UK mesh bag market is growing steadily as companies look to sustainable packaging, comply with strict environmental regulations and consumers demand plastic-free alternatives. Growing emphasis on circular economy initiatives and plastic taxes have encouraged companies to invest in biodegradable mesh bag solutions as well as reusable or recyclable mesh bags.
Improved weaving technologies, reinforced fiber structures (for higher tensile strength) and moisture-resistant coatings are some of the innovations used to enhance the durability and usability of these mesh bags.
Innovations such as smart labels, digital printing and supply chain transparency are also helping to improve product traceability and consumer engagement. Emerging sustainable food packaging systems and reusable shopping bags are a boon to the UK mesh bag market.
The Japanese mesh bag market has seen steady growth in the country, driven by a desire for precision, high-quality manufacturing and sustainability in packaging. Demand for lightweight, breathable and reusable mesh bags for packaging food, seafood and personal care products continues to drive the development of new technologies.
High-strength mesh bags with antimicrobial coatings or UV-resistant materials are being developed, as well as biodegradable polymer blends for increased functionality and environmental friendliness.
In addition, Japan is pushing for eco-friendly retail packaging and reducing the use of single-use plastics, which has prompted manufacturers to adopt advanced fiber composition, AI-based defect detection, and water-based printing technology. Japan’s shift to smart packaging solutions for mesh bags, as well as RFID tracking and interactive branding, have further contributed to the rise in popularity of mesh bags in Japan.
Additionally, increased investment in sustainable packaging integration, circular economy initiatives and AI-powered production monitoring are improving product efficiency and expanding market opportunities.
Companies are also exploring hybrid packaging solutions, combining mesh bags with compostable materials, intelligent tracking features, and moisture-resistant coatings to improve usability. Additionally, collaboration between mesh bag manufacturers and the agricultural supply chain is driving the development of customized sustainable packaging solutions to meet the needs of different industries.
Growing demand from the food, agriculture and retail industries will drive market growth. Innovations in AI-based defect detection, biodegradable polymers and improvements in lightweight, breathable mesh packaging will further drive market expansion.
The main challenges include volatile raw material prices, challenges in recycling synthetic mesh materials, and manufacturing complexities. However, advances in compostable mesh bag technology, AI-based quality control, and water-resistant coatings are addressing these challenges and supporting market growth.
North America and Europe are expected to dominate the market due to heavy investment in sustainable packaging solutions, increasingly stringent environmental regulations and growing consumer demand for breathable and eco-friendly packaging. Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth driven by increasing industrialization, rising demand for fresh food packaging and increasing manufacturing capabilities.
Post time: Jul-08-2025