Food Market Outlook 2026: Rising Prices, Geopolitical Tension, & Product Innovation Impact Consumers

Sales of the top 14 packaged food categories are forecast to increase at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0% from 2025 to 2030, reaching sales of $432 billion. Dollar growth will be slower through 2030 compared to 2019 to 2025 as inflation, which significantly propped up dollars over the last couple of years, continues to moderate.

This report focuses on the market for selected packaged food products sold to consumers in the United States through retail channels. All retail distribution channels are covered, including supermarkets and grocery stores, mass merchandisers and supercenters, warehouse clubs, specialty food stores, health/natural food stores, convenience stores, drugstores, dollar stores, and direct sales channels such as online and mail order. Market size data are provided at the retail sales level for 2019-2025, and projections are provided for 2025-2030.

Product categories covered in detail include:

cereal

chocolate candy

fresh bread

frozen dinners/entrees

ice cream and frozen novelties

meal and snack bars

meat and poultry

natural and specialty cheese

salty snacks

yogurt

Product categories covered on a top-line basis include:

cookies

fresh packaged salads

frozen pizza

soup