Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
| Historical Data Period | 2019 - 2022 |
| CAGR | 3.56 % |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players.webp){kind=logo}
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
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Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market Analysis
The Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market size is anticipated to grow from USD 27.53 million in 2023 to USD 32.79 million by 2028, at a CAGR of 3.56% during the forecast period (2023-2028).
In recent years, ready-to-eat food has evolved into one of the most diverse segments of the ready-meal industry. On-the-go eating options with organic food products offered by manufacturers for consumers are one of the emerging trends in the country as they provide everything from frozen sweets to appetizers and meals. Consumers are interested in consuming organic frozen-ready meals as they are free of microbiological and fungal contamination. The nutritional and health benefits of organic frozen ready meals have led to the demand for products in the country.
The GCC population is booming, and the middle-class population has been expanding rapidly over the years, driven by a sizeable number of expatriates who account for 52% of the region's population. According to the World Bank, Saudi Arabia has a significant population in the Middle Eastern region, with over 36 million residents in 2021, growing at an annual rate of 2.0%. People are influenced by global consumer trends, driving the demand for international food and foreign cuisines through HRI and packaged formats in retail. This factor is boosting the country's ready meals market.
While the continuous influx of expatriates from different geographies may introduce diverse cuisines in the region, growing awareness of healthy eating habits may boost the demand for organic ingredients-infused ready meals in the country.
Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market Trends
Increased Demand for Convenience Food Products
Convenience food requires minimum or no further preparation before consumption. This category includes canned food, packaged food or meals, frozen food, preserved food, and instant products. Frozen food holds a considerable share in this segment. The increasing workforce participation in Saudi Arabia and changing lifestyles are likely to drive the Saudi Arabian market for ready meals over the forecast period. A diverse urban landscape is driving the demand for convenient, ready-to-eat, processed, preserved, and frozen foods in the country, which are shelf-stable and do not require refrigeration. Rio Mare remained the leading brand in providing shelf-stable ready meals due to its strong presence and widely recognized products. Households' demand for convenience foods is being influenced by rising disposable income. Quick-service restaurants are rapidly growing worldwide, driving the need for convenience meals. Thus, consumer inclination toward convenience food items may help boost the market for ready meals in the Saudi Arabian region. On the other hand, increasing government efforts to reduce the risk of nutrition-related ailments, such as obesity and overweight, diabetes, hypertension, anemia, and vitamin D deficiency, may influence the changing consumption patterns. These concerns may also affect the per capita spending in specific food categories, thus assisting the growth of nutrition-based ready meals over the coming years.
Frozen Ready Meals are in High Demand
Ready-to-eat food retail outlets are scarce in the Saudi market, but they are increasing, especially in Jeddah and Riyadh. Consumers are inclined toward consuming frozen ready meals, mainly due to the ease of preparation, low nutrition loss, and the extended product life of meat-based ready meal products, which are gaining popularity across several consumer marketplaces. For instance, according to the consumer behavior study conducted by Siwar Foods, a Saudi-based FMCG company, 80% of consumers in the country are open to purchasing frozen food, with taste, variety, quality, and affordability as the most important drivers of choice. For instance, in August 2022, Brazilian food brand Seara launched its new products across Saudi Arabia by introducing its high-quality range of frozen foods in the Kingdom. Further, the company claims that Seara found its complete halal portfolio comprising 120 frozen food products, including products such as Seara Shawaya Chicken Marinated Kabsa, Seara Shawaya Chicken Marinated Hot Curry, Seara Shawaya Chicken Marinated Italian, among others.
Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Industry Overview
The Saudi Arabian ready meals market is consolidated with major players being Al Kabeer Group, Siwar Foods, Bolton Group SRL, Americana Group, and JBS Foods. These players have extensive product portfolios and have gained recognition in the local market. Due to the increased demand for ready meals in the country, companies are constantly strategizing toward expansion to increase production capacity. The growing demand for ready meals and high economies of scale resulted in the emergence of private-label ready-to-eat meals on the shelves through various promotional offers and discounts, thus increasing market competitiveness. Likewise, in the market studied, companies compete on different factors, including product offerings, ingredients, quality, taste, flavors, price, functionality, size, packaging, and marketing activities, to gain a competitive advantage.
Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market Leaders
Al Kabeer Group
Siwar Foods
Bolton Group SRL
Americana Group
JBS Foods
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market News
- In June 2023, Almarai Company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Investment on June 6, 2023, to discuss ways to develop the food industry (including ready meals) in the country through new investment opportunities in the food sector, which has great potential that has contributed significantly to the arrival of these products to various regions of the country and contributing to increasing exports, regionally and internationally.
- In July 2022, BRF Sadia, a subsidiary of BRF SA, expanded its production capacity to 1,200 tons of food with an investment of USD 18 million in Al Joody at Dammam, Saudi Arabia. BRF Sadia's Halal-produced products are exported to 14 countries, with plans to expand into even more markets in the coming years.
- In June 2022, Siwar Food will launch a line of frozen meals and desserts. The convenience product line, which includes rice and pasta dishes, is available online in retail stores and at "Chef in a Box" vending machines at SAR 20. The machines have been installed in strategic locations throughout Riyadh, including universities, hospitals, and workplaces.
Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Drivers
4.1.1 Popularity of Convenient Food Products
4.1.2 Increase in Tourism
4.2 Market Restraints
4.2.1 High Import Dependency for Food Ingredients
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
5.1 Product Type
5.1.1 Frozen Ready Meal
5.1.2 Chilled Ready Meal
5.1.3 Ambient Ready Meal
5.2 Distribution Channel
5.2.1 Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
5.2.2 Convenience Stores
5.2.3 Online Retail Stores
5.2.4 Other Distribution Channels
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players
6.2 Market Share Analysis
6.3 Company Profiles
6.3.1 Sunbulah Group
6.3.2 JBS Foods SA (Seara Foods)
6.3.3 Americana Group
6.3.4 Almunajem Foods
6.3.5 Almarai Company
6.3.6 Al Kabeer Group
6.3.7 Bolton Group SRL
6.3.8 Al Karamah Dough Production Co. Ltd
6.3.9 Zen Frozen Foods
6.3.10 The Oetker Group
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Industry Segmentation
Ready meals are convenient food options as they require less time for preparation. Classic deep-frozen products based on meat, fish, filled pasta, frozen pizzas, and similar products fall into this segment.
The Saudi Arabian ready meals market is segmented by product type and distribution channel. By product type, the market is segmented into frozen ready meals, chilled ready meals, and ambient ready meals. The market is segmented by distribution channel into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retail stores, and other distribution channels. For each segment, the market sizing and forecast have been done based on value (USD million).
| Product Type | |
| Frozen Ready Meal | |
| Chilled Ready Meal | |
| Ambient Ready Meal |
| Distribution Channel | |
| Hypermarkets/Supermarkets | |
| Convenience Stores | |
| Online Retail Stores | |
| Other Distribution Channels |
Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market Research FAQs
What is the current Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market size?
The Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market is projected to register a CAGR of 3.56% during the forecast period (2024-2029)
Who are the key players in Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market?
Al Kabeer Group , Siwar Foods , Bolton Group SRL , Americana Group and JBS Foods are the major companies operating in the Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market.
What years does this Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market cover?
The report covers the Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Saudi Arabia Ready Meals Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Saudi Arabia Ready Meals market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Saudi Arabia 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.
