Ethnic Foods Market Size, Share and Growth Analysis Report - Forecast Trends and Outlook (2025-2034)

The ethnic foods market was valued at USD 64.24 Billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.50% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. The market is mainly due to the diverse cultures that globalization brings. Multiculturalism and a rise in migration have increased demand for international cuisines. Most consumers want to discover new flavors and different culinary traditions, and this has increased interest in ethnic food products by supermarkets through restaurants and foodservice outlets. In turn, these factors have resulted in the market attaining a valuation of USD 145.25 Billion by 2034.

Ethnic Foods Market Overview

The global ethnic foods market has grown since demand for more authentic, diverse, and ready-to-eat foods has accelerated. As globalization and cultural exchanges flourished, so has an adventurous approach to food by consumers who are typically seeking flavors and foods from countries around the world. This is mostly seen in the Western markets, where multicultural populations become much more curious about global tastes. The scope of ethnic foods such as Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Mediterranean, African, and Middle Eastern has now become permanent in supermarkets, restaurants, and food service outlets.

Hence, mainstreaming is likely to increase the importance of retail in mobilizing the market itself through mainstream supermarket and grocery ethnic aisle sales growth. This not only proves the rising acceptance and mainstream demand for ethnic foods, but they are also much more usable in everyday shopping. Further, the market growth is driven primarily by cultural influences, demographic changes, and rising awareness of cuisines around the world. Companies dealing with ethnic food are tapping those growth lines by introducing large varieties of ready-to-eat meals, spices, and ingredients that meet the changing taste of consumers around the world. In addition, the trend of sharing exotic food has augmented the ethnic foods demand.

Ethnic Foods Market Growth

Globalizing ethnic foods has majorly contributed to the growth of the ethnic foods market, particularly in ready-to-eat and easily prepared dishes. This change has of late been conditioned by the busy lifestyles of consumers and their thinking toward fast, nutritious, and tasteful meal consumption. As pre-packaged ethnic food products gain ground, ready-to-eat meals, frozen ethnic dishes, and meal kits featuring authentic ingredients are getting more popular. The mainstream supermarket retailing and or online platforms are likely to make it easier for international cuisines to get to customers. Further, consumers are trending to enjoy eating cleaning authentic tastes from Indian, Chinese, or Mexican cuisines without needing to spend hours preparing these cuisines from scratch.

A significant niche in driving growth of the global ethnic foods market tends to be the foodservice industry. The increase in interest in ethnic cuisines has led to an increase in standalone restaurants, fast-casual dining, and food delivery services, which in most cases are making attempts to diversify their menus to have various options for choice. Today, ethnic foods have practically become everyday dining for either an independent restaurant or a large chain by simply trying to satisfy consumers loyal to variety and adventure in food. Another factor to be noted here is that the increase in population, caused by multiculturalism, have also made inroads into lunch venues as this appetite essentially cooks up a growing interest in authentic, inspired-from-around-the-world dishes in the restaurants. It has also opened up significant market prospects for ethnic food brands in food service and hospitality sectors, driving continued growth of the market.

Key Trends and Developments

Key trends noticed in the global ethnic foods market are the burgeoning popularity of Asian cuisine, rising trend of health and wellness, and popularity of ready-to-eat meals are key trends aiding the market growth.

August 2024

The prestigious ethnic business awards for migrants and First Nations people in Australia announced that it is launching its alumni association which includes all past winners and finalists. The launch of the alumni association for migrant and First Nations entrepreneurs in Australia highlights the growing recognition and support for ethnic food businesses, encouraging innovation and expansion within the sector, and increasing ethnic foods market visibility.

July 2024

Ahura Restaurants Pvt. Ltd., based in India, announced the international expansion of its flagship brand, Mirch Masala with the opening of its two new Mirch Masala restaurants in Canada, and the USA. The international expansion of Mirch Masala into Canada and the USA signals a growing demand for ethnic Indian cuisine in North America, providing a strong push for the ethnic foods market through increased availability and accessibility of authentic products and dining experiences.

March 2024

Omsom, an Asian food startup, aims to expand its range of Asian cooking sauces and packaged spicy noodles in America. As of March 2024, the startup had sold more than 4 million products since its launch in 2020. Omsom’s expansion in the U.S. with its range of Asian cooking sauces and noodles reflects the increasing popularity of ethnic Asian cuisines, especially among American consumers seeking easy-to-prepare, authentic ethnic food options.

April 2022

Foo Foods, a value-added food product brand, enhanced the availability of ethnic foods by expanding its presence in online retail stores. Foo Foods’ focus on enhancing availability through online retail makes ethnic foods more accessible to a wider audience, capitalising on the growing trend of e-commerce and the demand for convenient, high-quality ethnic food products.

Burgeoning Popularity of Asian Cuisine

The growth of the immigrant population as well as the rising demand for bold flavours from consumers is a crucial trend of ethnic foods market. As per the data on Yelp’s 2024 Top 100 Places to Eat in the United States, around one-fourth of the independent restaurants on this list serve Asian or Asian fusion food. Indian dish, Chicken Biryani is one of the most popular non-vegetarian dishes abroad. Further, one of the emerging Asian foods is Ramen, or specifically, chilled Ramen, which maintains its integrity for a long time and can be customised between the noodle base, broth, and vegetable, among others. Moreover, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai restaurants are found in every state in the United States with sushi becoming one of the most popular dishes in the country.

Rising Trend of Health and Wellness

A wide range of Asian dishes are vegan and known for their emphasis on fresh and wholesome ingredients. As per Thomas’s 2024 food trend prediction, the demand for vegan ethnic foods such as vegan eggs and fish is expected to grow in the coming years. Ethnic food brands are further increasingly incorporating plant-based proteins, and products such as tofu, chickpeas, and lentils, among others, due to their high nutritional value and health benefits, which boosts the ethnic foods market value. Moreover, Mediterranean, and Asian diets are known for their lower risks of chronic diseases compared to other dishes due to their emphasis on fresh ingredients and balanced meals, which makes them popular among health-conscious consumers.

Popularity of Ready-to-Eat Meals

The increasing availability of ready-to-eat (RTE) ethnic meals and meal kits has simplified the process for consumers to enjoy international cuisines at home. Several companies in this sector are making efforts in the frozen and packaged foods market to provide authentic dishes that need little preparation. These food products save around 50% of the consumer’s time for meal prep, making them popular among urban regions where the population of working professionals is high, and increases the ethnic foods market revenue. With the rising demand for halal food, M&S Food (Marks & Spencer) has made a range of 6 halal food authority-certified prepared meals available at 36 M&S stores nationwide. Dishes such as Indian Tikka Masala and East Asian ramen are becoming popular in the frozen and packaged food aisles.

Rising Demand for Fusion Cuisines

Ethnic food brands are readily experimenting with fusion cuisines by integrating flavours and culinary methods from various cultures. This trend has become popular in urban environments where a variety of food preferences converge, resulting in the creation of dishes such as Korean-Mexican tacos and Japanese-Peruvian sushi. Chefs and food entrepreneurs increasingly experimenting with traditional recipes, blending them with elements from other culinary traditions to create innovative dishes, are also contributing to these ethnic foods market trends. For instance, the combination of Korean and Mexican cuisines has led to the creation of dishes such as kimchi quesadillas and bulgogi burritos.

Ethnic Foods Market Opportunities

The most significant opportunity in the global ethnic foods market lies in exposing the ethnic food offerings to the mainstream supermarkets. The continuing rise in consumer inclination toward global cuisines creates an opportunity for the supermarkets to stretch the ethnic foods aisles in its stores. This can mean offering wider assortments of authentic ethnic products-from spices, sauces, to ready-to-eat meals-to satisfy the growing demand for convenience without compromising authenticity. Additionally, the emerging multiculturalism coupled with growing interest in world flavors offer the supermarkets a unique opportunity to stock an even wider diversity of readily available international culinary experience at home for the customers in terms of diversity.

Another promising opportunity for ethnic foods market growth can be explored through ethnic fast-casual restaurants and service delivery. The fast-paced demand for ethnic food coupled with busy modes of living has inspired the interest in delivering food through app channels and in fast casual restaurants with ethnic menus. Most narrow ethnicities such as Mexicans, Indians, and Asians have become part of the food culture. Such conversion takes place mostly within urban areas in the country. Companies in this space, can then take advantage of this opportunity by offering quality and ready-to-eat ethnic cuisine through restaurant outlets, delivery services, and even cloud kitchens, making authentic global cuisine more accessible.

Ethnic Foods Market Trends

Changing consumer preferences and health awareness is an important driver for the ethnic foods market growth. Mediterranean, Indian, and Asian cuisines are rich in such fresh ingredients, spices, and herbs with nutritional benefits. These well-known ethnic cuisines are drawing more and more consumers who are looking forward to enjoying the purported health benefits, including lower fat, higher fiber composition, and an anti-inflammatory effect. As health becomes a floating concern in their choice of food, there is an increasing popularity of ethnic foods promoting an ideal combination of a balanced diet and natural ingredients. This stimulates the demand for real and wholesome global cuisines channeling through retail and foodservice channels.

The convenience factor has also driven the growing ethnic foods market, especially when it concerns readily available and simple-prep options for ethnic foods. Busy lifestyles with more people working have led consumers to look for quick solutions to their meals without compromising on taste or authenticity. This leads to increased demand for packaged ethnic meals, frozen products, and meal kits, all of which facilitate making global dishes at home with minimal effort. Supermarkets and online food platforms are taking this trend toward increasing provisioning of ethnic food items, giving the growing need for convenience along with authentic culinary experiences.

Ethnic Foods Market Restraints

• Ethnic cuisines often require specific and authentic ingredients that may not be easily found in local markets, leading to a reliance on imported products. This dependence can disrupt the supply chain, especially due to global events such as trade disputes.
• A major challenge is the varying levels of acceptance of ethnic foods in different regions. Urban and multicultural areas tend to be more open to trying ethnic dishes, while rural and more homogeneous regions are less likely to try unfamiliar flavours. This difference in acceptance limits market penetration and complicates the efforts of ethnic food brands to expand widely, which can affect the ethnic foods demand forecast.
• Furthermore, ethnic food producers may face strict regulations and standards in many areas, particularly in developed markets like the United States. For instance, under the Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA), implemented by the FDA, ethnic food producers must adhere to preventive controls that ensure food is safely processed, stored, and transported and can provide hindrance to the market.

Ethnic Foods Industry Segmentation

“Ethnic Foods Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Culture

• American
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Mexican
• Italian
• Others

Market Breakup by Type

• Food Service
• Ready-to-eat

Market Breakup by Distribution Channel

• Restaurants
• Stores
• Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online Stores
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Ethnic Foods Market Share

By Culture Insights

The American cuisine in the ethnic foods market is basically driven by the richness of varieties of immigrant communities as it poses a very rich palate of international flavors and thereby generates a good demand for ethnic food from the mainstream foodservice and retail markets. The popularity of the Chinese cuisines is led by the huge diaspora of Chinese tastes with deep cultural roots and hence, it makes them familiar in most restaurants, thus contributing to the increasing demand for authentic ingredients. Japanese cuisines are generally made of healthy, fresh food and unprecedented, unique taste. Sushi, ramen, and teriyaki show up more and more in most countries, driven by a growing interest in healthfulness, simplicity in preparation, and influence from popular culture, movies, and media. Mexican food is globally popular for its strong flavors and extensive accessibility with versatility, i.e. Mexican street food such as tacos and salsas. Italian dishes are also enjoyed by most countries across the globe on account of its comfort and familiar flavor in dishes like pasta and pizza.

By Type Insights

The food-service segment is one of the key drivers of the global ethnic foods market growth, where the demand for various experiences from the point of view of consumerism becomes more intense. The many restaurants, cafes, and fast-casual markets have incorporated ethnic foods in their offerings as the appetite for global flavors keeps increasing. Further, the demand for ready-to-eat ethnic foods has been rising rapidly among busy consumers looking for authentic meals on the go. Ethnic RTE meals-prepared, frozen, packaged, or shelf-stable-have gained importance because of the busy lifestyles.

By Distribution Channel Insights

As per the ethnic foods industry analysis, restaurants account for a significant share of the market and include establishments that offer prepared meals reflecting a variety of cultures and cuisines, catering to consumers who enjoy dining out or using takeout and delivery options. Many ethnic restaurants focus on traditional recipes, ingredients, and cooking methods to provide an authentic dining experience. Moreover, retail stores, especially supermarkets and grocery stores, form the backbone of the ethnic foods markets growth. This trend towards convenience from the consumer end has made supermarkets stock entire aisles with ethnic products ranging from ingredients to ready-made meals. The phenomenal expansion in the market has occurred for ethnic food because people live chiefly in various parts of the world but want to replicate restaurant-style ethnic meals at home.

Ethnic Foods Market Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific Ethnic Foods Market Dynamics

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to have the fastest growth rate in the ethnic food industry because of the increasing population and urbanisation. The young generation with increasing disposable income are leading the market growth. This leads to a surge in the demand for their ethnic food cuisines which boosts the growth of the ethnic foods industry. The westernization in nations such as India is changing the food habits of customers with many looking for different tastes. This growing demand has led companies such as Kraft Heinz to upgrade its production facilities in Indonesia to cater to both local and regional markets. Furthermore, there has been a significant rise in digital and e-commerce platforms offering ethnic food products, enhancing consumer access and promoting growth across the region.

North America Ethnic Foods Market Drivers

The North America ethnic foods market is also experiencing substantial growth because of the strong demand for ethnic products like Asian sauce. The United States has witnessed a rise in the Asian population and many Asian cuisines such as Thai and Indian have captured people's tastebuds which have further fueled the ethnic foods demand. Around 85% of U.S. counties have at least one Mexican restaurant, with their highest availability in California and Texas. Moreover, Chinese Americans account for around a quarter of Asians living in the United States, whereas Japanese Americans account for around 7% of the U.S. Asian population, which has created lucrative opportunities for Chinese and Japanese food.

Europe Ethnic Foods Market Trends

The ethnic food market in Europe is driven by the growing immigrant population and an increasing interest in diverse culinary experiences. In countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, consumers are looking for new flavours and healthier options, which boosts the demand of ethnic foods market. Furthermore, the rise of food tourism and the presence of multicultural communities in these areas is aiding the market growth. As of January 1, 2023, 27.3 million people of the European Union (EU) population were non-EU citizens, which has created lucrative opportunities for different kinds of ethnic foods in the region.

Latin America Ethnic Foods Market Growth

The ethnic foods market in Latin America is experiencing a rise in consumption of ethnic foods, due to a growing awareness of health issues. For instance, foods that are organic, non-GMO, or gluten-free are gaining popularity among consumers. Moreover, Universities in Latin America, such as the National University of Colombia, the University of Antioquia, and the University of Berkeley, have developed courses in organic production, which is expected to aid the growth of organic food, including ethnic foods. As a greater number of Latin Americans embrace healthier living, they are increasingly drawn to international cuisines that align with their dietary choices, aiding the ethnic foods demand growth.

Middle East and Africa Ethnic Foods Market Outlook

In the Middle East and Africa, the growing population of tourists has led to a surge in demand for ethnic foods. For instance, Saudi Arabia has a large population of expats, with 41.6% of its residents being immigrants. The majority of expats in the country are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a smaller number from North America and Europe. As per the ethnic foods market dynamics and trends, major cities like Dubai have become hubs for diverse culinary experiences, catering to a wide range of demographics. Additionally, the rise of supermarket chains and online shopping platforms has greatly enhanced the availability of ethnic foods.

Competitive Landscape

Major ethic foods market players are engaging in mergers, acquisitions, and investments, expansions of capacity, and plant turnarounds. Ethnic food companies are expanding their product lines to include a wide variety of authentic and culturally diverse options which includes ready-to-eat meals, spice blends, sauces, frozen products, and packaged meal kits, among others, which consist of traditional recipes from various regions. Furthermore, some companies are collaborating with local chefs and culinary experts to maintain authenticity.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. is a prominent Japanese food and biotechnology company, with its headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Founded in 1909, the company is well-known for its production of food seasonings, especially monosodium glutamate (MSG), which has contributed significantly to its global reputation.

McCormick & Company

McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a leading American multinational food corporation in the ethnic foods market, based in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Established in 1889, the company focuses on the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning blends, condiments, and flavoring products, catering to both retail and food service markets.

Associated British Foods PLC (ABF)

Associated British Foods PLC (ABF) is a British multinational company for food processing and retail, with its headquarters in London, UK. It was founded in 1935 and since then ABF has diversified its operations across various sectors, including sugar production, grocery items, agriculture, and food ingredients, among others.

General Mills Inc.

General Mills Inc., established in 1866 and located in Mississippi is a leading player in the ethnic foods space. The company’s principal products include Old El Paso taco shell or Takis snacks. They entirely focus on new developments or introductions of new products with a particular emphasis on its market-to-global operations, specifically found in the developing countries.

Other major ethnic foods market players are Paulig Group, among others.

Innovative Startups in Ethnic Foods Market

Startups are increasingly focusing on clean-label, non-GMO, organic, and sustainably sourced ingredients. Due to the rising demand from health-conscious consumers for ethnic cuisine, these companies are adapting traditional recipes to offer gluten-free, vegan, and low-sodium versions of classic dishes to enhance their appeal. Many businesses and startups in the ethnic foods market are also focusing on authenticity in their branding and storytelling. By showcasing the cultural heritage, history, and culinary traditions linked to their products, they appeal to consumers looking for more than just a meal.

Omsom

Established in 2020, Omsom is a startup based in New York that specializes in providing authentic Asian pantry essentials and meal starter kits. The brand is dedicated to offering genuine, robust Asian flavors which are inspired by Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean culinary traditions. Omsom partners with esteemed chefs from these regions to ensure the authenticity of its meals. Its meal starters enable consumers to effortlessly prepare traditional Asian dishes at home while maintaining exceptional taste and quality.

Diaspora Co.

Diaspora Co., a spice startup launched in 2017, aims to launch sustainably sourced, premium Indian spices to the international market. The company collaborates directly with farmers in India, ensuring fair trade practices and supplying fresh, single-origin spices. The company prioritizes transparency, ethical sourcing, and the support of traditional farming techniques, establishing itself as a prominent company in the market.