Global Ready-to-Cook Food Market Size By Type (Meat/Poultry (Cooked), Cereal Based), By Packaging Type (Canned, Frozen/Chilled), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarket/Supermarket, Specialty Stores), By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Ready-to-Cook Food Market Size And Forecast

Ready-to-Cook Food Market size was valued at USD 172.56 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 291.56 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.83% from 2024 to 2030.

The Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food market has increased in popularity due to its convenience, ease of preparation, and diverse variety of options, including canned and frozen foods, and instant and preserved items. According to the Food Standards Agency (FSA, UK), RTE products are foods that can be consumed immediately without further heating or processing and include biscuits, crisps, bread, pies, sandwiches, dairy products, and more. This market has changed dramatically, with new goods regularly entering the market to meet consumer demands for convenience, value, appealing appearance, and texture. Furthermore, as urbanization, cultural changes, and socioeconomic changes accelerate, customers are increasingly adopting RTE items for their simplicity of preparation, storage, and consumption.

Global Ready-to-Cook Food Market Definition

Ready-to-eat (RTE) foods are pre-packaged or prepared meals that require little to no cooking or additional preparation before eating. These foods are intended to be convenient and time-saving, catering to people with busy schedules or those who lack the desire or time to prepare. RTE foods come in a variety of forms, including frozen meals, canned goods, pre-cut fruits and vegetables, salads, sandwiches, and snacks. They come in a variety of sizes, from single-serving quantities to family-sized packages, and are frequently meant to have a longer shelf life by preservation techniques such as freezing, canning, or vacuum sealing.

Ready-to-eat foods are popular among consumers looking for quick and easy meal options due to their convenience and variety. Ready-to-eat (RTE) meals are one of the most diversified categories of the global ready-meal market. This can be attributed to changing consumer expectations for convenient cuisine and the popularity of food delivery apps. The number of individuals working in emerging economies has increased dramatically, accompanied by longer and more unpredictable working hours. This resulted in a progressive movement away from the traditional daily cooking model and provided ease to the consumer by reducing preparation time, making it more inexpensive, and causing less spoilage. RTE meals are increasingly the preferred alternative for working persons.

Global Ready-to-Cook Food Market Overview

In today’s fast-paced world, when time is frequently a valuable commodity, people are increasingly looking for quick and simple food options that fit into their hectic schedules. The need for on-the-go solutions that require little preparation is consistent with the demands of a time-constrained lifestyle. This shift in consumer behavior has had a significant impact on the growth and expansion of the ready-to-eat food sector. Sales of frozen foods have increased during the last four years. Frozen foods provide a simple and time-saving solution for a busy lifestyle while also retaining the food’s quality and freshness for an extended period.

There are several factors that can have a negative impact on the market growth. The increasing health concerns are causing significant restraint on the ready-to-eat (RTE) food market. While convenience is a main driver of their appeal, consumers’ health-consciousness has resulted in a shift in preferences that puts into question some features of the ready-to-eat food sector. Ready-to-eat foods tend to be rich in preservatives, sodium, sugar, and harmful fats. Health-conscious customers are scrutinizing food labels more than ever, creating a demand for healthier alternatives. Manufacturers face pressure to reformulate products to fulfill increased nutritional demand. According to the World Health Organization, high blood pressure, which is caused by the excessive salt content often used as a component and preservative in ready-to-eat meals, is a known risk factor for 57% of heart attacks and 40% of strokes.

The RTE food market has a positive future outlook due to the increased demand for healthy and organic ready-to-eat (RTE) food has generated huge opportunities for the food industry. Consumers are increasingly looking for nutritional, natural, and organic alternatives, motivated by concerns about health, sustainability, and environmental impact. They are increasingly placing their health and well-being first, looking for food that nourishes their bodies while also reflecting their values. This is resulting in an increased desire for RTE options that are packed with fresh ingredients, free of artificial additives, and high in nutrients.

Global Ready-to-Cook Food MarketSegmentation Analysis

The Global Ready-to-Cook Food Market is segmented based on Type, Packaging Type, Distribution Channel, and Geography.

Ready-to-Cook Food Market, By Type

• Vegetable Based (Fruits, Salads)
• Meat/Poultry (Cooked)
• Cereal Based
• Others

Based on Type, the market is segmented into Vegetable Based (Fruits, Salads), Meat/Poultry (Cooked), Cereal Based, and Others. The vegetable-based segment held the largest market share in 2022. Vegetables serve an essential function in meeting consumer nutritional requirements. It contains high levels of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and other key bioactive substances. Fresh vegetables are very perishable due to their high moisture content and water activity, which promotes microbial growth. Consumers seek fresh, healthful, easy-to-prepare, and minimally processed veggies, which are met by numerous immediate ready-to-eat food manufacturing sectors that sell these goods due to their attractiveness, freshness, and cost-effectiveness.

Ready-to-Cook Food Market, By Packaging Type

• Canned
• Frozen/Chilled
• Retort
• Others

Based on Packaging Type, the market is segmented into Canned, Frozen/Chilled, Retort, and Others. The canned segment held the largest market share in 2022. Canned ready-to-eat meals are pre-cooked, preserved foods that can be consumed directly from the can without further cooking or preparation. These meals are easy, time-saving, and have a long shelf life, making them popular among busy people, campers, hikers, and military personnel. Canned packing preserves food by processing it and sealing it in an airtight container.

Ready-to-Cook Food Market, By Distribution Channel

• Hypermarket/Supermarket
• Specialty Stores
• Convenience Stores/Departmental Stores
• Online Stores

Based on Distribution Channel, the market is segmented into Hypermarket/Supermarket, Specialty Stores, Convenience Stores/Departmental Stores, and Online Stores. The hypermarket/supermarket segment held the largest market share in 2022. Hypermarkets and supermarkets are huge retail facilities with a wide range of products and play an essential role in the ready-to-eat food industry. These large-scale enterprises are typically located in cities and have plenty of floor space, parking, and self-service checkout technologies. Hypermarkets and supermarkets, as the key distribution channels for ready-to-eat food products, provide customers with convenience, variety, accessibility, and pricing. Furthermore, hypermarkets and supermarkets emerge as important players in this ecosystem, assisting with the distribution and promotion of ready-to-eat food products.

Ready-to-Cook Food Market, By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• The Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Based on Regional Analysis, the Global Ready-to-Cook Food Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America accounted for the largest market share in 2022. The North American ready-to-eat food market is at the forefront of innovation and expansion, fueled by a changing landscape. This expansion is being driven by the growing popularity of on-the-go food items, such as snacks and mini-meals, which reflects the demand for portable and easily accessible dining options. Consumers are researching several ready-to-eat food companies to locate goods that meet their taste preferences and nutritional requirements. The United States is the region’s largest and fastest-growing market, with a high per capita income and urbanization rate, and consumers are increasingly seeking nutritious ready-to-eat food options that align with their wellness goals.

Key Players

The “Global Ready-to-Cook Food Market” study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market including some of the major players are General Mills Inc., Conagra Brands, Inc., ITC Limited, Orkla, Bakkavor Group, Nomad Food Project, Premier Foods, Greencore Group plc, 2 Sisters Food Group, McCain Foods Limited among others.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with Coating Type benchmarking and SWOT analysis.

Key Developments

• In September 2022, McCain Foods acquired Netherlands-based Scelta Products. This acquisition will boost the company’s position in preparing frozen appetizers.
• In August 2022, General Mills Inc. launched prepared meal kits under the Betty Crocker, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, and Annie’s Organic brands. It offers users completely prepared, ready-to-eat meal options for basic handmade cuisine.
• In March 2021, General Mills, a US food manufacturer, launched ready-to-eat cookies based on its baking brand Pillsbury for the first time. Pillsbury’s Soft Baked Cookies will come in four flavorschocolate chip, confetti sugar with drizzled frosting, and peanut butter with chocolate drizzle.

Report Scope

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