NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Size (2024 – 2030)

Estimations suggest that the NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market reached a valuation of USD 17.51 Billion in 2023 and is poised to attain USD 51.65 Billion by 2030, with a robust CAGR of 16.71% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.

The integration of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) into the food and beverage sector has revolutionized the assessment of food authenticity. NGS's untargeted technique enables precise identification of diverse species within samples.

Annual losses exceeding USD 15 billion in the food industry are attributed to food theft. The complexity of the food supply chain poses challenges to the capabilities of analytical tools employed for ingredient traceability. Identification of species in food and feed samples is imperative for authenticity verification, raw material traceability, and quality control in food manufacturing lines. Adoption of a streamlined NGS approach, featuring readily available kits for DNA extraction and library preparation, shows considerable promise in addressing conventional food testing challenges.

In addition to conventional culturing and PCR-based identification methods, NGS-based techniques and sample characterization processes like taxonomic profiling of bacterial populations and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) of isolates are gaining traction. Advanced food quality testing laboratories are now equipped with portable devices from Oxford Nanopore, as well as desktop sequencing systems from Ion Torrent or Illumina.

Research teams at international dairy firms are utilizing QIAGEN CLC Genomics Workbench in conjunction with Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology to conduct whole metagenome shotgun analyses on dairy products, aiming to establish a baseline for a "normal" microbiome community and detect deviations indicative of food spoilage.

Global NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Drivers:

Technological advancements are propelling the growth of the NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market.

The introduction of new technologies by major market players has conferred a competitive edge. Market participants are intensifying their research and development endeavors to introduce innovative products. Prominent platforms in the market include PromethION (Oxford Nanopore Technologies), Ion Torrent Genexus Dx Integrated Sequencer (Thermo Fisher), iSeq 100 (Illumina), and Ion GeneStudio S5 System (Thermo Fisher).

Increasing knowledge in human genetics drives the demand for the NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market.

Factors such as declining sequencing costs, expanding human genetics knowledge, the rise of targeted therapies, improved genomic data management, and the technical and financial advantages of NGS over traditional testing methods in food laboratories contribute to market growth.

Global NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Challenges:

In underdeveloped nations, external sources primarily fund academic research and development (R&D). Despite efforts by public and commercial entities to provide research funding globally, many academic and research institutions encounter financial constraints in procuring and utilizing cutting-edge, costly equipment and technology. Consequently, academic and research institutions in underdeveloped regions face challenges in establishing or expanding advanced research facilities, impeding the adoption of technologies like NGS in Asian and African countries.

Global NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Opportunities:

Advancements in sequencing technologies and deeper insights into genetics have heightened the efficacy of biomarkers in disease identification. Governments worldwide are expected to make substantial investments in genome sciences, fostering future demand for NGS in such applications. Accurate diagnosis and personalized medicine not only enhance survival rates but also alleviate the financial burden on national health insurance schemes.

COVID-19 Impact on Global NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market:

Increased consumer awareness regarding food safety and the prevalence of foodborne illnesses have positively influenced the food safety testing industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Stringent food safety regulations are being enforced to ensure a safer food supply, impacting consumers, industry players, and regulators alike.

However, some laboratories have had to partially or entirely close due to lockdown measures and other pandemic-related mandates, leading to a global decrease in testing volume. Moreover, disruptions in raw material transportation resulting from supply chain disruptions have posed challenges to market expansion during the pandemic.

Global NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Recent Developments:

• In October 2022, Illumina (US) and GenoScreen (France) collaborated to expand genetic testing availability for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in regions heavily impacted by the disease.
• In the same month, Illumina (US) and AstraZeneca (UK) initiated a strategic research partnership aimed at enhancing the efficacy of pharmaceutical pipelines by leveraging the capability to identify genetic variants associated with human diseases.
• September 2022 saw Thermo Fisher Scientific (US) receiving FDA approval for the Oncomine Dx Target Test. This approval marked a milestone as the first NGS-based companion diagnostic to assist individuals with RET Mutations/Fusions in thyroid malignancies in selecting appropriate medication.

NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Segmentation: By Product

• Equipment
• Supplies & Attachments

The segment of NGS consumables, which dominated the revenue share in 2021, is expected to maintain its lead throughout the forecast period. Technological advancements in NGS workflows have led to an increased demand for sophisticated pre-sequencing tools and kits, facilitating target enrichment, DNA fragmentation, size selection, and other pre-sequencing procedures.

Moreover, the revenue of this segment is anticipated to be fueled by the frequent utilization and procurement rate of consumables necessary for sequencing specific samples. Conversely, due to the continual introduction of new platforms to expedite the sequencing process, instruments are expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Global NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Segmentation: By Application

• Meat
• Poultry
• Seafood
• Dairy Products
• Processed Food
• Other Foods

The demand for processed food is on the rise due to evolving lifestyles and expanding populations. Increased income levels, particularly in emerging economies, contribute to higher expenditure on processed food. Rapid urbanization has led to the proliferation of modern retail formats promoting processed goods. These factors are propelling the utilization of NGS-based food screening for processed food, capturing the major share of this market.

Dairy products are also poised to hold a significant revenue share in the forthcoming years. Additionally, the accessibility of dairy products has been facilitated by modern retail facilities and cold chain logistics, further driving growth.

Global NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa
• South America

The largest revenue share in the market is anticipated to come from North America (including the US, Canada, and Mexico). The regional market is driven by numerous clinical laboratories employing NGS for testing services. Furthermore, key players in North America are innovating and launching new products, fostering market expansion.

Increased production in the North American food sector is also boosting the market. Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses are linked to the substantial market in North America. To ensure food safety and support the market, every stage of food manufacturing and processing must adhere to rigorous food safety testing procedures. Microbiological and GMO testing are the most commonly used tests in this domain. The enforcement of stringent food safety regulations, such as a zero-tolerance policy for Listeria infection, has fueled the growth of food safety testing. In the US, GMO testing follows microbial testing as the most common type.

Conversely, due to the growing demand for NGS and increased public awareness, Asia-Pacific is expected to emerge as a lucrative revenue source throughout the forecast period. A major market driver is the rising demand for pathogen testing, particularly in the meat and poultry industries. Furthermore, advancements in information and communication technology have tightened the regulatory framework for food safety, bolstering the market for food safety testing.

China is anticipated to dominate the Asia Pacific NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market. Increased awareness and understanding of NGS technology among the Chinese research community are expected to drive revenue growth in this region.

Global NGS-based Food Safety Screening & Testing Market Key Players:

1. Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
2. Eurofins Genomics
3. SGS SA
4. Clear Labs, Inc.
5. Illumina, Inc.
6. QIAGEN
7. Oxford Nanopore Technologies
8. Integrated DNA Technologies
9. Neogen
10. Agilent Technologies, Inc.