Canned Food Market Report 2026

The canned food market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $118.45 billion in 2025 to $122.8 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to urbanization and changing dietary habits, expansion of food processing infrastructure, rising demand for long shelf-life foods, growth of retail distribution networks, increased canned food affordability.

The canned food market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $143.19 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing health-conscious consumption patterns, rising demand for premium and organic canned foods, expansion of emergency preparedness food stocks, innovation in flavor and product variety, growth in global trade and packaged food demand. Major trends in the forecast period include Rising demand for convenient shelf-stable meal solutions, Growth in ready-to-eat canned meal varieties, Increasing preference for fortified and nutrient-enriched canned foods, Expansion of premium and gourmet canned food offerings, Growing consumption driven by urban lifestyle and time-constrained consumers.

The growing demand for ready-to-eat meals is anticipated to drive the expansion of the canned food market in the coming years. Ready-to-eat meals are defined as pre-prepared and portioned food products that can be consumed with little or no additional cooking. Demand for ready-to-eat meals is increasing primarily due to urban consumers’ rising preference for time-efficient meal solutions, driven by busy work schedules and longer commuting durations. Canned food meets this demand by providing shelf-stable, ready-to-eat formats that do not require refrigeration and can be stored for extended periods. For example, in 2025, according to Statistisches Bundesamt, a Germany-based statistical office, the growth in ready-made meal production continued, with output valued at approximately $4.9 billion during the first three quarters, representing a nominal increase of 2.8% compared to $4.8 billion recorded during the same period of 2024. Therefore, the growing demand for ready-to-eat meals is fueling the growth of the canned food market.

Leading companies operating in the canned food market are increasingly emphasizing plant-based, shelf-stable protein innovations to address evolving dietary preferences and broaden product versatility. These offerings apply traditional canning expertise to provide convenient, long-lasting, and ready-to-use alternatives that align with regional cuisines and contemporary consumption patterns. For example, in December 2023, Ayam Brand, a Singapore-based food company, introduced Yumeat, a plant-based protein range tailored for Asian dishes and local taste preferences. The initial portfolio includes plant-based luncheon meat and minced meat with bean paste, packaged in sterilized cans for extended shelf life without refrigeration. This development supports the rising shift toward plant-based and convenient food solutions, however, long-term adoption may depend on consumer acceptance of taste, texture, and price competitiveness compared to conventional canned meat products.

In March 2025, Thai Union Group, a Thailand-based provider of seafood products, acquired the remaining stake in Chicken of the Sea, increasing its ownership to 100% for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Thai Union Group seeks to expand its presence in the global canned seafood segment by strengthening its brand portfolio and enhancing distribution capabilities across North America and international markets. Chicken of the Sea is a US-based provider of canned seafood products, offering tuna, salmon, and other shelf-stable protein products.

Major companies operating in the canned food market are Nestlé S.A., The Kraft Heinz Company, General Mills Inc., Conagra Brands Inc., Hormel Foods Corporation, Campbell Soup Company, Dole plc, Orkla ASA, Del Monte Foods Inc., Thai Union Group Public Company Limited, Bonduelle SCA, Princes Limited, Goya Foods Inc., Bumble Bee Foods LLC, Bush Brothers & Company, Dongwon Industries Co. Ltd., Bolton Group S.r.l., Ayam Brand, Crown Prince Inc., Grupo Calvo S.A.

North America was the largest region in the canned food market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the canned food market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the canned food market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The canned food market consists of sales of canned ready meals, canned beans and legumes, canned sauces, and canned pet food. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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