Meal Kits Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Meal Type (Non-Vegetarian, Vegetarian), Offering Type (Cook & Eat, Heat & Eat), Distribution Channel (Online, Convenience Stores, Hypermarket/Supermarket) - Global Forecast to 2031

The Meal Kits Market was valued at $14.88 billion in 2023. This market is expected to reach $43.85 billion by 2031 from an estimated $16.93 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 14.6% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2031.

Meal Kits Market Size & Forecast

The growth of this market is driven by rapid urbanization, increasing consumers emphasis on e-commerce food services, growing number of working individuals, and rising consumer trend towards home cooked food. Moreover, the growing vegan and vegetarian population, rising consumer preferences for customizable meals, and technological advancements are expected to create market growth opportunities.

Key Findings

• By Meal Type: In 2024, the Non-vegetarian Segment to Dominate the Meal Kits Market
• By Offering Type: In 2024, the Cook & Eat Segment to Dominate the Meal Kits Market
• By Distribution Channel: In 2024, the Online Segment is Expected to Dominate the Meal Kits Market
• By Geography: North America to Dominate the Meal Kits Market in 2024

Meal Kits Market Drivers

Rapid Urbanization & Changing Lifestyle

The demand for meal kits is significantly influenced by rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles due to growing working professionals, growing preference for fresh and nutritive food, and focus on convenience. The growing urbanization is changing the living and eating of people where traditional cooking methods can be time-consuming. Further, according to the World Health Organization, over 55% of the global population resided in urban areas as of 2022, a figure projected to rise to 68% by 2050. This is driving the demand for meal kits, which offer quick and easy cooking options in their busy schedules.

The lifestyle of people in urban areas is changing due to increasing dual income. People are spending more on convenience products and opting for healthy products. Consumers are more aware of their daily nutrition and requirements and opting for nutritious food items. Meal kits cater to this need by providing pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, allowing consumers to prepare healthy meals in less time. Also, meal kits exclude the need for grocery shopping and meal planning and allow consumers to experiment with new cuisines without the hassle of sourcing unique ingredients separately.

Increasing Consumer’s Emphasis on E-commerce Food Services

Consumers' reliance on online food service platforms is rapidly growing due to shifting dietary preferences and availability of convenient alternatives and special deals. These considerations make online meal delivery a necessary component of the urban lifestyle. Working people seek simple yet nutritious meal alternatives because their schedules frequently allow little time for meal preparation and grocery shopping. Meal kits provide a beneficial option by delivering healthful, ready-to-eat meals that are both handy and time saving.

Consumers use digital platforms on a regular basis, and food service apps have emerged as a popular way to order meals. These systems also allow customers to tailor and adapt their meals based on their nutritional demands, which increases their attractiveness. Online food service platforms frequently include flexible ordering options, allowing customers to make single orders or sign up for regular subscriptions. This flexibility, along with the convenience of ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook meals, is leading to an increasing reliance on online food delivery services. This has increased consumer’s emphasis on e-commerce food services and is ultimately expected to drive the growth of the meal kits market.

Meal Kits Market Opportunities

Growing Vegan and Vegetarians Populations

Vegetarianism and veganism have risen quickly in recent years, owing to increased consumer health and environmental awareness, as well as compassion for animals. Furthermore, vegan diets are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. According to the Vegan Society, in 2023, approximately 700,000 people participated in the Veganuary campaign, wherein people only eat vegan foods during the month of January. In comparison, there were 692,000 participants in 2022, 582,000 participants in 2021, and 400,000 participants in 2020.

The global demand for plant-based and cruelty-free meals has surged as environmental awareness and animal compassion have grown. For instance, according to Plant Based Foods Association and The Good Food Institute, from SPINS data, in 2021, the U.S. retail sales of plant-based foods increased to 6.2% from 2020 and total plant-based market valued at USD 7.4 billion. Vegetarian and vegan diets is associated with plant-based eating, which lowers the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Meal kits focuses on these dietary preferences allowing consumers to easily prepare nutritious meals at home. Thus, increasing vegetarianism and veganism are expected to boost the demand for meal kits, driving the growth of this market.

Meal Kits Market Analysis: Top Market Opportunity

The Non-vegetarian Segment is Expected to Dominate the Meal Kits Market in 2024

Based on meal type, the meal kits market is segmented into non-vegetarian and vegetarian. In 2024, the non-vegetarian segment is expected to account for the larger share of the meal kits market. The share of this segment is mainly attributed to the high consumption of non-veg globally due to inclusion of high-quality proteins, such as chicken, fish, and beef, which are essential for a balanced diet, and the large availability of number of dishes. Additionally, non-veg cooking requires high time, but availability of meal kits offers easy-to-follow recipes which further offer a diverse array of meat-based dishes that allow individuals to explore gourmet-style cooking at home without the need for extensive culinary skills or knowledge which is gaining traction among consumers.

However, vegetarian segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2031 due to growing vegetarian population; increasing health awareness, focus on convenience, and sustainability concerns; growing demand for exotic veggies; and rising adoption of vegetables due to low risk of obesity and non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular issues and certain cancers.

Geographical Analysis

North America Dominates the Meal Kits Market in 2024

In 2024, North America is estimated to account for the largest share of the global meal kits market. The large share of the North America region in the meal kits market is primarily driven by large number of working populations, lesser interest of people in cooking, high demand for convenient cooking, increasing consumer preference for healthy food, rising popularity of vegan diets, and growing adoption of fresh foods. Moreover, availability of various ranges of meal kits and large number of key manufacturers offering meal kits through various platforms also supports the dominance of North America in the global market.

However, Asia-Pacific region is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2031 due to the growing number of working women, rapid urbanization, changing lifestyle, rising adoption of western diets, rising vegan population, rising consumer preferences for ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods, growing presence of various food platforms which offers meal kits, rising adoption for various exotic recipes which is convenient to prepare with help of meal kits, and rising disposable incomes in the region.

Key Companies

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key strategic developments that led market participants to adopt over the past three years.

The key players profiled in the global meal kits market report are Albertsons Companies, Inc. (U.S.), HelloFresh SE (Germany), Fresh n’Lean (U.S.), Marley Spoon SE (Germany), Blue Apron Holdings, Inc (U.S.), Hungryroot (U.S.), Gousto Ltd (U.K.), Freshly, Inc (U.S.), Gobble Inc. (U.S.), Oisix ra daichi Inc. (Japan), My Food Bag Ltd. (New Zealand), and Sun Basket, Inc. (U.S.), among others.

Meal Kits Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In October 2024, HelloFresh (Germany), in partnership with Warner Bros., launched Rachel Green’s Trifle meal kits.
• In January 2024, The Kraft Heinz Company (U.S.) partnered with Taco Bell Corp. (U.S.) to introduce a pair of meal kits that allow consumers to make the fast-food chain’s Crunchwrap Supreme and Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla at home.
• In December 2023, Blue Apron, LLC (U.S.) expanded its ready-to-eat category by launching the Prepared & Ready meals.
• In May 2023, Home Chef (U.S.) launched a convenient meal kit plan specially designed for families.
• In January 2023, Chef Sung (U.S.) introduced an Asian-inspired meal kit for the meal kits market.
• In December 2022, The Kraft Heinz Company (U.S.) launched SOSU from Amoy, a new range of meal kits and cooking ingredients.
• In December 2022, Intelligent Foods (UAE) acquired Gobble (U.S.), a 15-minute meal kit service, to expand into the meal kits market.

Meal Kits Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the meal kits market report: