Meal Kit Delivery Services Market - By Food Type (Ready-to-cook, Ready-to-eat), By Delivery Model (Subscription-based, On-demand), By Serving (Single, Multiple), Forecast 2023 - 2032

Meal Kit Delivery Services Market Size

Meal Kit Delivery Services Market size was valued at USD 17.4 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 14.5% between 2023 and 2032. The surging demand for customizable food options is fueling the market growth.
 

Consumers are seeking personalized culinary experiences that align with their dietary preferences, restrictions, and taste profiles. Meal kit services offer a wide range of customizable choices, from vegetarian & vegan options to keto & gluten-free meals. This flexibility caters to diverse needs and enhances the overall dining satisfaction of consumers. As a result, the appeal of personalized, chef-curated meals as per individual preferences is propelling the meal kit services industry expansion, captivating a broader and more loyal customer base.
 

The increasing adoption of meal kits, driven by the unparalleled convenience they offer, is a key factor fueling the market progress. Owing to their busy lifestyles, consumers value the time & efforts saved by having pre-portioned ingredients and chef-curated recipes conveniently delivered to their doorsteps. This streamlines meal preparation, eliminates the need for extensive grocery shopping, and simplifies meal planning. As a result, the convenience of meal kits attracts a wide audience, propelling the market's rapid expansion as these kits meet the evolving lifestyle demands of consumers. For instance, in May 2023, Home Chef, a leading meal solution brand available online and in stores, launched a new specifically designed Family menu. It offers a stress-free cooking routine with convenient & easy-to-make recipes for families.
 

High customer acquisition costs pose significant challenges in the meal kit delivery services market. With intense competition, companies must invest substantially in marketing and promotions to attract & retain customers. This includes advertising, discounts, and promotional campaigns. These costs can strain profit margins and require continuous customer engagement efforts to justify the investments. Maintaining a balance between customer acquisition expenses and revenue generation is critical for sustainable growth in this competitive and cost-sensitive industry.
 

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had positive impacts on the meal kit services market. As lockdowns and social distancing measures confined people to their homes, there was a surge in the demand for convenient, home-cooked meals. Meal kit services met this need by offering pre-portioned ingredients and recipes, minimizing grocery store visits. The pandemic also encouraged consumers to explore cooking as a hobby, making meal kits an appealing solution. This led to increased adoption and revenue growth for meal kit providers, solidifying their position in the food delivery industry.
 

Meal Kit Delivery Services Market Trends

The health & wellness trend in the market reflects growing a consumer preference for nutritious & balanced meals. With a heightened focus on well-being, customers seek options that align with their dietary goals such as vegetarian, vegan, or low-calorie meals. Meal kit providers are responding by offering a wider variety of health-conscious choices, incorporating fresh & whole ingredients, and providing nutritional information. This trend caters to the consumer desire for convenient yet wholesome dining solutions, boosting market expansion.
 

The trend of subscription flexibility in the market addresses evolving consumer preferences. In addition to traditional subscriptions, providers now offer options for one-time purchases, catering to those seeking occasional meal kits without long-term commitments. Furthermore, recognizing the diversity of households, meal kit companies offer family-sized portions, accommodating larger groups. This flexibility aligns with changing lifestyle dynamics, making meal kits accessible to a broader audience, driving customer retention, and ensuring that the industry remains adaptable to varying consumer needs.
 

Meal Kit Delivery Services Market Analysis

Based on food type, the meal kit delivery services market is divided into ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat. The ready-to-eat segment accounted for over 55% market share in 2022 and is expected to see significant growth within the market. As consumers increasingly seek convenience, this segment caters to those who desire fully prepared, ready-to-consume meals. It eliminates the need for any cooking or meal assembly, making it ideal for busy individuals and families.
 

Additionally, the growing demand for healthier & restaurant-quality options that can be enjoyed at home fuels this trend. Ready-to-eat meal kits offer an enticing solution, providing gourmet & chef-prepared dishes with minimal efforts, thereby attracting a broader customer base and contributing to market expansion. For instance, in August 2023, HelloFresh launched the Factor ready-to-eat brand in Europe, starting in the Netherlands and Belgium. This move reflects its plans for strategic expansion to tap into a broader customer base. It allowed HelloFresh to diversify its offerings, aligning with its multi-tier brand strategy, and capture new segments of consumers seeking convenient & restaurant-quality meal options, further solidifying its presence in the competitive market.
 

Based on the delivery model, the meal kit services market is categorized into subscription-based and on-demand. The subscription-based segment held around 60% business share in 2022. The subscription-based segment in the market is expected to grow owing to its unique appeal to consumers. Subscriptions offer convenience, predictability, and cost savings, making them attractive for busy individuals and families. As the meal kit market continues to innovate with flexible plans, customization options, and diverse menus, subscription models are likely to retain and expand their customer base. For instance, in July 2023, Just Add Vegan launched a seed round in Australia, contributing to the subscription-based segment growth. By introducing vegan-focused meal kits, the company serves consumers seeking specialized dietary options. This expansion offers more choices within the subscription model, attracting vegan enthusiasts and broadening the overall market appeal for subscription-based meal kits.
 

North America led the meal kit delivery services market with a share of over 35% in 2022 and is expected to see robust growth over the forecast period. The region's busy lifestyles and a growing appetite for convenience make meal kits attractive options. The pandemic-induced shift toward cooking at home has boosted demand. Meal kits align with evolving consumer preferences for healthy, customizable, and diverse meal options.
 

For instance, in January 2023, Factor expanded into Canada by introducing its ready-to-heat meal delivery service, offering chef-prepared & dietitian-approved meals for Canadian consumers. This move enabled the company to meet the growing demand for convenient, healthy dining options and extend its reach beyond the U.S., enhancing mealtime choices for Canadians by delivering restaurant-quality meals directly to their homes. Increased digitalization and tech-savvy consumers contribute to market expansion, with a focus on user-friendly online food delivery platforms and subscription models.
 

Meal Kit Delivery Services Market Share

Major players operating in the meal kit delivery services market are :

• Blue Apron LLC
• HelloFresh
• Sun Basket
• Marley Spoon Inc.
•  Purple Carrot
• Gobble
• Daily Harvest

These players are focused on strategic partnerships, new product launches, and commercialization efforts for market expansion. They are also heavily investing in research to introduce innovative products and garner the maximum market revenue.
 

Meal Kit Delivery Services Industry News

• In January 2023, Chef Sung of New Rochelle introduced an Asian meal kit service in response to the gap in the market during the pandemic. Recognizing the need for diverse, restaurant-quality dining experiences at home, this new service delivers chef-curated Asian meal kits, offering customers the opportunity to enjoy authentic & convenient Asian cuisine in the comfort of their own homes, satisfying the growing demand for culinary diversity owing to the pandemic-induced dining changes.
   

The meal kit delivery services market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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By Food Type, 2018 – 2032

• Ready-to-cook
• Ready-to-eat

By Delivery Model, 2018 – 2032

• Subscription-based
• On-demand

By Serving, 2018 – 2032

• Single
• Multiple

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • ANZ 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• MEA
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia