South America Instant Food Market Outlook, 2028

Instant food products provide a quick and convenient solution for busy individuals and families. With the demands of modern life, many people in South America find it challenging to allocate time for extensive meal preparation. Instant food allows them to save time in the kitchen while still satisfying their hunger. Furthermore, the rapid urbanisation of South American countries has led to changes in work patterns and daily routines. Many people living in cities have limited time for cooking due to long work hours, commuting, and other commitments. Instant food offers a practical solution for those seeking quick and easy meals. Moreover, Instant food is particularly popular among busy professionals and students in South America. With demanding work or study schedules, they often rely on instant food options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Instant noodles, microwaveable meals, and snacks are commonly consumed due to their convenience and ease of preparation. In addition, South American countries have their own traditional cuisines and food preferences. The culture of instant food in South America often involves adapting international instant food products to local tastes and flavours. Local spices, sauces, and condiments are added to enhance the flavours and cater to regional palates. Global brands have a significant presence in the South American instant food market. Companies like Nestlé, Unilever, and PepsiCo offer a wide range of instant food products, leveraging their brand recognition and marketing strategies to appeal to South American consumers.

According to the research report, “South America Instant Food Market Outlook, 2028” the market is anticipated to add USD 5.75 Billion from 2023 to 2028. The rising popularity of plant-based and vegan diets is driving the demand for instant food products that cater to these dietary preferences. South American consumers are seeking plant-based alternatives to traditional instant food items, such as plant-based burgers, vegan ready-to-eat meals, and dairy-free desserts. Furthermore, Health consciousness is a significant trend in the South American instant food market. Consumers are increasingly seeking instant food products that align with their health goals and provide nutritional value. This includes options with lower salt, sugar, and fat content, as well as products fortified with vitamins, minerals, and functional ingredients. Moreover, the South American instant food market is witnessing product diversification to cater to various dietary preferences and special dietary needs. This includes gluten-free, lactose-free and allergen-friendly instant food products, allowing consumers with specific dietary requirements to enjoy convenient meal options without compromising their health. In addition, the rise of online food delivery platforms has had a significant impact on the South American instant food market. Consumers are increasingly relying on these platforms to order instant food products for home delivery. This trend has led to partnerships between instant food manufacturers and online food delivery platforms to expand their reach and meet consumer demands.

Brazil has the largest population in South America, making it a significant consumer market. With a large consumer base, there is a substantial demand for instant food products, creating opportunities for manufacturers and brands to thrive. Furthermore, Brazil is known for its rich culinary heritage and diverse flavors. Instant food products in Brazil often incorporate local ingredients and traditional flavors, catering to the preferences and tastes of Brazilian consumers. This includes a wide range of options such as feijoada (a traditional Brazilian bean stew), pão de queijo (cheese bread), brigadeiro (chocolate truffles), and various regional dishes. Like in many other regions, instant food in Brazil caters to the demands of busy lifestyles. With increasingly hectic schedules, consumers in Brazil rely on instant food as a time-saving and convenient option for quick meals or snacks. The ease of preparation and minimal cooking time aligns with the needs of busy individuals and families. In addition, Empanadas are a beloved Argentine food, and there are instant empanada products available on the market. These products come in pre-made dough or frozen form, allowing consumers to easily prepare empanadas at home by adding their preferred fillings. Moreover, Argentina has a rich dessert culture, and instant dessert mixes are commonly found in supermarkets. These mixes allow people to quickly prepare traditional Argentine desserts, such as flan, alfajores (cookies), and mousse, with minimal preparation and cooking time.

Instant noodles and pasta are renowned for their convenience and quick preparation. These products typically come in pre-packaged portions with seasoning or sauce included, requiring minimal cooking time. They are popular among busy individuals, students, and working professionals who seek a quick and easy meal solution. Furthermore, Instant noodles and pasta are relatively affordable compared to other meal options, making them accessible to a wide range of consumers. In South America, where price sensitivity is a significant factor, the affordability of instant noodles and pasta contributes to their popularity and market dominance. Moreover, Instant noodles and pasta offer a wide range of flavours and varieties to suit different consumer preferences. They are available in various soup bases, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, and vegetable, as well as different noodle or pasta shapes. This variety allows consumers to choose their favorite flavours and enjoy different taste experiences. In addition, Desserts are often associated with celebrations and special occasions. The instant dessert segment caters to consumers who want to add a sweet touch to their gatherings, parties, or festive occasions. Instant dessert products offer a quick and hassle-free way to create desserts for such events, saving time and effort in the preparation process.

Frozen instant food products are packaged in a way that preserves their freshness and extends their shelf life. These products are typically stored in freezers and require freezing or refrigeration to maintain their quality. Some popular examples of frozen instant food products include frozen pizzas, frozen ready-to-eat meals, frozen snacks, and frozen desserts. Furthermore, frozen instant food products provide convenience to consumers as they can be stored for a longer time and used as needed. They offer a quick and easy solution for meals or snacks, as they often require minimal cooking or reheating. For instance, some popular Frozen Packaging brands in South America include Nestlé, Sadia, and Seara. In addition, normal packaging refers to non-frozen instant food products that are packaged in formats that do not require freezing or refrigeration for storage. These products are often shelf-stable and can be stored at room temperature. Examples of instant food products in normal packaging include dry instant noodles, instant soups, instant drinks, and ready-to-eat snacks. For instance, some popular Normal Packaging brands in South America Include Maruchan, Knorr, Maggi, and more.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets are large retail establishments that offer a wide range of products, including instant food. They are preferred by consumers due to their extensive product selection and competitive pricing. For instance, some well-known supermarket and hypermarket chains in South America include Carrefour, Walmart, Grupo Éxito, and more. In addition, online stores or e-commerce platforms have gained significant popularity in recent years, allowing consumers to purchase instant food products conveniently from their homes. For instance, some prominent online stores operating in South America include MercadoLibre, Amazon, Rappi, and more.

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, Dr. Oetker , Ebro Foods, S.A., Barilla Group, JBS S.A.

Considered in this report

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

Countries covered in the report:

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia

Aspects covered in this report

• South America 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.