In 2023, dried ready meals led packaging volumes within meals and soups in Vietnam. Within this category, flexible plastic was the exclusive pack type in 2023, due to its lightweight and durable nature, which is ideal for transportation and storage, especially for urban consumers. It offers excellent barrier properties, preserving the freshness of the content and ensuring a long shelf life. Innovative designs such as resealable pouches enhance convenience, with easy opening and portion control.

Flexible aluminium/plastic is the dominant pack type in dry soup, which, given it is the biggest category in overall meals and soups, means that it is also therefore the dominant meals and soups packaging format. Flexible aluminium/plastic was also growing in 2023, and even recorded a slight increase in its pack type share in overall meals and soups packaging in this year. Flexible aluminium/plastic is lightweight, making it easy to transport and handle. This is especially important for convenie

Thin wall plastic containers are becoming increasingly popular in frozen ready meals due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These containers use less material, making them lighter and reducing transportation costs and energy usage. Technological advancements have improved the barrier properties of thin wall plastic containers and enhanced the food quality preservation, thereby extending shelf life. In addition, their design versatility allows for a variety of shapes, sizes and labelling

Despite seeing a decline in its packaging unit volumes, folding cartons remained the leading pack type for meals and soups in Sweden in 2023, and even gained a little share in this year. Folding cartons are used in key categories like frozen pizza and frozen ready meals, among others. Folding cartons are appreciated for their traditional appeal in pizza packaging, and provide convenient outer packaging for ready meals, which often consist of several ingredients. Folding cartons are lightweight,

In 2023, there was strong demand for chilled gazpacho and salmorejo soups during Spain’s hotter periods. These refreshing, ready-to-eat soups are traditional favourites among Spaniards and tourists seeking a cool, convenient meal. As a result, PET bottles, gable top liquid cartons, thin wall plastic containers and shaped liquid cartons all saw increased unit volumes in this year in chilled soup.

Despite gradually losing share to rigid plastic and flexible packaging, metal food cans remained the leading pack type in meals and soups packaging in Singapore at the end of the review period, primarily due to their ability to preserve the quality and safety of food products. Metal food cans provide a secure barrier against light, air and moisture, ensuring that the contents remain fresh and free from contamination. This is particularly important for meals and soups, for which product safety an

Frozen pizza is popular in the Philippines for its convenience and versatility. With the fast-paced urban lifestyle and the increasing demand for quick meal solutions, frozen pizzas offer a convenient option for those looking to enjoy a hot and delicious pizza without the wait. They are readily available in supermarkets, come in a variety of flavours, and can be stored in the freezer for an extended period, making them a practical choice for busy households. In addition, frozen pizzas can be cus

Flexible plastic and folding cartons are the two main packaging types used for frozen pizza in Romania. The choice of these materials is down to their lightweight nature, durability and suitability for packaging pizzas. Folding cartons offer convenience to consumers and retailers alike, being easy to stack and display. The preference for flexible plastic and folding cartons also aligns with global sustainability movements, as these materials are fully recyclable and reusable, contributing to red

Total meals and soups packaging volumes in Italy increased for another consecutive year in 2023. The consumption of ready meals continued to rise in this year, particularly in the chilled and frozen categories, driven by various factors, which drove growth in the associated packaging volumes. Urbanisation, increased time spent away from home due to work or study commitments post-pandemic, and the desire for quick, convenient meal solutions without compromising on quality or taste were key growth

Flexible plastic is the most popular packaging type for meals and soup in Indonesia due to its versatility. Its lightweight nature reduces transportation costs and carbon footprint, aligning with the country’s logistical challenges and environmental considerations. Flexible plastic packaging also offers ample space for branding and nutritional information, aiding marketing efforts and informing consumers about the product. Moreover, its malleability allows for various portion sizes and shapes, a

In 2023, total meals and soups packaging volumes in Thailand saw a dynamic increase. Within soup, dry soup dominated packaging volumes, and maintained growth in 2023, although it should be noted that volumes failed to return to the pre-pandemic (2019) level, even though this was achieved in overall meals and soups packaging. Nevertheless, dry soups remain popular in Thailand, as instant soup mixes often incorporate a wide range of flavours, including traditional Thai favourites such as tom yum a

Total meals and soups packaging volumes remained fairly static in the Netherlands in 2023. Dutch consumers are increasingly seeking fresh and healthier food options, with a growing emphasis on home-cooked meals and natural ingredients. This shift in dietary habits led to a lack of growth in demand for packaged meals and soups, which are often perceived as highly processed or less wholesome compared with fresh alternatives. Flexible plastic is the most used pack type for packaging meals and soups

Total meals and soups packaging volumes continued to rise in Switzerland in 2023. Chilled soup continued to see above-average growth in packaging volumes from a low base in this year. The packaging volumes of thin wall plastic containers, PET bottles, and flexible plastic used in the packaging of chilled soup in Switzerland experienced notable increases in 2023, mainly due to the rise in consumer demand for convenient and ready-to-eat meals, which prompted manufacturers to expand their offerings

Plastic pouches, already the preferred packaging solution for dried ready meals in Brazil, continued gaining share in 2023. The growing popularity of this packaging type can be attributed to several key factors. Plastic pouches are known for their ability to maintain product freshness, which is crucial for ensuring the quality and taste of dried ready meals. Their lightweight and flexible nature also makes them cost-effective and convenient for both manufacturers and consumers. For consumers, pa

Demand for convenience among increasingly time-pressed consumers continued to drive up sales of ready meals in South Africa at the end of the review period, thereby benefitting the dominant packaging type of folding cartons. Demand was being driven by chilled and frozen ready meals, with the latter in particular appreciated for its convenience in terms of storage for later consumption. The ongoing dynamic performance of frozen ready meals packaging has also been supported by a number of players

In 2023, total meals and soups packaging volumes maintained growth in Turkey, although a slower increase was seen than in recent years. Although rising from a low base, chilled ready meals saw one of the most dynamic percentage increases in packaging volumes in meals and soups in 2023. Thin wall plastic containers continued to account for the most significant packaging volumes in chilled ready meals in 2023, and continued to see double-digit growth in packaging volumes. Meanwhile, aluminium/plas

Total meals and soups packaging volumes continued to rise in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Demand for ready meals surged during the pandemic as foodservice closures and fears around food delivery drove home-cooking occasions; ready meals presented a more convenient alternative than cooking meals from scratch. Although the impact of the pandemic ceased in Saudi Arabia by the end of the review period, many local consumers continued to appreciate the convenience offered by these meals, and thus demand rema

Total meals and soups packaging volumes continued to see a dramatic rise in 2023. Flexible plastic was the leading pack type in meals and soups packaging in South Korea in 2023, used across most categories, as this offers functionality, convenience, and in particular, cost-effectiveness. Flexible plastic packaging, such as pouches and bags, is lightweight and easy to handle, making it convenient for both manufacturers and consumers. It provides excellent barrier properties, protecting the conten

Total meals and soups packaging volumes maintained growth in Germany in 2023. Flexible plastic led meals and soups packaging in this year due to several key factors. First, it offers versatility in design, allowing the production of various shapes and sizes to accommodate different types and sizes of meals. Second, flexible plastic is lightweight, which reduces transportation costs and environmental impact. Third, it provides excellent barrier properties, ensuring freshness and shelf-life extens

Total meals and soups packaging volumes maintained dynamic growth in 2023, as increasingly time-strapped Indian consumers with busy lifestyles drove demand for meals and soups, boosting packaging unit volumes of the main pack types in the category – flexible packaging and folding cartons. Folding cartons saw above-average growth in dried ready meals in India in this year, driven by consumers’ increasing willingness to pay more for higher quality and gourmet experiences. The trend towards premium

Total meals and soups packaging volumes declined in 2023. Although flexible plastic packaging also saw falling sales, the decline was below the average for meals and soups, and it continued to account for the highest share of packaging volumes in meals and soups in Japan in 2023. This can be attributed to several factors, including its light weight, easy handling by both producers and consumers, cost-effectiveness, and superior preservation qualities, ensuring product freshness and shelf life. I

Chilled ready meals are largely regarded as a convenience food as they contain prepared meals that require only heating before consumption. These meals are primarily packaged in specific ready meal containers, which are typically microwave-safe plastic tubs with a plastic top that consumers are required to pierce before heating. In addition, these meals typically feature an outer packaging layer to keep the ready meal container protected from the effects of the environment. While flexible plasti

Due to its portability and flexibility, which seamlessly align with on-the-go consumption habits, flexible aluminium/plastic packaging is the preferred choice for meals and soups packaging in Colombia. Its protective barrier properties ensure extended shelf life and product quality. In addition, its adaptable design possibilities, see-through nature and resealable closures increase its attractiveness to consumers. It is a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly choice, as it allows for custo

Flexible plastic is the most widely used pack type in meals and soups packaging in China. This is due to this packaging type being lightweight and durable, making it easy to transport and store, which is particularly important for busy urban consumers who value portability. Flexible plastic offers excellent barrier properties that help preserve the freshness and extend the shelf life of meals and soups, ensuring that the food remains safe and tasty for longer periods. In addition, it supports in