From frozen dinners in the US to bento boxes in Japan, the global ready meals industry is cooking up a staggering $172 billion feast, transforming how the world eats on the go.
Key Takeaways
- The global ready meals market size was valued at USD 172.16 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 267.58 billion by 2030
- In Europe, the ready meals sector generated €25.6 billion in retail sales value in 2022, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021
- The US ready-to-eat meals market reached $14.5 billion in 2023, with frozen ready meals accounting for 52% of the total value
- In 2023, 45% of US consumers aged 25-34 purchased ready meals weekly, compared to 28% of those over 55
- 62% of working mothers in the UK buy ready meals at least once a week for family dinners in 2023
- Globally, 38% of millennials prefer plant-based ready meals, rising from 25% in 2020
- Europe saw 12.5 billion units of ready meals sold in 2022, with chilled segment leading at 42%
- US frozen ready meal sales volume hit 1.8 billion units in 2023, up 7% YoY
- China produced over 5 billion ready meal packs in 2023, 60% for domestic e-commerce
- 35% of ready meals in EU contain over 20% sodium by weight, exceeding WHO guidelines by 50%
- US ready meals average 650 calories per serving in 2023, with 28% from saturated fats
- In UK, 42% of chilled ready meals provide less than 30% daily vegetable requirement
- North America holds 28% of global ready meals market share in 2023, led by US at 22%
- Asia-Pacific ready meals market grew 9.2% in 2023, fastest regionally, valued at $85B
- Europe accounts for 35% of premium ready meals sales globally in 2023
The ready meal industry is booming globally, driven by convenience and strong demand.
Consumer Demographics and Preferences
- In 2023, 45% of US consumers aged 25-34 purchased ready meals weekly, compared to 28% of those over 55
- 62% of working mothers in the UK buy ready meals at least once a week for family dinners in 2023
- Globally, 38% of millennials prefer plant-based ready meals, rising from 25% in 2020
- In France, 55% of urban consumers choose premium ready meals priced over €5 per serving
- 71% of single-person households in Germany rely on ready meals for 3+ meals per week in 2023
- Among US Gen Z, 48% prioritize convenience over taste in ready meal purchases, per 2023 survey
- In India, 65% of Tier-1 city professionals aged 20-35 consume ready meals daily
- 52% of Australian consumers over 50 now buy healthier ready meal options weekly, up 15% since 2020
- Canadian survey shows 40% of low-income households use ready meals as primary protein source
- In South Korea, 67% of office workers aged 25-40 prefer kimbap-style ready meals for lunch
Consumer Demographics and Preferences Interpretation
While the young fuel the fast-paced engine of the ready meal economy, the older generation is cautiously boarding the train, and everyone in between is just trying to find a seat that suits their dietary, financial, and utterly human need for a moment of peace in their day.
Market Size and Revenue
- The global ready meals market size was valued at USD 172.16 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 267.58 billion by 2030
- In Europe, the ready meals sector generated €25.6 billion in retail sales value in 2022, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021
- The US ready-to-eat meals market reached $14.5 billion in 2023, with frozen ready meals accounting for 52% of the total value
- China's ready meals market expanded to RMB 400 billion in 2023, driven by urban working professionals
- The UK ready meals industry sales hit £3.2 billion in 2023, up 5.8% year-over-year
- Global ready meals market projected to reach $250 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2023
- India's RTE food market valued at INR 1,200 crore in 2023, expected to grow at 20% CAGR to 2028
- Australia ready meals market size was AUD 2.1 billion in 2022, with 6% annual growth forecasted
- Brazil's ready-to-eat meals sector reached BRL 15 billion in 2023, up 8.3% from prior year
- Japan convenience food market, including ready meals, valued at JPY 8.5 trillion in 2023
- The global ready meals market size was valued at USD 172.16 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 267.58 billion by 2030
- In Europe, the ready meals sector generated €25.6 billion in retail sales value in 2022, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021
- The US ready-to-eat meals market reached $14.5 billion in 2023, with frozen ready meals accounting for 52% of the total value
- China's ready meals market expanded to RMB 400 billion in 2023, driven by urban working professionals
- The UK ready meals industry sales hit £3.2 billion in 2023, up 5.8% year-over-year
- Global ready meals market projected to reach $250 billion by 2028 at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2023
- India's RTE food market valued at INR 1,200 crore in 2023, expected to grow at 20% CAGR to 2028
- Australia ready meals market size was AUD 2.1 billion in 2022, with 6% annual growth forecasted
- Brazil's ready-to-eat meals sector reached BRL 15 billion in 2023, up 8.3% from prior year
- Japan convenience food market, including ready meals, valued at JPY 8.5 trillion in 2023
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
The global obsession with convenience is being microwaved into a quarter-trillion-dollar industry, proving that time is not just money, it’s also tonight’s dinner.
Nutritional and Health Data
- 35% of ready meals in EU contain over 20% sodium by weight, exceeding WHO guidelines by 50%
- US ready meals average 650 calories per serving in 2023, with 28% from saturated fats
- In UK, 42% of chilled ready meals provide less than 30% daily vegetable requirement
- Global average protein content in ready meals rose to 18g per serving in 2023 from 15g in 2019
- 55% of Indian ready meals fortified with vitamins A and D, mandatory since 2022
- French ready meals average 2.5g fiber per 100g, below 3g national target
- 22% of Canadian ready meals labeled gluten-free in 2023, up from 10% in 2020
- Japan ready meals contain average 800mg sodium per serving, 20% reduction since 2015
- 48% of Australian ready meals exceed 10g sugar per serving in 2023
- Brazil ready meals average 25% daily calorie needs per portion, with 15% from veggies
Nutritional and Health Data Interpretation
While we're sneaking in some extra protein and slapping on a few mandatory vitamins, the global ready meal industry remains a masterclass in strategic health-washing, expertly dishing out our daily convenience wrapped in a generous side of salt, sugar, and empty calories.
Production and Sales Volume
- Europe saw 12.5 billion units of ready meals sold in 2022, with chilled segment leading at 42%
- US frozen ready meal sales volume hit 1.8 billion units in 2023, up 7% YoY
- China produced over 5 billion ready meal packs in 2023, 60% for domestic e-commerce
- UK ready meals sales volume grew to 950 million units in 2023, microwaveable at 55%
- Global ready meals production capacity exceeded 20 billion units annually in 2023
- India's ready-to-cook pouch sales reached 300 million units in FY2023, CAGR 25%
- Brazil exported 150 million units of ready meals in 2023, mainly to US and EU
- Japan manufactured 2.2 billion bento boxes as ready meals in 2023
- Average ready meal serving size in US increased to 450g in 2023 from 400g in 2020
- Australia produced 120 million ready meal trays in 2023, 30% organic certified
Production and Sales Volume Interpretation
The world's relentless hunger for convenience is being served one precooked tray at a time, proving that while we may have lost the art of simmering, we've mastered the science of the beep.
Regional Market Insights
- North America holds 28% of global ready meals market share in 2023, led by US at 22%
- Asia-Pacific ready meals market grew 9.2% in 2023, fastest regionally, valued at $85B
- Europe accounts for 35% of premium ready meals sales globally in 2023
- Middle East ready meals market reached $12B in 2023, CAGR 8% driven by UAE/Saudi
- Latin America saw 15% growth in ready meals per capita consumption 2020-2023
- Africa ready meals market valued at $5.5B in 2023, South Africa 40% share
- In Scandinavia, ready meals penetration rate is 75% of households weekly in 2023
- Southeast Asia ready meals e-commerce sales hit $10B in 2023, 40% of total
- Russia ready meals market $8B in 2023, 12% growth despite sanctions
Regional Market Insights Interpretation
America holds the crown for now, but the frantic, sauce-splashed growth in Asia-Pacific proves the world's appetite for a quick meal is a race where the fork is mightily outpacing the knife.
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