The global frozen food market is experiencing a notable surge in revenue, largely fueled by demographic and lifestyle shifts worldwide. A significant driver behind this growth is the increasing number of young people relocating to urban centers and choosing to live independently. This urban migration fosters a demand for convenient, quick meal solutions that fit busy, often solitary lifestyles.
Chicago, Jan. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to recent data from Astute Analytica, the global frozen food market was valued at US$ 450.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 722.5 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.
Households and foodservice operators are increasingly redefining their priorities, placing equal importance on convenience and nutritional quality when selecting frozen food products. This notable shift has been significantly influenced by advancements in freezing technology, particularly the adoption of Individual Quick-Frozen (IQF). Unlike traditional blast-freezing methods, IQF excels at preserving the texture and nutrient density of ingredients, ensuring that frozen foods maintain their fresh-like qualities.
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In 2025, ready-to-cook products emerged as the dominant segment within the frozen food market. These products cater to consumers who desire the convenience of quick meal preparation combined with the experience of cooking fresh ingredients at home. The popularity of ready-to-cook options reflects the evolving lifestyle demands of modern consumers, especially those balancing busy schedules with a desire for wholesome meals.
Expanded Cold-Chain Capacity: Enabling Broader Reach
In 2024, expanded cold-chain capacity stands out as one of the most significant investments shaping the frozen food market’s future. A major focus of this capital outlay is the construction of advanced cold-storage facilities equipped with state-of-the-art refrigeration technologies. Among these, ultra-low-carbon trans-critical CO₂ refrigeration systems have become increasingly prevalent, with over 5,600 European stores adopting them by 2024. These systems offer a substantial reduction in energy consumption—cutting power use by up to 14 megawatt-hours annually per location compared to older hydrofluorocarbon-based refrigeration setups.
Beyond refrigeration hardware, logistics companies are integrating cutting-edge Internet-of-Things (IoT) telemetry into cold-chain management to ensure product quality and safety. For example, Maersk’s Captain Peter platform exemplifies this innovation by continuously monitoring container temperatures every 15 minutes. This real-time data capture enables instant alerts if sensitive frozen items—such as shrimp dumplings or cauliflower crusts—deviate by as little as 0.5 °C from their optimal temperature ranges.
Integration of Cuisine Diversification: Emphasizing Market Revenue Growth
One of the most influential trends reshaping the frozen food market is the increasing integration of diverse global cuisines. Consumers today are more adventurous and curious, seeking to explore new culinary experiences from around the world. This appetite for variety is driven not only by a desire to try new flavors but also by a growing sense of cultural curiosity and the appeal of culinary homogenization—where global tastes become more accessible and familiar. In Western markets, this has translated into rising popularity for cuisines such as Indian, Japanese, Mexican, and Mediterranean.
This diversification trend is strongly supported by demographic shifts, particularly the growth of multicultural societies in countries like Canada and Australia. In these nations, immigrants make up more than 20% of the population, creating a vibrant demand for authentic ethnic foods that reflect their cultural heritage. This expanding consumer base has encouraged frozen food producers to develop products that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences, from traditional recipes to innovative fusion dishes.
Ready-Meals Segment to Push Market Growth Forward
In 2024, the ready-meals segment has solidified its position as a leading force in the frozen food market, capturing a commanding 29.6% share. This growth is largely driven by the evolving demands of city dwellers and the realities of longer workweeks, which emphasize convenience and speed. Single-person households and busy professionals, in particular, are fueling this surge as they seek meals that require minimal preparation time without sacrificing quality.
This division manifests as a bifurcation between ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat offerings. Ready-to-cook meals primarily appeal to families who enjoy planning and preparing dinners together, valuing the balance between convenience and the cooking experience. On the other hand, ready-to-eat meals cater to consumers looking for fast, hassle-free options suitable for quick lunches or last-minute dinners.
Recognizing these distinct consumer needs, manufacturers are innovating by blurring the traditional boundaries between these two subcategories. They are introducing hybrid products that combine the best of both worlds, such as pre-seasoned raw proteins that can be cooked in just eight minutes, alongside fully cooked bowls that only require a brief sear to enhance texture.
Asia Pacific Exhibits 38% of Revenue Share
The Asia Pacific region commands a dominant position in the frozen food market, accounting for over 38% of the total revenue share. This leadership stems from the combination of its massive population scale and the rapid modernization of supply chains across the area. Home to approximately 3.2 billion consumers, more than half of whom—over 1.6 billion—reside in urban centers connected by advanced cold-chain corridors that span key hubs from Shanghai to Bengaluru. This urban density supports a daily distribution volume of roughly 54 million frozen meal packs, which flow through supermarkets, convenience stores, and food-service distributors.
The region’s frozen food market dominance is primarily driven by four countries, each contributing uniquely to the landscape. China leads with the largest retail value, fueled by its 920 million urban dwellers and an extensive network of 310,000 modern retail outlets. These outlets stock popular frozen products such as dumplings, seafood, and bakery dough, catering to evolving consumer preferences. India follows closely with 540 million urban consumers and significant government-backed investments in cold-chain infrastructure. Over the past eighteen months, India’s government has allocated USD 1.1 billion in grants aimed at expanding blast freezer capacity and reefer truck fleets.
Japan ranks third among these powerhouses, boasting approximately 56,000 convenience stores that collectively sell nearly 8 billion frozen units annually, including onigiri, gyoza, and desserts. The widespread availability of microwave-equipped kiosks in these stores enables instant consumption, further driving frozen food popularity. South Korea rounds out the leading group, where per-capita expenditure on frozen foods has doubled in just six years. This growth is supported by a robust network of 18,000 quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and the surge in single-serve frozen meals like tteokbokki bowls, which have gained immense popularity through fast delivery platforms such as Coupang Rocket Delivery.
Plant-Based Offerings: Rising Health-Conscious Shoppers Globally
The freezer aisles are transforming into vibrant lifestyle hubs as more consumers prioritize health and wellness without compromising convenience. Shoppers are increasingly drawn to premium, plant-based, and function-forward meals that align with their wellness goals. This shift is particularly evident in the plant-based frozen food market, which has experienced notable growth. Between 2022 and 2023, the share of plant-based frozen meal sales surged from 12% to 22%, reflecting a growing willingness among consumers to invest in healthier, plant-focused options.
Brands that introduce frozen product ranges centered on clean ingredients, bold global flavors, and specific health benefits are able to carve out strong differentiation in this competitive market. Products offering high protein content, support for gut health, or calorie control resonate well with today’s consumers. These offerings attract a diverse group, including flexitarians who blend plant-based options with other diets, busy professionals seeking convenient yet nutritious meals, and health-conscious households focused on quality, taste, and nutritional value.
Top Players in Frozen Food Market:
- Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
- Associated British Foods PLC
- CJ Foods
- ConAgra Brands, Inc.
- General Mills Inc.
- Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. De C.V
- Grupo Bimbo
- Kellogg Company
- Lantmannen Unibake International
- Maruha Nichiro Holding Inc.
- McCain Foods Limited
- Nestle SA
- NH Foods Ltd.
- Nichirei Corporation
- Nippon Suisan
- The Kraft Heinz Company
- Tyson Foods, Inc.
- Unilever
- Other Prominent Players
Market Segmentation Overview:
By Product Type
- Fruits
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- Seasonal
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- Regular
- Vegetables
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- Peas
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- Corn
-
- Potatoes
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- Others
- Dairy Products
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- Milk
-
- Butter
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- Cheese
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- Others
- Meat & Poultry
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- Red Meat
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- Pork Meat
- Poultry Meat
- Seafood
- Bakery Products
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- Bread
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- Pizza Crust
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- Cakes & Pastries
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- Others
- Soups
- Ready Meals
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- Dumplings
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- Rice-based
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- Italian (Pastas)
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- Indian
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- Korean
-
- Chinese
-
- Others
- Others
By Distribution Channel
- Retail
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- Online
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- Supermarket/ Hypermarket
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- Convenience Stores/ Standalone Stores
- Enterprise Sale (B2B)
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- HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurants, Café) – Food Service
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- Travel (Railway/ Airline/ Others)
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- Educational Institutes
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- Food Processing Industry
By Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Middle East & Africa
- South America
For more information about this report visit: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/frozen-food-market
About Astute Analytica
Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements.
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CONTACT: Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/
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