Global Instant Food Market Outlook, 2028

The rise in disposable income, shifting lifestyles, and rising demand for convenience foods are some of the reasons for the instant food market's expansion. A growing demand for healthier quick meal options is being driven by consumers' increased health consciousness. Products with natural ingredients, lower sodium levels, and enhanced nutritional profiles have been developed by producers as a result of this trend. Additionally, busy schedules for individuals and families are a result of rapid urbanisation and changing lifestyles. Time restrictions and the quest for quick meal alternatives have increased demand for quick food items. Because it is convenient and simple to prepare, quick food is frequently used by students, working adults, and residents of urban regions. The need for quick and easy eating options has increased as a result of how quickly modern life moves. For busy people who might not have the time or skills to create a meal from scratch, instant food solutions offer a quick and hassle-free solution. Consumers looking for convenience are drawn to the possibility to have a meal ready in a matter of minutes. Additionally, the market for instant foods has been significantly impacted by the globalisation of food culture and shifting dietary preferences. The desire for instant food products that offer quick access to these varied tastes has increased as people are exposed to more cuisines and flavours from around the world. For instance, instant noodles are becoming increasingly popular all over the world due to their convenience and capacity to accommodate different flavour profiles. Increasing awareness of environmental issues has influenced consumer preferences in the instant food market. Consumers are looking for sustainable packaging options, such as recyclable or biodegradable materials, and are favouring brands that demonstrate commitment to sustainable practices throughout their supply chains. Manufacturers are responding by adopting eco-friendly packaging solutions and implementing sustainable sourcing and production practices.

According to the research report, Global Instant Food Market Outlook, 2028 the market is anticipated to cross USD 233.82 Billion market size by 2028, increasing from USD 157.36 Billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow with 6.90% CAGR by 2023-28. Freeze-drying, also known as lyophilization, is a widely used technology in the production of instant food. It involves freezing the food product and then removing the water through sublimation, resulting in a lightweight, easily rehydratable product. Freeze-drying helps to preserve the flavor, texture, and nutritional content of the food while extending its shelf life. Furthermore, there is an increase used in retort processing, Retort processing is a method of heat sterilization that involves sealing food in airtight containers and subjecting them to high pressure and temperature. This technology helps to extend the shelf life of instant food products without the need for refrigeration. Retort processing ensures the safety and preservation of the food while maintaining its taste and quality. The global instant food market offers a wide range of product options to cater to different consumer preferences and dietary requirements. Instant food products encompass various categories, including ready-to-eat meals, soups, noodles, beverages, snacks, desserts, and more. These products come in different flavors, ingredient compositions, and nutritional profiles, providing consumers with a diverse selection to choose from. Instant food products have a strong global presence and are available in numerous countries worldwide. They have gained popularity in both developed and developing economies, catering to the needs of busy individuals, students, office workers, travellers, and those seeking convenient meal solutions. This global market presence highlights the widespread acceptance and demand for instant food products across different cultures and regions.

Based on Product type, the market is segmented into breakfast cereal, instant noodles &, pasta, snacks, instant ready meal, desserts and others. Among them the market is dominated by instant noodles & pasta. Instant noodles and pasta offer unmatched convenience and quick preparation. They are designed to be cooked and ready to eat within minutes, making them an ideal choice for consumers seeking a fast and hassle-free meal option. The simplicity of the cooking process, typically involving boiling in water or microwaving, appeals to busy individuals who have limited time for meal preparation. Instant noodles and pasta are widely available in various retail outlets, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and online platforms. They are often sold at affordable prices, making them accessible to a broad consumer base across different socio-economic backgrounds. The affordability factor has contributed to their widespread popularity and market dominance. The packaging type of the market includes Normal and Frozen. Normal packaging offers convenience and portability to consumers. The compact size of sachets, cups, or packets makes it easy to carry and store. These packaging formats are designed for single-serve portions, allowing consumers to enjoy the instant food product on the go, at work, or while traveling. The convenience and portability of normal packaging align with the need for quick and easy meal solutions. Normal packaging accommodates a wide variety of instant food formats, including powdered soups, sauces, seasoning mixes, instant noodles, and instant beverages. Different product formulations can be easily packaged in sachets, cups, or packets, providing flexibility for manufacturers to offer diverse options to consumers. This versatility contributes to the dominance of normal packaging in the global instant food market.

The distribution channel of the market of supermarket/hypermarket, departmental/convenience store, online store, others (specialty stores). Supermarket/ hypermarket are the major source of for distributing the instant food and is dominating the market of global instant food market. Supermarkets and hypermarkets offer a wide range of instant food products from various brands and manufacturers. These large retail establishments have the space and capacity to stock a diverse selection of instant food items, including ready-to-eat meals, noodles, snacks, beverages, and more. The extensive product selection allows consumers to compare different options and choose according to their preferences and dietary needs. Supermarkets and hypermarkets have a widespread presence in urban, suburban, and even rural areas. Their extensive network of stores ensures accessibility and availability of instant food products to a broad consumer base. Consumers can easily locate these retail establishments within their vicinity, making it convenient for regular grocery shopping, including the purchase of instant food items. Furthermore, during the forecast period online channel is expected to register highest CAGR of the market.

Asia-Pacific is leading the market of instant food market globally. The Asia-Pacific region is home to a significant portion of the world's population, including densely populated countries such as China and India. The large consumer base in these countries creates a substantial demand for convenient and ready-to-eat food options, including instant food products. Rapid urbanization, busy lifestyles, and a growing middle class in the Asia-Pacific region have led to increased demand for quick and convenient meal solutions. As more people enter the workforce and face time constraints, the need for instant food products that offer convenience and ease of preparation has risen significantly. Instant food products, such as instant noodles and ready-to-eat meals, align well with the cultural preferences and eating habits in many Asian countries. Noodles have long been a staple in Asian cuisine, and the introduction of instant noodles provided a convenient and affordable option for consumers. The popularity of instant noodles in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia has contributed to the dominance of the Asia-Pacific region in the global instant food market.

Based on breakfast cereal product type, market is divided into cold cereals and hot cereals. Cold cereal is leading the market with significant market share. Cold cereals are ready-to-eat and require minimal preparation. They can be enjoyed by simply adding milk or yogurt, making them a quick and convenient breakfast option. The ease of consumption appeals to busy individuals who value convenience and are seeking a hassle-free meal solution. Furthermore, Cold cereals offer a wide variety of options and allow for customization. Consumers can choose from a diverse range of cereal flavors, textures, and mix-ins to suit their preferences. They can also control the portion size and adjust the amount of milk or toppings according to their liking. This versatility and customization options make cold cereals appealing to a broad consumer base. Based on instant snacks market is segmented into potato products, popcorn, Cheese snacks, sandwich, rice cakes and others. Potato products snacks are widely consumed globally and are leading the market as well. Potato snacks have gained immense popularity and have become a staple in the snacking industry. They are widely consumed and enjoyed by people of all age groups, making them a highly sought-after snack option. The strong consumer demand for potato product snacks has propelled their market dominance. Potato product snacks are pre-packaged, ready-to-eat, and require no preparation or cooking. They offer instant gratification, making them a convenient snacking option for on-the-go consumption, social gatherings, or leisure activities. The ease of consumption aligns with the busy lifestyles of consumers seeking quick and hassle-free snack choices.

Based on the instant ready meal type, the market is bifurcated into Pizza, Burritos, Curry/Rice, Stier fry meals, sushi, Couscous, Quinoa Meals, Chicken, Meat & sea food and others. Among the Pizza is most commonly consumed as instant ready meals and is leading the market globally as well. Instant pizza tends to have a particular appeal among younger demographics, including college students, young professionals, and individuals seeking convenient and affordable meal options. The quick preparation time and affordability of instant pizza make it a popular choice for those with busy lifestyles or limited cooking skills. Instant pizza offers convenience as it can be quickly prepared and enjoyed within minutes. The pre-packaged pizza crust, sauce, and toppings allow for easy assembly, reducing the time and effort required for traditional pizza preparation. This convenience appeals to consumers seeking a quick and hassle-free meal option. Instant pizza offers a wide variety of flavors and toppings to cater to different tastes and preferences. Manufacturers have introduced numerous options, including classic combinations like cheese or pepperoni, as well as unique and gourmet flavors. This variety allows consumers to choose their preferred flavor profile, making instant pizza appealing to a diverse consumer base.

Companies mentioned in the report:

The Kellogg Company, Nestlé S.A., General Mills, Inc., The Kraft Heinz Company, McCain Foods Limited, Hormel Foods Corporation, Calbee, Inc, Conagra Brands, Inc, Nomad Foods Limited, Himalya International Ltd., Dr. Oetker , Ebro Foods, S.A., Barilla Group, JBS S.A, Premier Foods plc, Greencore Group plc, Quinoa Corporation, Quaker Oats Company, Agthia Group PJSC , Amy's Kitchen.

Considered in this report

• Geography: Global
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report

• Global Instant Food market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Region-wise Instant Food market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Regions & Countries covered in the report:

• North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Russia)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)
• Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa)

By Products:

• Breakfast Cereal
• Instant Noodles & pasta
• Snacks
• Instant ready Meal
• Desserts
• Others

By Packaging:

• Normal
• Frozen

By Distribution Channel:

• Supermarket/Hypermarket
• Departmental/Convenience Store
• Online Store
• Others (Specialty Stores)

By Instant Breakfast Cereal:

• Cold Cereals
• Hot Cereals

By Instant Snacks:

• Potato products
• Pop corn
• Cheese snacks
• Sandwich
• Rice Cakes
• Others

By Instant Ready Meals:

• Pizza
• Burritos
• Curry/Rice
• Stier fry meals
• Sushi
• Couscous
• Quinoa Meals
• Chicken
• Meat & sea food
• Others

By Instant Dessert:

• Waffles
• Pan Cake
• Cheese cake
• Others (Instant Sweets Mix)

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analysing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Instant Food industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.