Thanks to its strength in the North American market, where it is a leading player in a number of categories, including ready meals, pickled products and tomato pastes and purées, ConAgra is a top 10 player in cooking ingredients and meals globally. Although it is very heavily exposed to its reliance on a single regional market, ConAgra is expected to continue growing, given the expertise it has within the areas that it operates

Unilever is the number two player in global cooking ingredients and meals, mainly thanks to its leadership of the sauces, dips and condiments category, although it also has a significant presence in meals and soups. Unilever continued to close the gap on leading player Kraft Heinz in 2024, with expectations that it could even overtake it in the coming years.

Meals and soups in India is set to maintain significant retail volume growth in 2024, along with even more dynamic retail current value growth. Traditional Indian meals often take a great deal of time and effort to prepare. With lifestyles becoming busier, especially in urban areas in tier-1 and tier-2 cities, an increasing number of people are on the lookout for convenient meal options. Most sales are accounted for by shelf stable ready meals, dried ready meals, and dry soup, all of which are e

Value sales continued to be relatively low for meals and soups in Algeria in 2024 and with most offerings being imported, they are too expensive for the average consumer. Significant depreciation of the Algerian dinar over recent years has also made imported brands even more expensive. As such, meals and soup registered minimal volume growth. Dry soup continued to account for most value sales.

In 2024, retail volume and current value sales of meals and soups are expected to grow steadily in Thailand, driven primarily by the strong sales of chilled and frozen ready meals. This growth is being fuelled by the rising consumer demand for convenience, active product innovation, and greater shelf visibility across key channels such as convenience stores and hypermarkets. As the demand for quick and hassle-free dining options grows, these ready meals offer significant opportunities for growth

Ready meals is expected to remain the only category within meals and soups in Vietnam with notable sales in 2024. This category is set to record retail volume and current value growth in 2024, driven by strength in dried ready meals and shelf stable ready meals. Nonetheless, the overall ready meals category in Vietnam is facing challenges due to the ongoing economic uncertainty, which has impacted consumer behaviour. Consumers have become increasingly price-sensitive, opting for more affordable

The market for meals and soups in Indonesia experienced another year of positive growth in 2024, both in volume and current value terms. Frozen ready meals and frozen soups remained the dominant subcategories by retail value, largely driven by the increasingly fast-paced lifestyles of consumers, especially Gen Zs and millennials. Another key factor contributing to this trend is the shift towards smaller household sizes, where there is typically less domestic help. As a result, primary caregivers

In meals and soups, the supply of prepared salads has been impacted by the Israel-Hamas war. Strauss Group has a production facility in Gaza and was closed for one month following the start of the war. Manufacturers have been unable to maintain production levels due to fluctuations in staffing. Tnuva Food Industries has faced issues at the production facility for its Ma’adanut frozen pizza, which uses ammonia to freeze the pizza and maintain freshness. With the factory situated near Gaza, the co

Meals and soups posted a solid performance in Switzerland in 2024. This can be attributed to the establishment of hybrid work formats, and convenience and on-the-go consumption trends. The category also experienced price increases due to higher costs for manufacturers, global inflationary pressures and supply chain issues. This helped boost current value growth.

The prices of meals and soups in Tunisia are recording an historical increase in 2024 due to inflation and increased production costs. As a result, demand is stagnating in the year. Meals and soups brands target upper-income consumers and foreigners, and are mostly sold in modern grocery retailers such as supermarkets and hypermarkets. With limited demand, companies are not actively supporting sales by encouraging consumers with promotions or advertising campaigns.

Meals and soups in Cameroon continues to account for minimal value sales in 2024. These products have limited presence on retail shelves and this means that consumer awareness is low. Ready meals and packaged soup are also considered to be unnecessarily expensive products and this also contributes to low consumer interest. Dry soup is the only product with any significant presence, but value sales are still low. Furthermore, as soup consumption generally rises when weather is colder, Cameroon’s

Meals and soup in Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to register moderate constant value growth in 2024, as inflation eases significantly. However, volume growth is expected to be minimal, due to a continuing declining population. That being said, consumers appreciate the convenience of meals and soup, as they lead increasingly busy lives. Dry soup continues to account for most value sales, but it is a mature product area, with ready meals registering higher volume growth. While shelf stable mea

Inflation has made Kenyan consumers more price-sensitive in 2024, impacting their purchasing decisions in the meals and soups category. They are paying closer attention to discounts and deals, and some are even switching brands or stores in order to save money. This price sensitivity has resulted in rising demand for smaller pack sizes and more affordable product options in the year.

Moroccan consumers in 2024 have exhibited pronounced price sensitivity, which has significantly influenced the performance of meals and soups. Ready meals have seen minimal development as manufacturers have reduced their focus on the category. This trend aligns with consumer preferences, as many Moroccans perceive ready meals as less healthy and less flavourful compared to freshly prepared foods, while also being more expensive. Consequently, ready meals are consumed only on rare occasions, prim

Inflationary pressures in 2024 have significantly hampered the performance of meals and soups in Nigeria, with volume sales experiencing notable declines. Products in this category are widely regarded as non-essential by the majority of Nigerian consumers, and the weakened disposable income of middle- and lower-income groups has further reduced demand. This sensitivity to pricing has been exacerbated by steep increases in unit prices, discouraging purchases. Soup, a Westernised product with limi

Meals and soup is expected to register healthy constant value growth, as inflation eases, as well as moderate volume growth in Poland in 2024. Meals is expected to register higher volume growth than soup, with frozen pizza, frozen and shelf stable ready meals being the bigger sellers in terms of value sales. However, chilled ready meals is expected to register the highest volume growth. Growth is being fuelled by a growing demand for convenience, as consumers lead increasingly busy lives. Ready

Brazil’s macroeconomic scenario in 2023 and 2024 has been marked by a mix of positive and challenging factors. While the country has experienced robust economic growth, driven by a strong labour market and fiscal transfers, inflationary pressures and rising interest rates have posed significant challenges for consumers and businesses. In this context, Brazilian consumers have adopted a more cautious approach to spending. They have been prioritising essential goods and services, focusing on cost-

In 2024, meals and soups in Japan is expected to continue the trend from 2023 and see a retail volume decline. Following positive growth since the onset of the pandemic, retail current value sales are also set to turn to decline in 2024. This downturn is particularly evident in frozen pizza, in which sales have significantly dropped due to increases in unit prices. However, also due to increases in prices, growth is anticipated in retail current value terms despite the strong volume decline.

Retail value sales of meals and soups are expected to fall in current terms in Malaysia in 2024. However, frozen ready meals is set to see growth in both retail volume and value terms during the year, supported by product innovation. CJ Foods introduced bibigo halal Korean mandu and hoppang (dumpling and steamed bun) in March 2024. This was followed by a partnership with the convenience store, CU, to incorporate bibigo mandu (dumpling series) into its in-store fresh food in June 2024. The compan

Meals and soups in North Macedonia has shown another solid performance in 2024, with retail volume growth anticipated to be up modestly on 2023 and the majority of categories set to register positive results in this regard. Overall demand continues to be buoyed by increasingly busy lifestyles, which are leaving people with less time for cooking and strengthening appreciation for the convenience such products provide. New launches, marketing campaigns and wider distribution of various brands and

Frozen pizza witnessed volume growth in retail volume terms in 2024 following six consecutive years of decline, with sales supported by the recovery of purchasing power in Uruguay. Being a cheaper alternative, home-made pizza gained ground in previous years due to high inflation rates. The multinational McCain Uruguay SA leads in frozen pizza, importing from Argentina, followed by local players Cooperativa Nacional de Productores de Leche (Conaprole) and Larinur SA. Over the review period new pl

Meals and soups in Uzbekistan is undergoing substantial growth in 2024, with marked increases in both the number of market players and the variety of products available compared to previous years. This growth is underpinned by strong consumer interest in convenience, especially among urban dwellers and those leading busy lifestyles, which includes a rising number of young professionals and women in the workforce. The country’s evolving demographics, as well as the return of many Uzbek nationals

Meals and soup is expected to register positive volume growth in Slovenia in 2024. Consumers are leading increasingly busy lives and appreciate the convenience. Ready meals account for most values sales and within that, chilled ready meals are the largest segment in terms of value sales. Chilled ready meals are also expected to register the highest volume growth, as ready meals see further premiumisation. Dry soups also account for significant value sales, but volume growth is expected to be mut

Meals and soup is expected to register positive volume growth in Serbia in 2024. Consumers are leading increasingly busy lives and appreciate the convenience. Dry soup accounts for most values sales; however, it is ready meals and in particular frozen ready meals that is expected to be the strongest performer in 2024, with double-digit percentage current value and volume growth. Though frozen ready meals are generally more expensive than dry ready meals, they are seen as higher quality, and this