North America Ready Meals Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
| Historical Data Period | 2019 - 2022 |
| CAGR | 4.17 % |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
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*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
North America Ready Meals Market Analysis
The North America Ready Meals Market size is estimated at USD 54.38 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 66.70 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.17% during the forecast period (2023-2028).
The demand for ready meal products has surged in markets such as the United States and remained nominal in Mexico and the rest of North America. This may be attributed to consumers stockpiling during the initial stages of the pandemic, however, the average sales of ready meals remained significantly above their pracademic levels as consumers are consuming far more meals at home. Online retailing of these products happens to be one of the reasons for sales growth of these products in countries like the United States and Canada. Consumers in the market are adopting online retailing for weekly grocery shopping which has doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic-resultant lockdown, in a trend that is now irreversible.
Over the period, changing lifestyles of consumers, which involves consuming smaller meals and healthier meals, are leading to the increased consumption of ready-to-eat food or instant products, such as rice, pulses, soups, and others. As these food products are healthier, they are witnessing an increasing demand. Currently, the demand for ready meal kits is increasing in both developed and developing countries, like the North America and Canada respectively, owing to the factor of convenience, which is a deciding factor for consumption of ready meals in lives of consumers with hectic lifestyle.
Additionally, the rise in the number of nuclear families and longer working hours in the region are the primary factors responsible for the increase in consumption of ready-to-eat food products. Working population are the major consumer of ready-to-eat meals, along with the millennial population residing in the market studied.
North America Ready Meals Market Trends
Growing Affinity toward Ethnic Ready Meals
Over the past decade, more immigrants have come to North America from Asia than any other region globally, making Asians the fastest-growing immigrant population in American countries. Although, before the Asian immigrants, many immigrants, particularly from Europe, had also settled in various parts globally. Therefore, these immigrants bring their diverse cultures, different economic and demographic traits, and various food and beverage consumption patterns from various countries, thus driving the sales of ethnic ready meals across the region. According to the world migration report 2022, there were nearly 59 million international migrants in 2020 in North America, resulting in 21% of the global migrant stock. Therefore, the rising number of Asian immigrants demanding authentic cuisines is driving the sales of ethnic-ready meals in the region. The penetration of Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian cuisine-ready meals has been strong over the last decade. During the forecast period, the ethnic ready meals industry is more likely to rely upon the fusion of ethnic blends. This phenomenon has been compelling major food retailers to increase the inclusion of aromatic and intricate ethnic cuisine ready meals into their product portfolio to satiate the consumers' demand for ethnic ready meals. For instance, in 2021, CJ Foods launched a new range of frozen Asian ready meals, including Bibigo Korean-Style Crunchy Chicken, available in Soy Garlic and Sweet & Spicy, and Bibigo Korean-Style Fried Rice, available in Shrimp with Soy Garlic Flavor, Chicken with Korean BBQ Flavor and Vegetables with Kimchi under its brand 'Bibigo'.
United States Hold the Prominent Share in the Market
Due to shifting social and economic patterns, higher food and beverage spending, increased consumer awareness of healthy foods, changes in meal patterns and eating habits, an expanding ex-pat population settling in the country, and the desire to try new products, the demand for quick, easy food, especially ready meals, is increasing more quickly in United States. Owing to rising disposable income around the world, and the rise in the number of working women, people favor prepared meals over traditional ones. Also, college students have very little time to eat during their breaks, so they need their meals to be convenient and easy to acquire. Several items have been prepared by market players in accordance with consumer desires.
The increasing participation in outdoor recreational activities like camping, trekking, hiking, etc., is driving the market for ready meals. In 2022, according to TurfMutt Foundation, the 'backyard" trend may stay in America and may continue to expand. Additionally, according to Census Bureau's monthly Current Population Survey (CPS), the total ex-pat population (legal and illegal) in the United States hit 47 million in April 2022. This data has increased by two million since January 2021. With technological innovations in the food industry, convenience food includes ready meals in chilled, frozen, portion-controlled, shelf-stable, microwaveable, and prepared-mixes formats.
Furthermore, transparency is a powerful purchasing driver for consumers, with many consumers actively seeking out products that promote sustainability, contain organic and natural ingredients, and have clean and more precise labels. According to a survey conducted by International Food Information Council (IFIC) in 2021, 64% of United States consumers choose food products made with clean ingredients. Therefore, retailers increasingly seek brands with certifications, labels, or claims that consumers value, like non-GMO, organic, or women-or minority-owned.
North America Ready Meals Industry Overview
North America's ready meals market is a highly fragmented market with the presence of numerous players competing for the leading market position. Nestle SA, Hello Fresh Group, General Mills Inc., ConAgra Brands, and The Kraft Heinz Company are a few of the major players operating in the market. The players are diversifying their product portfolio to include more ready meals in their product offerings. The players are also focusing on expansion, mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships to meet the demand of consumers. For instance, in February 2022, Hello fresh announced its partnership with the National Hockey League's Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, and Los Angeles Kings to become the first meal kit partner of each team.
North America Ready Meals Market Leaders
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Nestle SA
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Conagra Brands, Inc.
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The Kraft Heinz Company
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General Mills Inc.
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Hello Fresh Group
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
North America Ready Meals Market News
October 2022: Campbell Soup Company launched four new mealtime soups with four different flavors such as Spicy Steak and Potato, Spicy Chicken Noodle, Spicy Sirloin Burger, and Spicy Chicken and Gumbo.
June 2022: Conagra Brands introduced an extensive summer line-up of new products featuring contemporary flavors to solve mealtime dilemmas and satisfy cravings. The products contain in-trend ingredients and can be cooked using convenient preparation methods.
May 2022: General Mills entered a definitive agreement to acquire TNT Crust, a manufacturer of frozen pizza crusts for regional and national pizza chains, food service distributors, and retail outlets. TNT Crust is currently owned by private equity firm Peak Rock Capital.
North America Ready Meals Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions & Market Definition
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Drivers
- 4.2 Market Restraints
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4.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.3.1 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
- 4.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products
- 4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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5.1 Product Type
- 5.1.1 Frozen Ready Meals
- 5.1.2 Canned Ready Meals
- 5.1.3 Dried Ready Meals
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5.2 Category
- 5.2.1 Conventional Meals
- 5.2.2 Free-from Meals
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5.3 Distribution Channel
- 5.3.1 Supermarkets/ Hypermarkets
- 5.3.2 Convenience Stores/Grocery Stores
- 5.3.3 Online Retailers
- 5.3.4 Other Distribution Channels
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5.4 Geography
- 5.4.1 United States
- 5.4.2 Canada
- 5.4.3 Mexico
- 5.4.4 Rest of North America
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Most Adopted Strategies
- 6.2 Market Share Analysis
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6.3 Company Profiles
- 6.3.1 Hormel Foods Corporation
- 6.3.2 Mars Incorporated
- 6.3.3 Conagra Brands
- 6.3.4 Ebro Foods SA
- 6.3.5 Nestle SA
- 6.3.6 The Kraft Heinz Company
- 6.3.7 Campbell Soup Company
- 6.3.8 Unilever PLC
- 6.3.9 HelloFresh Group
- 6.3.10 General Mills Inc.
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityNorth America Ready Meals Industry Segmentation
Ready meals are complete meals with two or more combinations of ingredients and can be prepared instantly through microwave or heating.
North America's ready meals market is segmented by product type, category, distribution channel, and geography. By product type, the market is segmented into frozen ready meals, canned ready meals, and dried ready meals. By Category, the market is segmented into conventional ready meals and free-from-ready meals. By distribution channel, the market is divided into supermarkets/ hypermarkets, convenience stores/grocery stores, online retailers, and other distribution channels. The study also involves the analysis of regions such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the rest of North America. The market sizing has been done in value terms in USD for all the abovementioned segments.
| Product Type | Frozen Ready Meals |
| Canned Ready Meals | |
| Dried Ready Meals | |
| Category | Conventional Meals |
| Free-from Meals | |
| Distribution Channel | Supermarkets/ Hypermarkets |
| Convenience Stores/Grocery Stores | |
| Online Retailers | |
| Other Distribution Channels | |
| Geography | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| Rest of North America |
North America Ready Meals Market Research FAQs
What is the current North America Ready Meals Market size?
The North America Ready Meals Market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.17% during the forecast period (2024-2029)
Who are the key players in North America Ready Meals Market?
Nestle SA, Conagra Brands, Inc., The Kraft Heinz Company, General Mills Inc. and Hello Fresh Group are the major companies operating in the North America Ready Meals Market.
What years does this North America Ready Meals Market cover?
The report covers the North America Ready Meals Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the North America Ready Meals Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
North America Ready Meals Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 North America Ready Meals market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. North America Ready Meals analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
