Dinner Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Market Size - By Type (Instant Soups, Ready Meals, Instant Meat Products, Baked Products), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarket/Supermarket, E-commerce, Retail Stores) & Global Forecast 2023 – 2032

Dinner Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Market Size

Dinner Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Market size was worth over USD 14 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6% during 2023 to 2032.
 

The fast-paced modern lifestyle has led to an increasing demand for convenient and time-saving food options. According to the data by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment rate in the U.S. was over 60% in April 2023. With the rising rate of employment across the globe, the individuals have busy schedules and limited time for meal preparation. The availability of RTE foods present a quick and hassle-free solution for dinner. These meals offer the convenience of being pre-cooked and ready to consume, eliminating the need for extensive cooking and preparation time.

Additionally, the rapid urbanization and the growing number of single-person households are boosting the demand for dinner ready-to-eat food products. As more people live in urban areas with limited kitchen space and time constraints, RTE foods become an ideal dinner solution. These meals come in portioned sizes, reducing food wastage and catering to the specific needs of the consumers. The constant efforts by food manufacturers to provide healthier and more diverse RTE options will augment the market growth.
 

Dinner Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Market Growth Drivers & Restraints

Though the booming tourism sector is pushing the market growth with travelers often looking for convenient meal options during their trips, the growing awareness and concern among consumers regarding the health implications of consuming processed and pre-packaged foods will act as a major restraint. As consumers become more health-conscious, they are seeking fresh and nutritious meal alternatives, which may lead to a decline in the demand for RTE foods laden with preservatives and additives. Additionally, the increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies for stricter labeling and transparency regarding ingredients will restrict the expansion of dinner ready-to-eat food industry.
 

COVID-19 Impact

During the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals increasingly turned to RTE foods as a safe and convenient option for meals at home. The surge in demand for shelf-stable and easily accessible RTE products led to supply chain disruptions and production challenges for manufacturers. However, as the pandemic progressed, the industry adapted by emphasizing food safety measures, expanding online sales channels, and introducing more immunity-boosting and healthy RTE options. While the pandemic posed significant hurdles, it also encouraged innovations to meet evolving consumer needs, supporting the market revenue.
 

Dinner Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Market Trends

The increasing popularity of e-commerce and food delivery services has played a pivotal role in driving the RTE food market. Easy access to a wide range of RTE meals through online platforms and mobile apps make it even more convenient for consumers to order these meals at home or on the go. Moreover, the increasing globalization and cross-cultural interactions have led to a rise in the appreciation of diverse cuisines. The companies have capitalized on this trend by offering a wide array of international flavors and dishes, appealing to a broader customer base. Also, the availability of balanced and nutritious RTE meal for health-conscious customers is augmenting the market expansion.
 

Dinner Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Market Analysis

The ready meals segment of dinner ready-to-eat food market is poised to witness high demand during 2023 to 2032, attributed to the flexibility of choosing from a range of frozen ready meals, chilled ready-to-eat meals, canned meals, and dehydrated or shelf-stable meals that align with their lifestyles, dietary choices, and time constraints. Frozen ready meals offer longer shelf life and convenience, while chilled meals focus on freshness and minimal preservatives. Canned meals provide extended shelf life and portability, and dehydrated or shelf-stable meals are ideal for outdoor activities and emergencies.
 

The dinner RTE food market share from hypermarket/supermarket segment was 37% in 2022, as these stores play a pivotal role in the distribution and accessibility of the product. They offer a wide variety of RTE meal options, providing consumers with a one-stop shopping experience for their convenience food needs. With ample shelf space and efficient logistics, hypermarkets and supermarkets ensure a consistent supply of RTE products from various brands, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences. The extensive reach and popularity, supermarkets & hypermarkets meet the demands of consumers seeking quick & easy meal solutions during their regular grocery shopping, in turn adding to the market value.
 

North America dinner ready-to-eat food market was remunerated at USD 4 billion in 2022, driven by the fast-paced lifestyle of consumers and busy work culture in the region. With the growing number of single-person households and dual-income families, there is preference for quick & easy dinner solutions. With a strong presence RTE food industry players in the region, consumers have diverse options catering to various tastes and dietary preferences.
 

Moreover, the increasing focus on health & wellness is encouraging the development of healthier RTE choices, appealing to health-conscious consumers. With a robust distribution network through supermarkets, hypermarkets, and e-commerce platforms, North America will remain a lucrative avenue for market players.
 

Dinner Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Market Share

Some of the main dinner RTE food market participants are

• Nestlé S.A.
• Conagra Brands, Inc.
• The Kraft Heinz Company
• General Mills, Inc.
• Unilever Group
• Campbell Soup Company
• Hormel Foods Corporation
• Tyson Foods, Inc.
• Bakkavor Group plc
• The Schwan Food Company
   

Dinner Ready-to-Eat (RTE) Food Industry News

• In January 2023, Marico Limited, an Indian packaged consumer goods company, diversified its portfolio of packaged foods by introducing a line of ready-to-eat snacks. The new product offerings include Saffola Munchiez Ragi Chips and Saffola Munchiez Roasted Makhana, available in a range of flavors.
   
• In November 2022, the FDA initiated the process of permitting the sale of cultivated "no kill" meat in the United States. Upside Foods, a San Francisco-based start-up, received a safety approval from the FDA for its innovative approach to producing meat.
   

This dinner ready-to-eat (RTE) food market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) & volume (Kilo Tons) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Instant Soups
• Ready Meals
• Instant Meat Products
• Baked Products
• Others (including Ready-to-Eat Pasta Salad, Ready-to-Eat Curries, etc.)

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Hypermarket/Supermarket
• E-commerce
• Retail Stores

The above information has been provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt