Europe Instant Food Market Outlook, 2028

In Europe, the instant food industry has responded to consumer demands by offering a wide range of options. There is abundance of instant meals available, including pre-packaged soups, sauces, ready-to-eat meals, frozen foods, and quick-cooking grains. Companies continually innovate to meet diverse dietary preferences, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and organic options. Furthermore, while instant food has its roots in Western cuisine, it has adapted to cater to the tastes and preferences of Europeans. For example, instant versions of popular European dishes like paella, lasagna, or curry can be found in supermarkets. This blending of convenience and traditional flavours appeals to those who desire familiar tastes but lack the time or skill to cook from scratch. Moreover, the rise of meal delivery services, such as subscription-based meal kits, has also contributed to the culture of instant food in Europe. These services provide pre-portioned ingredients and recipes, allowing individuals to prepare meals quickly at home without the need for extensive planning or shopping. In addition to traditional fast food chains, Europe has seen the rise of street food markets and fast-casual dining establishments that offer quick and convenient options with a focus on quality ingredients and unique flavours. These venues often feature a variety of instant food options, such as gourmet sandwiches, artisanal burgers, falafel wraps, and crepes, catering to the on-the-go lifestyle of Europeans.

According to the research report, “Europe Instant Food Market Outlook, 2028” the market is anticipated to add USD 15.83 Billion from 2023 to 2028. Europeans are leading increasingly busy lives with demanding work schedules and limited time for meal preparation. As a result, there is a growing need for quick and convenient meal solutions. Instant food provides a time-saving option for individuals and families who are looking for convenient meal options that can be prepared and consumed with minimal effort. Furthermore, Convenience is a significant driver of the instant food market in Europe. Instant food allows consumers to save time on meal preparation and cleanup, making it an attractive option for those with hectic schedules. The availability of pre-packaged, ready-to-eat, and quick-cooking options fulfils the desire for convenience without compromising on taste or nutrition. Moreover, the increase in single-person households in Europe has also contributed to the growth of the instant food market. Single individuals often have different needs and preferences when it comes to meal preparation, and instant food provides a convenient solution for them. Single-serve and portion-controlled options cater to the specific requirements of single-person households. In addition, the growth of the instant food market is also influenced by rising disposable incomes in Europe. As people have more disposable income, they are more willing to spend on convenient food options that save time and effort. The affordability of instant food products, coupled with the convenience they offer, makes them an attractive choice for consumers with higher purchasing power.

The European instant food market can be categorized into different product segments, including breakfast cereal, instant noodles and pasta, snacks, instant ready meals, desserts, and others. Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day, and breakfast cereals provide a convenient and quick solution for busy mornings. Many consumers’ priorities having a nutritious breakfast to start their day, and instant breakfast cereals offer a time-saving option without compromising on nutritional value. Furthermore, Breakfast cereals are often fortified with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making them a popular choice for health-conscious individuals. They offer a balanced and convenient breakfast option that can be easily prepared by adding milk or yoghurt. The emphasis on health and wellness has driven the demand for instant breakfast cereals, especially among those seeking a nutritious start to their day. In addition to the rising demand for healthier food choices, manufacturers have introduced a wide range of instant ready meals that focus on nutrition and dietary preferences. Health-conscious consumers seek options with lower sodium, reduced sugar, healthier fats, and higher protein content. Additionally, there are instant ready meals available that cater to specific dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or organic options. The availability of customizable and healthier instant ready meals has expanded the consumer base and contributed to the segment's growth.

The frozen packaging category refers to instant food products that are stored and sold in a frozen state. These products require freezing to maintain their quality and extend their shelf life. Common examples of frozen instant food include frozen pizzas, frozen ready meals, frozen vegetables, and frozen desserts. For instance, some well-known Frozen Packaging Brands include Dr. Oetker, Birds Eye, McCain, Findus, Iglo, and more. In addition, the normal packaging category refers to instant food products that are stored and sold at ambient or room temperature. These products do not require freezing and can be stored on shelves without the need for refrigeration or freezing. For instance, some well-known Normal Packaging Brands include Kellogg's, Nestlé, Unilever, Mars, Incorporated, Mondelez International, and more. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are large retail stores that offer a wide range of products, including instant food items. They provide a one-stop shopping experience for consumers, with various brands and products available in different categories. For instance, well-known supermarket and hypermarket chains in Europe include Tesco, Carrefour, Aldi, Lidl, and Auchan. In addition, online stores or e-commerce platforms have gained significant traction in the instant food market in Europe. Consumers can browse and purchase a wide variety of instant food products from the comfort of their homes, with the convenience of home delivery. For instance, online retail platforms in Europe include Amazon, Ocado, and various online grocery delivery services offered by supermarket chains such as Tesco, Carrefour, and Edeka.

Recent Developments:

• Nestlé, a global food and beverage company, has been actively expanding its instant food portfolio. In 2020, Nestlé launched its Garden Gourmet plant-based brand in Europe, offering a range of plant-based burgers, sausages, and meat substitutes. Nestlé also introduced Nescafé Azera Nitro, a nitrogen-infused coffee in ready-to-drink cans, catering to the growing demand for convenient coffee options.
• Unilever, another major player in the food industry, has been focusing on sustainability and healthier instant food options. In 2020, Unilever launched the Vegetarian Butcher brand in Europe, offering a range of plant-based meat alternatives. Unilever also introduced a new range of vegetarian and vegan products under its Knorr brand, including instant meals and soup options.
• Dr. Oetker, a German-based food company, has been expanding its presence in the frozen pizza market. In recent years, Dr. Oetker has introduced new pizza flavors and variations, catering to diverse consumer preferences. The company has also focused on enhancing the quality and taste of its frozen pizza products to meet evolving consumer demands.

Major Companies present in the market:

The Kellogg Company, Nestlé S.A., General Mills, Inc, The Kraft Heinz Company, McCain Foods Limited, Hormel Foods Corporation, Calbee, Inc, Nomad Foods Limited, Dr. Oetker , Ebro, Foods, S.A., Barilla Group, JBS S.A, Premier, Foods plc, Greencore Group plc.

Considered in this report

• Geography: Europe
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Countries covered in the report:

• Germany
• United Kingdom
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Russia

Aspects covered in this report

• Europe Instant Food market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product

• Breakfast Cereal
• Instant Noodles & pasta
• Snacks
• instant ready Meal
• Desserts
• others

By Packaging

• Normal
• Frozen

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarket/Hypermarket
• Departmental/Convenience Store
• Online Store
• Others (Specialty Stores)

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to ready to Instant Food industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.