The growing popularity of convenience foods: how is food consumption changing?

Traditional home cooking was once an integral part of everyday life, especially in the countryside, where food preparation was often considered a family event. However, as a result of urbanization, the spread of women’s employment and an increasingly hectic lifestyle, this custom has been pushed into the background. From the middle of the 20th century, the spread of ready and semi-ready meals offered a quick and convenient alternative to traditional cooking.

According to GlobalData’s analysis, due to the modern urban lifestyle, consumers increasingly prefer quick-to-prepare convenience foods. The value of the market exceeded $160 billion in 2019 and is predicted to rise to over $200 billion in 2024.

A constantly growing market

Convenience foods, including quick-frozen, prepared and semi-prepared foods, have gained significant popularity in recent decades. The technologies of freezing, vacuum packaging and prepared meals have contributed to the fact that these products can be prepared quickly and easily. According to Nielsen’s 2021 report, the frozen food market will grow 4.5% annually and reach $290 billion by 2025.

Practical and attractive

Not only lifestyle, but also shopping habits contribute to the growth of the market. With the increase in demand for convenience foods, impulse buying has also become more common. Frozen meals are particularly popular among working-class consumers, where quick preparation is a primary consideration. Retail is expected to lead the frozen food market, while online channels offer a growing selection of vegan, plant-based and gluten-free products.