Spain’s food preservation‑card market is propelled by strong consumer demand for processed, ready‑to‑eat foods and urban convenience living, which underpin the rising use of antimicrobial and antioxidant preservatives to extend shelf life This growth is further driven by increased awareness of food safety regulations across the EU and Spain’s rising food exports. However, the market faces restraints from shifting consumer preferences toward fresh, minimally processed and synthetic‑free foods, limiting adoption of conventional preservative systems . On the opportunity front, manufacturers are innovating with natural, clean‑label preservation methods such as plant extracts, bio preservation and fermentation‑derived antimicrobials and integrating advanced packaging technologies to reduce waste and support sustainability goals. A clear trend is the shift from chemical to clean‑label/natural preservatives, matching consumer demand and regulatory scrutiny