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.

Let's face it, we're all busier than ever, and that's why Ready-to-Eat (RTE) foods are booming! Think about itthey're super convenient, easy to prepare, and there's just so much to choose from – everything from canned goods and frozen dinners to those instant noodles we all secretly love. The Food Standards Agency (FSA, UK) says RTE foods are basically anything you can eat right away without needing to cook or heat it up. We're talking biscuits, crisps, bread, pies, sandwiches, dairy, the works! The market's a whirlwind of new stuff constantly hitting the shelves, all designed to grab our attention with convenience, great prices, and that tempting look and texture. Plus, with more and more people moving to cities and lifestyles changing fast, we're all reaching for RTE foods because they're just so simple to prepare, store, and, most importantly, eat.

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.

Looking for a fast and simple dinner? You're not alone! Ready-to-eat foods are super popular because they're convenient and there's so much to choose from. In fact, ready-to-eat (RTE) meals are one of the most diverse parts of the whole ready-meal world. This is mostly because we all want easy-to-grab meals, and food delivery apps are so common now. Plus, with more people working in growing economies, work hours are longer and less predictable. So, we're seeing a shift away from cooking every day. RTE meals make life easier by cutting down on prep time, saving money, and reducing food waste. For working folks especially, RTE meals are becoming the go-to choice. They're just so easy!

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.

Okay, so a few things are holding back the market from really taking off. For starters, everyone's getting more worried about their health, and that's hitting the ready-to-eat (RTE) food market hard. Sure, these foods are super convenient, but people are starting to think twice about what they're putting into their bodies. You see, a lot of RTE meals are packed with preservatives, sodium, sugar, and not-so-good fats. Now, folks are actually reading those food labels and demanding healthier options! This means companies are under pressure to change their recipes and make things more nutritious. And get thisthe World Health Organization says that too much salt (which is often used in RTE foods) can lead to high blood pressure, a major risk factor for 57% of heart attacks and 40% of strokes. Yikes!

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

So, when we look at what's inside, the ready-to-eat food market breaks down into things like Vegetable Based (think fruits and salads!), Meat/Poultry (like cooked meats), Cereal Based, and, well, Others. Back in 2022, the vegetable-based stuff was the most popular. Why? Because veggies are super important for getting all those nutrients we need. They're packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other good-for-you stuff. The thing is, fresh veggies don't last long because they're full of water, which means they can go bad quickly. People want veggies that are fresh, healthy, easy to make, and not too processed. That’s why so many companies are selling ready-to-eat vegetable options – they’re appealing, fresh, and affordable!

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

When it comes to where you can buy them, ready-to-eat foods are mainly found in places like Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Specialty Stores, your local Convenience or Departmental Store, and of course, Online Stores. Back in 2022, Hypermarkets and Supermarkets were the most popular choice. Think about itthese places are massive! They've got everything from groceries to clothes, and they're a big deal for anyone wanting a quick meal. Usually located in cities, these stores boast tons of space, parking, and those handy self-checkout lanes. Because they offer convenience, tons of choices, easy access, and good prices, Hypermarkets and Supermarkets are super important for getting ready-to-eat goodies into our hands. They really help spread the word and make sure we can all find our favorite quick bites.

Ready-to-Cook Food Market, By Geography

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

Looking at things regionally, the Global Ready-to-Cook Food Market is divided up into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Interestingly, North America grabbed the biggest slice of the market pie in 2022. Seems North America is really leading the charge in terms of innovation and growth in the ready-to-eat food world, mostly because things are changing so much. You know, everyone's grabbing snacks and mini-meals these days, wanting something quick and easy to eat. People are also doing their homework, checking out different ready-to-eat food companies to find things that taste good and are healthy too. And the United States? It's the biggest and fastest-growing market in the region, with lots of people and cities, plus folks there are really looking for healthy, ready-to-eat options to help them stay well and fit!

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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