Market overview
The global sauerkraut market is worth USD 2.7 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 4.2 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.5% CAGR. Germany is the largest country market and Jars and glass is the largest by packaging segment.
| Scope | Fermented shredded cabbage sold as sauerkraut in jars, cans, pouches and fresh refrigerated packs, to retail, foodservice and industrial buyers. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 2.6 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 2.7 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 4.2 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 1,914,109 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 2,691,013 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,419 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Sauerkraut market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 2.7 bn |
| 2027 | USD 2.8 bn |
| 2028 | USD 3.0 bn |
| 2029 | USD 3.1 bn |
| 2030 | USD 3.2 bn |
| 2031 | USD 3.4 bn |
| 2032 | USD 3.5 bn |
| 2033 | USD 3.7 bn |
| 2034 | USD 3.9 bn |
| 2035 | USD 4.0 bn |
| 2036 | USD 4.2 bn |
Sauerkraut market segmentation
By packaging
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jars and glass | 34.0% | 31.3% | USD 924 mn | 3.6% |
| Cans | 24.0% | 19.1% | USD 652 mn | 2.1% |
| Pouches and pillow packs | 18.0% | 20.1% | USD 489 mn | 5.6% |
| Fresh and refrigerated tubs | 16.0% | 22.5% | USD 435 mn | 8.1% |
| Bulk and barrels | 8.0% | 7.0% | USD 217 mn | 3.1% |
By channel
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets and hypermarkets | 56.0% | 49.7% | USD 1.5 bn | 3.3% |
| Foodservice | 20.0% | 19.5% | USD 543 mn | 4.2% |
| Specialty and natural food stores | 12.0% | 14.8% | USD 326 mn | 6.7% |
| Online | 7.0% | 11.9% | USD 190 mn | 10.2% |
| Industrial and other | 5.0% | 4.0% | USD 136 mn | 2.3% |
By processing
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasteurised | 52.0% | 50.0% | USD 1.4 bn | 4.1% |
| Raw fermented | 28.0% | 32.0% | USD 761 mn | 5.9% |
| Heat-sterilised | 20.0% | 18.0% | USD 543 mn | 3.4% |
By recipe
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional plain | 60.0% | 52.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 3.0% |
| Spiced and flavoured | 24.0% | 28.0% | USD 652 mn | 6.1% |
| Mixed vegetable and kimchi-style | 16.0% | 20.0% | USD 435 mn | 6.9% |
By brand type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private label | 38.0% | 38.0% | USD 1.0 bn | 4.5% |
| Established brands | 44.0% | 42.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 4.0% |
| Craft and organic | 18.0% | 20.0% | USD 489 mn | 5.6% |
Top 25 countries for sauerkraut by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 70.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.0%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germany | USD 598 mn | 22.0% | USD 890 mn | 4.1% |
| 2 | United States | USD 380 mn | 14.0% | USD 654 mn | 5.6% |
| 3 | Poland | USD 217 mn | 8.0% | USD 325 mn | 4.1% |
| 4 | Russia | USD 190 mn | 7.0% | USD 270 mn | 3.6% |
| 5 | France | USD 109 mn | 4.0% | USD 160 mn | 4.0% |
| 6 | Czech Republic | USD 95 mn | 3.5% | USD 143 mn | 4.2% |
| 7 | United Kingdom | USD 95 mn | 3.5% | USD 156 mn | 5.1% |
| 8 | Netherlands | USD 82 mn | 3.0% | USD 122 mn | 4.2% |
| 9 | Austria | USD 68 mn | 2.5% | USD 101 mn | 4.1% |
| 10 | Canada | USD 68 mn | 2.5% | USD 118 mn | 5.7% |
| 11 | Ukraine | USD 68 mn | 2.5% | USD 184 mn | 10.5% |
| 12 | Belarus | USD 68 mn | 2.5% | USD 123 mn | 6.1% |
| 13 | Romania | USD 67 mn | 2.5% | USD 95 mn | 3.6% |
| 14 | Hungary | USD 55 mn | 2.0% | USD 78 mn | 3.6% |
| 15 | Slovakia | USD 47 mn | 1.7% | USD 67 mn | 3.6% |
| 16 | Serbia | USD 42 mn | 1.5% | USD 59 mn | 3.6% |
| 17 | Sweden | USD 37 mn | 1.4% | USD 53 mn | 3.5% |
| 18 | Switzerland | USD 34 mn | 1.2% | USD 48 mn | 3.6% |
| 19 | Denmark | USD 31 mn | 1.1% | USD 44 mn | 3.6% |
| 20 | Belgium | USD 29 mn | 1.1% | USD 41 mn | 3.6% |
| 21 | Lithuania | USD 27 mn | 1.0% | USD 38 mn | 3.5% |
| 22 | Latvia | USD 25 mn | 0.9% | USD 36 mn | 3.6% |
| 23 | Finland | USD 24 mn | 0.9% | USD 34 mn | 3.5% |
| 24 | Bulgaria | USD 23 mn | 0.8% | USD 32 mn | 3.6% |
| 25 | Croatia | USD 21 mn | 0.8% | USD 30 mn | 3.5% |
| Rest of world | USD 218 mn | 8.0% | USD 317 mn | 3.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Hengstenberg
- Bonduelle
- Kuhne
- Seneca Foods
- Great Lakes Kraut Company
- Orkla Foods
- Hame
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Eden Foods
- Bubbies
- Cleveland Kitchen
- Real Pickles
- Sonoma Brinery
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Wildbrine
- Farmhouse Culture
- Cultured Pickle Shop
- Hortex
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the sauerkraut market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by packaging, by channel, by processing, by recipe, by brand type. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the sauerkraut market?
The global sauerkraut market is estimated at USD 2.6 bn in 2025 and USD 2.7 bn in 2026.
How fast will the sauerkraut market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 4.2 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 1.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for sauerkraut?
Germany is the largest market by revenue at USD 598 mn in 2026, 22.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 44.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, Canada is growing fastest at 5.7% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which sauerkraut segment is largest?
In the by packaging split, Jars and glass is the largest segment with 34.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading sauerkraut companies?
Global leaders include Hengstenberg, Bonduelle, Kuhne, Seneca Foods.
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