Market Trends of Ready Meals Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Ready Meals Market according to our research experts:
Inclination Toward Organic Ready Meals
Consumers have begun to place more value on foods that offer them functional benefits apart from taste, thereby increasing the demand for healthy, natural, and safe ready meals. These organic food alternatives are positively impacting the growth of the market. Health awareness and food safety concerns lead to more consumers carefully selecting their ready meals to avoid adverse health effects. Also, organic ready meals are deriving a lot of their value through consumer trust and their perception of the products being healthy. Ready meals are becoming highly popular in the packaged food market due to their convenience and portability. In addition to this, organic ready meals are gaining traction as they are verified natural products that could substitute a full meal. Also, they are healthier than traditional ready meals due to portion-size packaging. Due to all of this, market players are also putting efforts into providing healthy and organic, and environment-friendly food. For instance, in April 2022, Conagra Brands Inc.'s brand Evol became the first frozen food brand to offer carbon-free certified carbon-neutral meals.
Europe Remains the Major Market
The increasing demand for natural products that offer a high level of convenience emphasizes the trend for ready meals in Europe. Consumer demand for natural ready meals with few or no additives has increased significantly in Europe. For instance, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the household consumption of ready meals is increasing day by day, and several manufacturers are bringing innovations in food, creating opportunities for selling all types of ready meals in Germany. Owing to these factors, the consumption of frozen ready foods is expected over the long term period. Hence, the convenience factor remains paramount in Germany and other European countries, with consumers demanding quick and easy preparation. The major players and regional players are producing more products by focusing on the trends and innovating products for better penetration in the market. For instance, in October 2021, Nestle launched two new products in their plant-based series i.e. plant-based alternatives to eggs and shrimps. The products were launched under Garden Gourmet Veggies and Garden Gourmet Vrimp in Europe.
