Frozen Meat Market Size, Demand, and Trends Analysis

Frozen Meat Market Dynamics, Key Players and Strategies

The global frozen meat market size was estimated at USD 94.55 billion in 2024 and is expected to rise from USD 97.58 billion in 2025 to nearly reaching USD 129.56 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 3.20% from 2025 to 2034. Increasing net income in developing nations is enabling consumers to spend more on food items, such as frozen meat, which is driving their demand in the market.

Key Highlights

• By region, Asia Pacific led the global market with the largest market share of 35% in 2024 fostered by growing worldwide meat consumption due to factors such as population growth and urban development. 
• By region, North America expects significant growth in the market during the forecast period, increasing need for convenient ready-to-eat food driven and bustling lifestyles is boosting the market. 
• By product, the beef segment contributed the largest market share of 34% in 2024. The demand for frozen beef is increasing because of higher public welfare, growing population, land alterations, dietary changes. 
• By product, the chicken segment is seen to grow at a notable rate during the predicted timeframe. Increased awareness of frozen chicken as a nutritious and affordable protein source driving the market.
• By distribution channel, supermarkets and hypermarkets segment held the dominating share of the frozen meat market in 2024. Growth is propelled by diverse selection offered and the ease of buying all grocery items.
• By distribution channel, online segment is predicted to grow at the remarkable CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period due to easy availability without going to the stores. 

A Growing Trend in Convenience and Quality

Frozen meat lasts longer than fresh meat and decreases the chances of foodborne illness. Moreover, it is frequently reduced in fat and calories in comparison to fresh meat, which is sought after by a substantial consumer market. Rising demand for various types of meats with the yearning of the culinary experiences increasing the frozen meat market.  

Moreover, the rising appeal of fast food and quick-service eateries has also played a role in the expansion of the frozen meat industry. Frozen meat products serve as an essential component in numerous fast-food dishes and are consequently sought after by the fast-food sector. Increasing demand for organic frozen meat expanding the frozen meat market as the consumers are becoming more health conscious and looking for organic, clean label and natural without preservatives food.  

• For instance, in June 2024, Applegate Farms, LLC, a leader in the natural and organic meat industry, announced the launch of two new organic pepperoni varieties for expansion of its 100% natural1 pepperoni which included APPLEGATE ORGANICS® Uncured Pork & Beef Pepperoni and APPLEGATE ORGANICS® Uncured Turkey Pepperoni. These new options are the first organic pepperoni choices available nationally, now offered at Sprouts and Whole Foods Markets across the country. 

Frozen Meat Market Trends

• Innovations in freezing and storage methods have significantly influenced the worldwide market for frozen meat. Certain innovative thawing methods improve thawing efficiency by subjecting the meat to energy fields, which heat all portions of the meat simultaneously. 
• For instance, in June 2024, Dematic finalized the initial implementation of its new comprehensive automation solution at a meat processing facility in Australia. The system combines a Dematic Multishuttle Meat Buffer with an automated storage and retrieval system for pallets, featuring Dematic's latest high-reach, freezer-rated automated guided vehicles. This solution is overseen and regulated via Dematic software.
• Key participants in the frozen meat industry are concentrating on tactics like alliances, mergers and acquisitions, investments, expanding their bases, and introducing new products to establish themselves as formidable competitors and satisfy rising consumer demands. 
• In May 2023, ButcherBox announced that BJ’s Wholesale Club has teamed up with the direct-to-consumer meat brand. Until August, BJ’s customers could buy The Grill Box, which includes five of ButcherBox's top frozen meat selections, at 129 BJ’s stores along the East Coast. 
• Innovation in packaging appeals to the consumers and the rising demand for frozen meat in the market. Active packaging is an innovative packaging technique that employs a range of active substances, including antioxidants, antimicrobials, moisture scavengers, gas scavengers, and ultraviolet light absorbers. 
• Recent studies on eco-friendly packaging for ground beef indicate that consumers associate sustainability with resealable options, packaging that enables mess-free portioning of meat, and smart packaging that informs about the remaining days before the ground beef is safe to eat. 

Market Opportunity 

Product Innovation: Ameliorate the Frozen Meat Market

At present, the primary technologies employed in developing alternative meats are either plant-based or cell-based. The offerings from the two leading companies, Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, are plant-based yet distinct, as Impossible Foods utilizes soy protein, whereas Beyond Meat merges pea proteins with various bean sources. Cell-based research is still in its early stages, and presently, there is no widely available commercial product in any market except Singapore and create opportunity for meat production.

Cell-based production occurs in laboratories and involves cultivating stem cells extracted from specific animals. Although cell-based meat products do not completely replace meat, they avoid the conventional farm or ranch to slaughterhouse method, thereby alleviating some environmental and animal welfare issues for certain consumers. 

Market Challenge 

High Cost and Concern Regarding Use of Preservatives Restraining the Market 

The substantial expenses related to purchasing freezing equipment could represent a serious challenge to the expansion of the global frozen meat market. In addition, frozen foods include different kinds of preservatives that can impact the human body, which is another significant factor anticipated to hinder the growth of the global frozen meat market in the forecast period. Also, various issues have been highlighted concerning the improper use of preservatives in meat products, manifesting in different ways, such as incorporating levels exceeding the maximum limit set by regulatory bodies or introducing ineffective concentrations. So far, the inappropriate use of preservatives is a global concern due to their effects on public health and the stability of the environmental microbiome, hampering market growth. 

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominated the frozen meat market in 2024.

As the worldwide meat consumption continues to grow due to factors such as population growth, urban development, and rising incomes, particularly in developing nations. As income increases, consumers can buy a wider variety of meat products, including frozen options. An increasing middle class in China, India, and Brazil is boosting the demand for frozen meat even more. The shift towards premium products in the food sector is impacting the frozen meat market as well. Shoppers are prepared to spend extra on premium, specialty meat items like grass-fed, free-range, or organic frozen meats. The appetite for gourmet meat items, like aged beef, artisanal sausages, or unique meats, is rising as consumers look for distinctive, premium choices for their meals. 

• Worldwide, the leading three importers of frozen meat are Vietnam, Japan, and the United States. Vietnam tops the global frozen meat imports with 277,503 shipments, while Japan follows with 147,142 shipments, and the United States ranks third with 68,956 shipments. 

China has the biggest meat consumption frozen meat market in the world. Chinese consumers also indicate that they are spending more on meat in restaurants, unlike consumers in the surveyed peer countries, who allocate more for meat to prepare at home. Chinese eateries generally utilize frozen meat; thus, the expansion of the restaurant and catering sector with 8 percent annually from 2018 to 2023 is expected to boost frozen meat usage. Similarly, as convenience-focused customers dine out more frequently, international companies have a chance to satisfy the rising need for frozen meat. 

North America expects significant growth in the frozen meat market during the forecast period.

Multiple factors are fueling the expansion of the frozen meat market in North America. The growing demand for high-protein diets, shifting consumer tastes, and rising disposable incomes are all factors contributing to the market's expansion. Moreover, advancements in food processing technology and enhancements in supply chain efficiencies are allowing manufacturers to satisfy the increasing consumer demand for meat products. The market is seeing improvements in plant-based meat substitutes, which are becoming more acknowledged as a segment of the larger protein consumption trend. 

In the United States, the increasing need for convenient ready-to-eat food driven by fast-paced work routines and bustling lifestyles is boosting the market for frozen meat. In addition, the increasing consumer preference for processed meat items, like bacon, sausages, hot dogs, canned meat, and so on, is fueling market expansion. Moreover, the extensive availability of fast-food establishments, food trucks, cafes which heavily rely on processed and ready-to-cook meat options for quicker and more convenient customer service is further boosting the frozen meat demand in the nation. 

Europe expects the notable growth in the market during the forecast period.

The increasing consumer interest in protein-heavy diets is a major factor influencing the market, with meat serving as a key protein source in European homes. The rising trend of health-focused diets has resulted in a higher intake of leaner meat choices, like poultry, as individuals aim to harmonize nutrition with flavor. European shoppers are progressively emphasizing sustainability and ethical factors in their buying choices. The need for organic, free-range, and sustainably sourced frozen meat keeps increasing, fueled by worries regarding environmental effects and animal welfare. These preferences have driven the growth of cultivated and plant-based meat substitutes, broadening the industry's range to cater to various consumer values.

Segmental Insights

Product Insights

Beef segment held the dominating share of the frozen meat market in 2024.

Frozen beef guarantees that high-quality meat cuts are accessible throughout the year, irrespective of local farming circumstances. Transporting frozen beef is also more economical than fresh meat, as it enables larger amounts to be delivered over greater distances without risk of spoilage, increasing the demand for frozen beef. The demand for beef is increasing because of higher public welfare, growing population, land alterations, dietary changes, urban development, and democratization. 

The chicken segment is seen to grow at a notable rate during the predicted timeframe. The primary factors driving the expansion of the frozen chicken market are the increasing consumer preference for convenient food options, heightened awareness of frozen chicken as a nutritious and affordable protein source, and swift urban development resulting in more working professionals who have little time for meal preparation. The frozen chicken industry provides an extensive selection of products, featuring pre-cooked choices, nuggets, strips, and numerous flavored types. This variety meets various consumer tastes and enables flexible meal preparation.

• India exports 1,695 shipments of frozen chicken from Mar 2023 to Feb 2024, as per the report by the Volza's India Export data. 

Distribution Channel Insights

Supermarkets and hypermarkets segment held the dominating share of the frozen meat market in 2024.

Shoppers choose to purchase frozen meat items from these stores because of the diverse selection offered and the ease of buying all grocery items in a single location. Supermarkets provide shoppers with a greater variety of choices based on their preferred type of meat. Additionally, numerous supermarkets provide pre-marinated meats, meals that are ready to cook, and various other items. 

Online segment expects a significant growth in the frozen meat market during the forecast period. Businesses have acknowledged the significance of e-commerce, and various entities are currently collaborating with external retailers to provide products directly to consumers' doorsteps. During the pandemic, online meat sellers such as Tyson Fresh Meats joined the meat E-Commerce trend. They noted that 23% of their clientele were expected to keep purchasing online following the lockdowns. Thus, they took steps to facilitate online meat sales. 

Recent Developments in the Frozen Meat Market

• Partnership: In September 2024, Believer Meats, a leader in the cultivated meat sector, established partnership with GEA, a prominent global provider of large-scale equipment and systems for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. The collaboration centers on jointly developing technologies and processes to enhance the unit economics and sustainability of cultivated meat production. 
• Launch: In October 2024, Daring Plant Chicken unveiled the introduction of two new frozen dishes – Cheese Plant Chicken Bowl and Buffalo Mac and Queso Burrito Plant Chicken Bow. The latest vegetarian bowls enhance the expansion of Daring's current frozen entrée lineup while expanding the attraction of Plant Chicken to an increasing flexitarian market aiming to lower its meat intake. 

Frozen Meat Market Leading Companies

• BRF S.A.
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Clemens Food Group
• Conagra Brands Inc.
• Hormel Foods Corporation
• JBS S.A.
• Minerva Foods SA
• NH Foods Ltd.
• Sysco Corporation
• Tyson Foods
• WH Group
• Vion Food Group

Segment Covered in the Report

By Product

• Beef
• Chicken
• Pork

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarket/ Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
• Latin America