USA Ready Meals Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/ Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, and Online Stores), By Type Growth Forecast, 2023 - 2030

The USA Ready Meals Market size is expected to reach $58.7 billion by 2030, rising at a market growth of 6.8% CAGR during the forecast period. In the year 2022, the market attained a volume of 928.0 kilo tonnes units, experiencing a growth of 9.5% (2019-2022).

In the US, sorbates, benzoates, and other chemicals that serve as antimicrobial preservatives are included in the substances that are listed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Given the industry's growth, the beverages segment in the US food preservatives market is expected to increase rapidly throughout the projected period.

Demand for natural preservatives is increasing due to consumers' growing health consciousness and regulatory bodies' acceptance of them during processing. The rise in popularity of clean-label food products and customers' increasing preference for convenient food are the reasons behind this trend.

Antimicrobial preservatives, followed by antioxidants, dominate the market. Sorbates, benzoates, and other chemicals act as antimicrobial preservatives, and the demand for natural preservatives is increasing as a result of consumers' growing health consciousness and regulatory bodies' acceptance of them during processing. This trend results from consumers' increasing preference for easy meals and the growing popularity of clean-label food goods. The expanding food industries are a significant factor propelling the demand for food preservatives. The food and beverage manufacturing industry in the United States employed 1.7 million people in 2021, or little more than 1.1 percent of all nonfarm jobs in the country, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

The food and beverage industry's exports are rising significantly, with the United States being the primary destination. Meat and fish goods, dairy products, and drinks, including alcohol and soft drinks, are the main exported products.

Based on value-added, sales, and employment, the meat processing industrial group is the largest in the food and beverage manufacturing sector, according to the US Department of Agriculture. The slaughter, processing, and rendering of animals and fowl are all included in meat processing. With 26.2 percent of revenues in 2021, it is the largest industry group in the food and beverage manufacturing sector. By sales, dairy (12.8 percent), other foods (12.4 percent), and beverages (11.3 percent) are another significant sector.

The increasing urbanization of populations has led to smaller living spaces and a rise in single-person households. In such environments, consumers often opt for quick and easy meals that don't require extensive cooking or preparation. The demand for convenience foods, including ready-to-eat meals and snacks, continues to drive the need for effective preservatives to maintain the quality and safety of these products over an extended period of shelf life. The food preservatives market is expanding in the US as more people engage in outdoor recreational activities, including camping, hiking, and trekking. Due to technological advancements in the food sector, convenience food comprises ready meals in chilled, frozen, portion-controlled, shelf-stable, microwaveable, and prepared-mixes formats, all necessitating preservatives.

Market Trends

Shift towards natural preservatives

Consumer preferences are growing in the US, and there is a growing demand for cleaner, healthier, and more transparent food products. The United States is removing artificial preservatives from its diets due to increasing incidents of allergic reactions caused by consuming food products with artificial preservatives. Companies across the food industry recognize the importance of adapting to consumer preferences for natural preservatives to preserve a competitive advantage and remain relevant.

For instance, McCormick's commitment to sustainability and transparency has driven the company towards natural preservatives in the U.S. McCormick has been at the forefront of using rosemary extract as a natural preservative in some of its spice blends. The antioxidant properties of rosemary make it an effective preservative for US consumers, allowing McCormick to maintain product quality while responding to consumer preferences for recognizable and natural ingredients.

New players like Kemin Industries, Inc. and Galactic SA are launching new goods made with natural ingredients like vinegar and rosemary extracts and cutting-edge technology to compete. For example, Conagen, Inc. introduced 'p-Coumaric Acid' (PCA) in August 2021 as a new clean-label, natural preservative made by fermentation. The expanding demand for natural preservatives will result in overall increase in the growth of the market.

Increasing application of food preservatives in meat and meat products

As the demand for processed and convenience meat products rises, preservatives play a pivotal role in ensuring microbial safety, extending shelf life, and maintaining product quality during distribution and storage. Meat is highly susceptible to microbial contamination, including bacteria, molds, and yeasts.

Manufacturers such as Corbion N.V. play a significant role in the United States food industry and are involved in various aspects of food production, including meat processing. They use vinegar and jasmine extract as antioxidants and citrus powder to prevent moisture migration of the product.

The demand for ready meal products has increased in the food preservatives market in the US. Online retailing of these products is one of the reasons for the growth in sales of these products. Weekly supermarket shopping has doubled in the industry since the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and consumers are adopting online retailing in an irreversible trend. Thus, the abovementioned factors drive the expansion of the US food preservatives market.

Competition Analysis

The US food preservatives market is prominently shaped by industry leaders, with Koninklijke DSM NV, DuPont de Nemours Inc., BASF SE, and Corbion N.V. standing out as major players. These companies wield considerable influence in the sector, contributing significantly to the development and supply of food preservatives in the United States.

The leading companies, such as Kerry Group, are global companies interested in natural and clean-label solutions. Kerry Group collaborates with food manufacturers to provide customized solutions. This involves working closely with clients in the US to develop and implement natural preservative solutions tailored to specific product lines.

Cargill plays a significant role in the US food and beverage industry, providing manufacturers with various ingredients and solutions. The company has a broad range of food ingredients and solutions. This may include offerings related to food preservation, such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, and other preservatives. These ingredients help extend the shelf life of food products.

Nestle SA, Hello Fresh Group, Kraft Heinz, and ConAgra Brands Company are a few of the major players operating in the industry. To raise the number of sales in the ready meals industry, the companies are broadening their product offers. Conagra Brands unveiled a wide range of new summer goods with modern flavors to satisfy cravings and resolve mealtime dilemmas. Trendy ingredients are used in the items which are prepared conveniently.

Smithfield Foods strategically incorporated food preservatives into its product lines in the United States. By doing so, the company aimed to extend the shelf life of its offerings, providing consumers with a broader array of choices while reducing food waste. Smithfield Foods likely utilized advanced preservation technologies to maintain the freshness and safety of its products, contributing to consumer confidence in the brand. Through its commitment to food safety and quality, Smithfield Foods addressed the need for longer shelf life in meat products and contributed to the broader trends shaping the US food preservatives market in 2022.

List of Key Companies Profiled (Global Leaders)

• Conagra Brands, Inc.
• The Kraft Heinz Company
• Nestle S.A
• Unilever PLC
• Kerry Group PLC
• Premier Foods PLC (Premier Foods Group Services Ltd.)
• Bakkavor Group PLC
• General Mills, Inc
• Kellogg Company

USA Ready Meals Market Report Segmentation

By Distribution Channel

• Supermarkets/ Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online Stores

By Type

• Frozen Pizza
• Canned/Preserved Ready Meals
• Frozen Ready Meals
• Prepared Salads
• Chilled Ready Meals
• Dried Ready Meals
• Chilled Pizza