Ready-to-Eat Food Market to Reach $258.7M by 2031 | CAGR 5.2% | North America Leads with 38% Share | Key Players: Nestlé, McCain Foods, ITC Limited, General Mills, Premier Foods

Market Overview

The global Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Market was valued at USD 172.5 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 258.7 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031. Rising health consciousness among consumers is boosting demand for plant-based, gluten-free, and organic RTE options, as more people prioritize nutritious yet convenient meals.

Get a Free Sample PDF Of This Report (Get Higher Priority for Corporate Email ID):-https://www.datamintelligence.com/download-sample/ready-to-eat-food-market?Juli

Convenience remains a key driver in the market. Busy lifestyles are pushing consumers toward easy-to-prepare, on-the-go meal solutions. Innovations in portion-controlled and single-serve packaging, as well as designs that enhance portability, are increasingly popular. Additionally, diverse and exotic flavors are driving market growth, as consumers seek international cuisines and unique taste experiences. This trend is encouraging the introduction of globally inspired RTE options, offering flavors and recipes from a variety of regions worldwide.

Recent Developments:

✅ January 2026 - Global: A leading food manufacturer launched a line of plant-based ready-to-eat meals with extended shelf life, targeting health-conscious consumers and expanding its presence in North American and European markets.

✅ In September 2022, McCain Foods, Canadian multinational frozen food company acquired Netherlands-based Scelta Products. This acquisition will improve the company's position in the prepared frozen appetizer market and add innovation and capacity to frozen appetizers

✅ In August 2022, General Mills Inc., manufacturer of consumer-based food products, introduced prepared meal kits under the brands of Betty Crocker, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, and Annie's Organic brands.

✅ In September 2021, Swift Fine Foods, an Irish ready-meal producer, launched a new line of premium vegan Ready-to-Eat Food in the UK.

Mergers & Acquisitions:

✅ January 2026 - North America: A leading global food company acquired a regional RTE meals producer, expanding its product portfolio in plant-based and organic ready-to-eat options and strengthening its presence in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

✅ October 2025 - Europe: A prominent RTE food manufacturer completed the acquisition of a specialty convenience meals brand, enhancing its distribution network and capabilities in single-serve and international cuisine offerings.

✅ July 2025 - Asia-Pacific: A major food conglomerate acquired a local RTE producer specializing in gluten-free and healthy meals, supporting expansion into health-focused and organic product segments.

Buy Now & Unlock 360° Market Intelligence:-https://www.datamintelligence.com/buy-now-page?report=ready-to-eat-food-market?Juli

Key Players:
Nestlé, McCain Foods, ITC Limited, General Mills, Premier Foods, and Conagra Brands.Market Segmentation:

By Food Type
Cereal-based ready-to-eat foods hold the largest share, accounting for approximately 35% of the market in 2024, driven by breakfast cereals, muesli bars, and quick-prep grain meals. Fruits & vegetable-based RTE products represent around 28%, fueled by growing health consciousness and demand for plant-based meals. Meat and poultry-based options account for 25%, supported by high-protein diets and convenience in cooked meals. Other food types, including seafood and mixed meals, contribute the remaining 12%, reflecting niche demand for specialized or ethnic ready-to-eat dishes.

By Packaging
Frozen RTE products dominate the market with approximately 40%, owing to their longer shelf life and ease of storage. Canned options hold about 20%, primarily for soups, vegetables, and ready-to-heat meals. Chilled or refrigerated products account for 18%, offering fresh-like taste and premium positioning. Retort packaging, which allows shelf-stable, heat-processed meals, represents roughly 12%, while other packaging types, including pouches and multi-compartment trays, make up 10%.

By Distribution Channel
Hypermarkets and supermarkets lead the market with around 45%, benefiting from wide product availability and bulk purchase trends. Convenience stores account for 20%, catering to on-the-go consumers seeking quick meal options. Online sales, including e-commerce and direct-to-consumer platforms, hold approximately 25%, reflecting the increasing trend of online grocery shopping. Other channels, such as specialty stores and foodservice outlets, make up the remaining 10% of the market.

Speak to Our Analyst and Get Customization in the report as per your requirements:-https://www.datamintelligence.com/customize/ready-to-eat-food-market?Juli
(Single User Report: USD 4350 & One Year Database Subscription: USD 12K)

Regional Insights:

North America holds the largest share of the global RTE food market, accounting for approximately 38% in 2024. The region's growth is driven by busy lifestyles, high disposable incomes, and a strong preference for convenience foods, along with the increasing adoption of health-focused and organic RTE options. Europe follows with around 25%, supported by rising demand for plant-based, gluten-free, and premium ready-to-eat products, as well as expanding retail and online distribution channels.

The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing rapid growth, representing roughly 22% of the market, fueled by urbanization, rising working populations, and changing dietary habits. Consumers in countries such as India, China, Japan, and Australia are increasingly seeking convenient, nutritious, and international cuisine-inspired RTE options. The Middle East and Africa account for about 10%, driven by modern retail expansion, growing awareness of convenience foods, and demand for imported international products. Latin America contributes the remaining 5%, where market growth is gradual but supported by rising urban lifestyles and adoption of packaged ready-to-eat meals.

Market Dynamics:

Increasing Working Women Driving Market Growth
The growing number of working women has been a significant driver for the RTE food market. In 2020, women accounted for 47.7% of the global workforce, creating a greater need for convenient, time-saving meal solutions. Busy professional commitments limit the time available for cooking, and ready-to-eat foods provide a practical alternative by eliminating meal planning, grocery shopping, and extensive preparation. These meals can be easily purchased from grocery stores, convenience stores, or online platforms, and consumed with minimal effort, enabling working women to access quick, nutritious meals efficiently.

Changing Consumer Lifestyles
Modern lifestyles are increasingly fast-paced, with individuals managing multiple responsibilities and commitments. This shift has fueled demand for quick, convenient food options, making RTE meals an ideal solution. Designed for on-the-go consumption, ready-to-eat foods allow consumers to enjoy a hassle-free meal anytime and anywhere, whether at work, during travel, or leisure activities. For instance, in Q4 2022, 22% of Malaysian respondents reported purchasing takeaway from convenience stores, highlighting the rising reliance on ready-to-eat solutions. Convenience and simplicity remain central drivers of consumer adoption.

Health Awareness as a Market Restraint
Despite growth, rising health consciousness is restraining the RTE food market. Consumers are increasingly aware of the potential health risks associated with high levels of added sugars, unhealthy fats, sodium, and artificial ingredients in some ready-to-eat meals. The global obesity crisis affecting over 1 billion people in 2022 along with the link between unhealthy eating and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, has shifted preferences toward fresher, minimally processed options. Studies have also shown that higher consumption of ready-made meals is significantly associated with abdominal fat accumulation. As a result, health-conscious individuals may opt for fresh, whole foods over RTE products, perceiving them as healthier and safer for long-term wellbeing.

📌 Request for 2 Days FREE Trial Access: https://www.datamintelligence.com/reports-subscription

☛ Power your decisions with real-time competitor tracking, strategic forecasts, and global investment insights all in one place.

✅ Competitive Landscape

✅ Sustainability Impact Analysis

✅ KOL / Stakeholder Insights

✅ Unmet Needs & Positioning, Pricing & Market Access Snapshots

✅ Market Volatility & Emerging Risks Analysis

✅ Quarterly Industry Report Updated

✅ Live Market & Pricing Trends

✅ Import-Export Data Monitoring
☛ Have a look at our Subscription Dashboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5oEiqEqTWg?Juli

Contact Us -
Company Name: DataM Intelligence
Contact Person: Sai Kiran
Email: Sai.k@datamintelligence.com
Phone: +1 877 441 4866
Website: https://www.datamintelligence.com

About Us -
DataM Intelligence is a Market Research and Consulting firm that provides end-to-end business solutions to organizations from Research to Consulting. We, at DataM Intelligence, leverage our top trademark trends, insights and developments to emancipate swift and astute solutions to clients like you. We encompass a multitude of syndicate reports and customized reports with a robust methodology.

Our research database features countless statistics and in-depth analyses across a wide range of 6300+ reports in 40+ domains creating business solutions for more than 200+ companies across 50+ countries; catering to the key business research needs that influence the growth trajectory of our vast clientele.

This release was published on openPR.