Ready Meals Market Size, Share and Innovation Pathways

Ready Meals Market Size, Demand & Forecast Insights

The global ready meals market size valued at USD 177.6 billion in 2024 and is forecast to grow from USD 190.09 billion in 2025 to USD 350.35 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 7.03% during the period from 2025 to 2034. The growing demand for the processed food drives the growth of the market.

Key Highlights

• By region, North America dominated the ready meals market in 2024, due to the changing consumer preference towards food tastes. 
• By region, Asia Pacific is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period due to the increasing working-class population and rising urbanization.  
• By product, the frozen segment dominated the market in 2024 due to the time-saving convenience, freshness, and availability.  
• By product, the shelf-stable meals segment is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period due to the increased shelf life. 
• By distribution channel, the supermarkets and hypermarkets segment dominated the ready meals market in 2024, due to the minimized financing costs by paying for goods at least 30 days after receipt. 
• By distribution channel, the online retail segment is expected to grow fastest during the forecast due to the increasing convenience for customers and increasing sales potential. 
• By meal type, the non-vegetarian segment dominated the market share in 2024.
• By meal type, the vegan segment is expected to grow fast during the forecast period.

Increasing Inclination Towards Ready-To-Eat Food Products Accelerate Market Expansion

The ready meals market deals with cooked dishes that don't need extra processing or preparation before eating. Their ease of use is saving effort and time and makes them desirable and conveniently stored. Consumers have a growing preference for ready-to-eat food products due to the fast-paced schedules of working individuals and students. According to individual tastes and preferences, packaged meal options vary. In addition, factors such as speedy delivery options, more diverse choices available on offer online, and better food quality greatly impact customer satisfaction with this type of service are expected to drive the market growth. 

The growing demand for convenience food further drives the growth of the market. The demand for convenience and ready-to-eat foods is continuously increasing since they save effort and time for working professionals with lifestyle changes. Through the growing interest in innovative packaged foods, GenZ, and millennials are enhancing the introduction of premium quality products. In addition, the increased demand for convenient food enables formulators to enhance trending consumer willingness and increasing demand for nutritious and premium ready-to-eat foods is further expected to drive the growth of the market. 

Ready Meals Market Trends 

• Penetration of various food manufacturers: Ready meals are convenient and easy lifestyle choices for customers with hectic schedules desiring food choices that combine nutrition, flavor, and quality contributing to market growth. 
• E-commerce expansion: The increasing shift towards online food shopping has potentially enhanced the growth of the ready meals market. 
• Online food retail: Major food brands and retailers are investing in subscription-based meal kits and direct-to-consumer models, driving convenience for consumers who prefer home delivery of packaged foods.  
• Plant-based and vegan diets: The rise of plant based, and vegan diets has led to an increase in dairy-free and meat-free ready meals, catering to vegetarian and flexitarian consumers further contributed to propelling the growth of the ready meals market.  
• Innovation in functional and healthy foods: Health-conscious customers are demanding organic, high-protein, gluten free and low-calorie ready meals.  

Market Opportunities 

Tech-Driven Convenience: QR Codes and Smart Packaging 

Various food companies use technology to make ready meals more transparent and convenient for customers. While smart labels help keep food fresh for longer, self-heating packaging allows people to enjoy hot meals without needing a stove or microwave. These innovations make meals easier for busy consumers and reduce food waste. The self-heating ready meals packaging shows the increasing demand for on-the-go and easy meal options. In addition, QR codes also transforming the way the consumer is friendly with food packaging. Shoppers can instantly see preparation tips, ingredient sources, and nutrition facts, by scanning a QR code. This helps customers make informed choices and it is easier to check for the brand’s sustainability efforts, which further creates growth opportunities and enhances the growth of the ready meals market in the coming years.

Market Challenge

Lower Quality of Meals 

Some consumers believe prepackaged foods to be of lower quality when compared to freshly cooked meals. Adopting these low-quality meals may be hampered by this concept, especially among consumers who value restaurant-made and freshly created meals. It can be difficult to challenge uniformity in texture and flavor across a variety of fully ready meals. It can be challenging to maintain the ideal textures and tastes during the packaging process and manufacturing, a variety of which may affect the entire eating experience of consumers, which is expected to restrain the growth of the ready meals market. 

Regional Insights 

North America Dominated the Ready Meals Market in 2024. 

The market growth in the region is attributed to the increasing popularity of ready-to-eat meals, increasing accessibility, convenience, and mobility, the value of packaged organic, vegan, and gluten-free foods, rising health consciousness, and worries about food safety. The region is the third most active market for product launches. The U.S. and Canada are dominating countries driving the market growth attributed to the increasing convenient meal delivery services.  

• For instance, in 2024, Conagra Brands Inc. Natural Products Expo West launched a range of new items including meals and entrées in Chicago.  
• In February 2025, Bonduelle announced a new line of ready-to-eat meals designed to appeal to "on-the-go eaters everywhere. These lunch bowls are made with 100% plant-powered ingredients and more than 10 grams of protein.

Asia Pacific Ready Meals Market Trends 

Asia Pacific is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period. The market growth in the region is driven by the increasing demand for saving effort and time in cooking meals for dinner and breakfast, the rising development of ready meals, the rapid adoption of Western food trends, and increasing preference towards changing lifestyles. In addition, evolving consumer preferences, burgeoning middle class, growing awareness of food safety and quality, and the rise of modern retail formats, such as hypermarkets and supermarkets. China, Japan, India, and South Korea are the fastest growing countries in the region. China is the second largest country in ready meals across the globe driven by caterers. The increasing availability of diverse cuisines and flavors and the widespread adoption of ready meals are further anticipated to drive the growth of the ready meals market in China. India is also a significant country driving the market growth.

Segment Insights 

Product Insights

The Frozen Meals Segment Dominated the Ready Meals Market in 2024. 

The segment growth in the market is attributed to the increasing product launches and the increasing convenience of frozen food. Frozen meals are economical, offer explicit cooking directions, and leave no room for under-cooked and error food. As compared to fresh foods, frozen meals have a longer shelf life.  

The Shelf-Stable Segment Expects Significant Growth the Market During the Forecast Period. 

Shelf-stable meals can be consumed at room temperature and do not require refrigeration. They are often referred to as emergency meals when regular food cannot be offered, as these are affordable. The increasing product launches are the major driver fueling the segment growth.

Meal Type Insights

The Non-Vegetarian Segment Dominated the Ready Meals Market in 2024. 

The segment growth in the market is driven by increasing product launches by key players, rising hygiene issues with fresh products, increasing consumer preference towards frozen non-vegetarian packaged food, and increasing demand for protein-rich food items such as value-added salami, sausages, and chicken nuggets.  

• In February 2025, a premier destination for authentic Indian fusion cuisine, Kabab House announced the launch of its all-new Lunch Buffet. The aim behind this launch was to experience the rich and diverse flavors of India with a wide selection of freshly made dishes served buffet-style. 

The Vegan Segment is Expected the Substantial Growth in the Market During the Forecast Period. 

The segment growth in the market is driven by increasing trends towards vegan ingredients and products. Millennials are becoming more conscious about their welfare and health.  

• In January 2025, Emirates announced that its expanded its vegan menu across all lounges and cabins to test the new plant-based ready meals. 

Distribution Channel Insights

The Hypermarkets and Supermarkets Segment Dominated the Ready Meals Market in 2024. 

The segment growth in the market is propelled by the increasing availability of a wide range of options for ease of accessibility and ready meals. The increasing variety of product offerings by these channels is also contributing segment growth. By offering a one-stop shopping experience, supermarkets provide the ultimate convenience. The segment attracts a diverse range of customers, which increases sales volume.

The Online Retail Segment Expects Fastest Growth in the Market During the Forecast Period. 

Online retail brings small quantities of products to local delivery service players and consumers. The increasing sales of these meals are expected to drive the segment growth. In addition, the integration of environmental programs, online shopping trends, e-commerce and globalization in store formats are also contributing to segment growth. The segment is used for the delivery of ready meals to enhance customer experience, improve efficiency and streamline processes. The online meals allowing customer to invest in better consumer experience and marketing on their e-commerce site. In addition, the increasing shift in consumer patterns toward higher traction to online retail and increasing launch of online meal delivery services are expected to drive the segment growth. 

Recent Developments in the Ready Meals Market

Rebel Foods

• Launch: In February 2025, QuickiES, a new ‘15-minute or free’ food delivery service was launched by Rebel Foods in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The app designed to cater the rising demand for the high quality food.

Mumsnet

• Collaboration: In April 2025, Mumsnet launched a new range of frozen ready meals for children in collaboration with Iceland Foods, in a move that might surprise some parents.

DDC Enterprise

• Collaboration: In April 2025, a major Asia consumer food company brand, DDC Enterprise announced a binding agreement to form a joint venture (JV). The aim behind this announcement was to scale delivery of ready-to-eat (RTE) solutions for major direct-to-consumer brands, restaurant chains and e-commerce platforms in China.

Ready Meals Market Leading Companies

• Nestlé 
• General Mills, Inc. 
• Kellogg Company 
• Conagra Brands, Inc. 
• Tyson Foods, Inc. 
• Dr. Oetker 
• Nomad Foods 
• Green Mill Foods 
• Unilever 
• 2 Sisters Food Group 

Segments Covered in the Report 

By Product

• Frozen meal
• Chilled meal
• Canned meal
• Shelf-stable meal

By Meal Type

• Vegetarian 
• Non-vegetarian 
• Vegan 

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets & Hypermarkets 
• Convenience Stores 
• Online 
• Others 

By Region

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