According to the report, the global ready-to-eat food market is likely to grow from USD 167.9 billion in 2025 to USD 359.9 billion in 2035 at a moderate CAGR of 7.2% during the time period. The global RTE food market is seeing sustained growth on account of the evolving consumer lifestyles characterized by search for time, working couples, and urbanization. The growing single-serve packaging of fine frozen meals for hurried consumers, particularly in metro cities, occurs as a major growth element for the RTE sector. Foods of the present-day world use modern packaging technologies, such as MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) and HPP (High-pressure Processing), to leverage food safety and shelf life on higher grounds. This strengthening of consumer confidence has thus become affiliated with packaged food. The food delivery platforms such as Uber Eats and DoorDash have further added to the visibility and accessibility of RTE options from a global perspective. Growth of higher double digits was witnessed in the frozen RTE portfolio in Europe in 2024 by companies such as Nomad Foods that can be attributed to higher sales through retail and e-commerce channels. On top of this, the increasing popularity of plant-based and ethnic RTE cuisines is attracting health-conscious as well as culturally inclined consumers, thus giving the market an added push. Collectively, these developments are nudging RTE foods from niche to mainstream and are getting it accepted as a versatile meal solution
The rapid growth of professionals worldwide, especially in developing countries such as India, Brazil, and Indonesia, is the prime urge behind the Ready to Eat (RTE) food market. Long working hours and hectic lifestyles have caused consumers to prefer diet options that are quicker and convenient. The upward trend concerning behavior is driving demand for packaged meals, prepared meals, and frozen entrees. ITC Ltd., for example, enlarged the RTE Indian meals segment in 2024 to cater to urban professionals with premium products marketed under the brand name Kitchens of India in tier-1 and tier-2 cities.
The rising awareness regarding health hazards faced because of preservatives, sodium, and artificial additives used in numerous RTE products is another reason for the growth of the RTE food market. Problems of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases scare away any health-conscious consumer. According to a study conducted in 2024 and published in the Journal of Nutrition and Health, 42% of urban millennials avoid eating RTE meals because of the processed nature of the ingredients and questionable labeling.
This is a big opportunity with the rise of refrigerated RTE foods with cleaner labels and lesser processes. Manufacturers have been capitalizing on consumers' preference for fresh alternatives to frozen or canned meals. In April 2024, Nestlé entered the premium end of the refrigerated RTE pasta and grain bowl segment in Europe under the Lean Cuisine brand, with the idea to combine convenience with health and freshness.
Prices and market access for RTE products are greatly dependent on the tariff rate. High import duties on processed and packaged food products can make it costly for RTE brands to sell across borders; hence they lose their price advantage in economically less strong countries. For example, India charges import duties of around 30-50% on packaged imported foods, including RTE meals. This makes it impossible for an average consumer to opt for a foreign brand, hence encouraging them to choose a local alternative. Such tariff barriers also hold back smaller international players from entering emerging markets due to inconceivable margins and regulatory impediments.
Tariffs also impact the supply chains as manufacturers now must revisit their sourcing strategy and production hubs. To mitigate tariff costs, many companies are hence seeking to move manufacturing facilities or organize their supply chains regionally. One pertinent example is U.S.-based Kraft Heinz, which in early 2024 further developed its production of RTEs in Mexico as a means to circumvent raised U.S.–China tariffs and as well catering efficiently to the North and Latin American markets. The point is to show how the changes of tariffs can have their effects on long-term investment, on whether regional manufacturing will be present or not, and on product availability in the international RTE market.
Prominent players operating in the global ready-to-eat food market are Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Amul (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation), Bakkavor Group plc, Campbell Soup Company, Conagra Brands, Inc., Dr. Oetker GmbH, General Mills Inc., Hormel Foods Corporation, ITC Limited., Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Mars, Incorporated, McCain Foods Limited., Nestlé S.A., Nomad Foods Ltd., PepsiCo, Inc., Sigma Alimentos, S.A. de C.V., The Kellogg Company, The Kraft Heinz Company, Tyson Foods, Inc., Unilever PLC and Other Key Players.
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