Frozen Food - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

Frozen Food Market Analysis

The frozen food market reached USD 311.74 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 394.93 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.84%. Market expansion is driven by consumers increasingly incorporating both fresh and frozen ingredients in their meal preparation. The market shows strength due to rising urbanization, increasing dual-income households, and sustained demand for convenient cooking solutions. The implementation of Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) technology has enhanced product quality and decreased food waste. Premium products, including upscale snacks and international ready meals, have widened price points and improved profit margins. Environmental sustainability requirements and consumer preferences for clean labels shape product formulations, packaging choices, and supply chain investments, especially in European and North American markets where regulations and consumer awareness are high. Manufacturers are expanding their product portfolios and improving quality standards.

Global Frozen Food Market Trends and Insights

Surge in Frozen Snacking for Home-Based Socialising

The home entertainment trend influences consumer behavior, driving the demand for frozen snacks during small-group gatherings and social events. Millennial and Generation Z consumers show a stronger inclination toward bite-sized frozen appetizers compared to older generations. The market offers diverse frozen food options, including pizzas, sliders, and various snack foods that provide both convenience and variety. These products require minimal preparation and cater to different taste preferences, making them ideal for social gatherings. Additionally, the frozen snack market expands as consumers seek efficient entertaining solutions that balance flavor and convenience. Millennial and Generation Z demographics support this growth through their preference for convenient and varied snacking options. The widespread adoption of air fryers in households further strengthens market growth, with frozen food manufacturers developing products specifically for air fryer preparation. In April 2025, McCain Foods India collaborated with Philips to introduce a range of frozen snacks optimized for air fryers, including crispy fries that replicate restaurant-style taste and texture, offering consumers quick and convenient at-home dining options.

Rapid Uptake of IQF Technology Enabling Texture-Safe Vegetables

Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) technology has enhanced the frozen vegetable market by preserving the structural integrity and nutritional value of produce. This technology enables freezing of diverse vegetables, including previously challenging items like avocados and leafy greens. The improved preservation quality has increased frozen vegetable consumption, particularly among health-conscious consumers. IQF technology also reduces food waste by extending seasonal availability and minimizing spoilage throughout the supply chain. For instance, the FLoFREEZE IQF freezer from JBT Frigoscandia implements advanced individual freezing technology for vegetables, fruits, fish, and premium IQF products. The system's true fluidization capabilities offer versatility and quality results. JBT's Sequential Defrost technology processes up to 18 tons per hour in the Frigoscandia FLoFREEZE series-M range, with adjustable airflow settings to accommodate products of varying sizes and types.

Supply Gaps in Sustainable Seafood for Frozen SKUs

The increasing consumer demand for sustainably sourced seafood presents significant supply chain challenges for frozen seafood manufacturers. The availability of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)-certified and responsibly harvested seafood species cannot meet current market demand. This supply-demand gap is most evident in popular species such as salmon, shrimp, and cod, where wild-caught supplies face constraints due to overfishing and climate change impacts. The market experiences shortages in frozen seafood products that meet sustainability standards. For instance, the North Sea saithe fishery is anticipated to lose its Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification on June 30, 2025. The MSC announced the suspension on June 2, 2025, after a period of low stock productivity, and a revised assessment by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) indicated the stock had fallen below sustainable levels. The North Sea saithe fisheries, which produce 45,000 metric tons (MT) annually, are the most recent cold-water species in the region to lose MSC certification.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

1. Growth of Direct-to-Consumer Frozen Meal Kits
2. Rising Demand for Clean-Label Frozen Entrées
3. Consumer Perception of “Freshness Gap” vs. Chilled Meals

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

Ready-to-cook formats captured 63.27% of frozen food market share in 2024 by balancing speed with user customization. Price positioning below ready-to-eat meals keeps the segment attractive during cost-conscious periods, while premium spice blends and pre-marinated proteins lift perceived value. Manufacturers are enriching sauce options and adding international profiles to defend their share. The segment's strength is further reinforced by the growing working population worldwide and their preference for products that reduce cooking time while maintaining the essence of home-cooked meals.

Ready-to-eat dishes, although smaller, expand at a 5.27% CAGR during the forecast period (2025-2030). Urban single-resident and dual-income households prize zero-prep convenience, encouraging brands to engineer recipes for microwave, stove-top, and air-fryer reheat. The ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat segments are merging through hybrid products that combine both components, offering consumers convenient meal solutions with customization options. This convergence enables manufacturers to target consumers who want both convenience and involvement in meal preparation.

The Frozen Food Market Report Segments the Industry Into Product Category (Ready-To-Eat, Ready-To-Cook), Product Type (Frozen Fruits and Vegetables, Frozen Meat and Fish, Frozen Ready Meals, Frozen Desserts, and More), Distribution Channel (On Trade and Off Trade), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and More). Market Sizing is Presented in USD Value Terms for all the Abovementioned Segments.

Geography Analysis

Europe holds a 31.29% market share in 2024, supported by established frozen food consumption patterns and developed cold-chain infrastructure. The market encompasses major economies, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and Russia, each contributing significantly to the regional market dynamics. The European market focuses on product innovation, sustainable packaging solutions, and premium frozen food products.

Asia-Pacific demonstrates the fastest growth with a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. The market shows significant growth potential, driven by rapid urbanization, changing consumer lifestyles, and increasing disposable incomes. The region encompasses major markets including China, Japan, India, and Australia, each showing distinct market characteristics and growth patterns. The market is experiencing substantial developments in cold chain infrastructure and retail network expansion. Consumers in Asia-Pacific show increasing acceptance of frozen food products, particularly in tier-1 and tier-2 cities.

The North American frozen food market demonstrates robust growth driven by changing consumer lifestyles and increasing demand for convenient food options. The United States leads the regional market, followed by Canada and Mexico, with each country showing distinct consumption patterns and market dynamics. The frozen food industry in the United States has expanded its premium offerings, with manufacturers introducing new product variants to meet consumer preferences. For instance, in 2024, Conagra announced the expansion of its Bertolli brand in the frozen food segment with the launch of Bertolli oven meals and appetizers. The oven meals include three varieties: chicken alfredo, chicken parmigiana and penne, and meatball rigatoni. The appetizers feature three cheese toasted ravioli and arancini Parmesan, which are compatible with air fryers.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

1. Nestlé S.A.
2. Conagra Brands Inc.
3. General Mills Inc.
4. Nomad Foods Ltd.
5. Tyson Foods Inc.
6. McCain Foods Ltd.
7. The Kraft Heinz Company
8. Ajinomoto Co. Inc.
9. Unilever PLC
10. Hormel Foods Corp.
11. Bellisio Foods Inc.
12. Iceland Foods Ltd.
13. Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV
14. Charoen Pokphand Foods
15. BRF S.A.
16. Oetker Group
17. Frosta AG
18. NH Foods Ltd.
19. Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
20. CJ CheilJedang Corp.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support