The global meal kit market size reached USD 15.9 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 47.3 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.58% during 2025-2033. North America accounted for the largest region owing to the heightened demand for quick and convenient meal solutions. Additionally, the rising health consciousness among consumers, the increasing demand for culinary experimentation among the masses, changing consumer lifestyles, the rapid proliferation of smartphones, and increasing internet penetration are some of the major factors propelling the market growth.
Report Attribute
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Key Statistics
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Base Year
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2024 |
Forecast Years
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2025-2033
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Historical Years
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2019-2024
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Market Size in 2024 | USD 15.9 Billion |
Market Forecast in 2033 | USD 47.3 Billion |
Market Growth Rate 2025-2033 | 11.58% |
Rising Demand for Convenience
The meal kit industry is experiencing rapid growth since consumers are placing greater emphasis on convenience in what they eat. Busy schedules, hectic work lives, and urbanization are urging people to seek quicker and simpler meal options. According to a report published by Mondelēz International, in 2024, around 67% of the people worldwide make spontaneous decisions and around 6 in 10 people prefer smaller meals or snacks instead of large meals throughout the day. This trend is attractive especially to career professionals, young couples, and students with multiple commitments. The convenience element is also coming together with the craving for home-made foods without the inconvenience of complicated cooking procedures. By reducing food wastage and removing guesswork in serving sizes, meal kits are providing effectiveness that classic grocery shopping may be unable to deliver. As individuals are still looking for ways to optimize productivity during daily lives, meal kits are being touted as a convenient option to going out to eat or ordering takeout, complementing their mass adoption.
Rising Health and Wellness Consciousness
Health-conscious consumers are behind the shift to meal kits, as they are actively looking for fresh, healthy, and balanced meals. The market is enjoying increasing awareness of the need for portion control, calorie monitoring, and dietary personalization. A number of meal kit companies are introducing specialty options, including keto, vegan, low-carb, and gluten-free kits, which are appealing to individuals seeking specific health outcomes. This personalization is appealing to customers who are prioritizing transparency in food origin and quality of ingredients. With growing issues of obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle diseases, individuals are opting for meal kits that are encouraging healthy eating. According to International Diabetes Federation, in 2025, 1 in 9 adults (ages 20-79) has diabetes, with more than 4 in 10 being unaware of their condition. The trend is also being sustained by adding organic vegetables, lean meats, and sustainably sourced ingredients to meal kit products. By blending health benefits with convenience, meal kits are becoming a trusted instrument for aiding long-term wellness, and health-driven demand is a key driving factor for the industry's growth.
Expansion of Digital Platforms and E-commerce
The expansion of digital platforms is strongly propelling the market growth. Online marketplaces and subscription programs are enhancing access to meal kits for consumers by providing easy ordering systems and tailored menu choices. Businesses are making investments in mobile apps, online marketing, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered personalization to drive customer retention and engagement. As e-commerce penetration increases, particularly post-COVID-19 pandemic, customers are gradually becoming accustomed to buying perishable food items through online shopping. The subscription format is making it easy to buy by offering periodic deliveries and liberal cancellation terms. This digital growth is also helping businesses harvest rich customer information, which is being leveraged to customize menus and streamline supply chains. With consumers moving more toward online grocery shopping, the inclusion of meal kits in digital platforms is making the buying experience seamless, thus reinforcing the scalability and long-term growth prospects of the market. IMARC Group predicts that the global e-commerce market is projected to attain USD 214.5 Trillion by 2033.
Increasing Emphasis on Sustainability and Reduction of Food Waste
Sustainability issues are taking a strong hold in the meal kit industry as customers become increasingly aware of food waste and environmental responsibility. Meal kits are combating wastage through pre-measured ingredients, which are saving customers from over-buying and wastage. This efficiency is appealing to environmentally conscious consumers who are looking for sustainable consumption habits. Most of the providers are going green with packaging and procuring ingredients from nearby and sustainable farms, as part of the wider push toward ethical consumerism. With the issue of global food waste persisting, meal kits are taking on the role of being a convenient solution by ensuring minimum wastage of ingredients. Furthermore, companies are adding recyclable and compostable packaging elements to live up to sustainability standards. By offering convenience together with environment friendly practices, meal kits are of interest to socially conscious consumers who are seeking products that meet their beliefs.
Increased Urbanization and Lifestyle Changes
Urbanization in emerging economies is expediting lifestyle changes that are generating a high demand for meal kits. In city centers, people are facing time pressures, reduced living space, and diminished enthusiasm for conventional grocery shopping. Meal kits are solving these issues by presenting bite-sized, pre-prepared meals that suit urban lifestyles. Younger consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are appreciating experiences of cooking at home without spending too much time preparing. While dual-income households and single-family units are growing, meal kits are turning out to be an economical and hassle-free method to indulge in restaurant-standard meals at home. This societal change towards quicker living and instant satisfaction is highly syncing with the advantages of meal kits.
Growing Culinary Discovery and Tailoring
Food curiosity is propelling consumers to purchase meal kits, which are offering the ability to experiment with new dishes and cooking methods at home. Numerous people are finding enjoyment in learning to cook with instructions while learning more about various cuisines. Meal kits are acting as an entry point for consumers who are keen to experiment with flavors but do not have sufficient confidence or experience in cooking. Personalization elements, including dietary filters and adjustable portion sizes, are increasingly making meal kits more appealing by allowing for varied preferences. This is building a compelling experience that interacts with entertainment, education, and sustenance. Companies are also getting creative with seasonal menus and chef-driven recipes to maintain customer interest. Through the constant provision of variety and flexibility, meal kits are addressing both functional and desired needs of consumers. This culinary experimentation trend is paying dividends in the form of consumer loyalty and driving long-term market growth.
IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on meal type, offering type, and distribution channel.
Breakup by Meal Type:
Non-Vegetarian holds the largest market share.
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the meal kit market based on the meal type. This includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian. According to the report, non-vegetarian represented the largest market segment.
Non-vegetarian segment is dominating the market due to its extensive consumption of non-vegetarian food worldwide. Non-vegetarian foods white a wider variety of options, incorporating various types of meat like chicken, beef, fish, and others. This diversity leads to a greater number of innovative recipes and flavors, thereby attracting more consumers. Several consumers find preparing non-vegetarian dishes at home complex due to factors like difficulty in sourcing quality meats or uncertainty in handling and cooking various types of meat. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data by The Indian Express, in total, an overwhelming 83.4% of men and 70.6% of women in the 15-49 years age group have non-vegetarian food daily, weekly, or occasionally.
Breakup by Offering Type:
Cook and Eat holds the largest market share.
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the meal kit market based on the offering type. This includes heat and eat and cook and eat. According to the report, cook and eat represented the largest market segment.
The cook-and-eat meal kit segment is dominating the market as it provides consumers with an engaging and immersive culinary experience. The act of preparing meals from scratch allows users to learn new skills, try out new recipes, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating a meal. It also offers complete control over the freshness and quality of the food which is a significant advantage over ready-to-eat meals, where cooking processes have been completed beforehand. Cook-and-eat meal kits are considered healthier than their RTE counterparts as they tend to contain less sodium, sugar, and artificial ingredients.
Breakup by Distribution Channel:
Online holds the largest market share.
The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the meal kit market based on the distribution channel. This includes convenience stores, online, hypermarket/supermarket, and others. According to the report, online represented the largest market segment.
Online distribution channels are dominating the market as they allow consumers to browse, select, and order meal kits from the comfort of their homes, making it highly convenient. Several meal kit companies operate on a subscription model, which is easily managed online as it allows users to customize their orders, select delivery dates, and cancel their subscriptions with just a few clicks. Online distribution channel allows meal kit companies to reach a broad audience, not limited by geographical boundaries, which aids in widening the potential customer base.
Breakup by Region:
North America leads the market, accounting for the largest meal kit market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for meal kit.
The rising disposable income which allows discretionary spending on services like meal kits that provide convenience and variety is driving the market growth in the North American region. The fast-paced, busy lifestyle of people in North America is creating a high demand for convenient meal solutions that save time on meal planning, grocery shopping, and preparation. The growing Internet penetration rates and widespread adoption of e-commerce in the region are supporting the online distribution model used by many meal kit services further influencing the market demand. The presence of robust meal kit companies in the region is leading to early exposure and acceptance of the concept by consumers which is further facilitating the market growth across the region.
Report Features | Details |
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Base Year of the Analysis | 2024 |
Historical Period | 2019-2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Units | Billion USD |
Scope of the Report | Exploration of Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Catalysts and Challenges, Segment-Wise Historical and Predictive Market Assessment:
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Meal Types Covered | Vegetarian, Non-vegetarian |
Offering Types Covered | Heat and Eat, Cook and Eat |
Distribution Channels Covered | Convenience Stores, Online, Hypermarket/Supermarket, Others |
Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa |
Countries Covered | United States, Canada, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico |
Companies Covered | Albertsons Companies, Inc., Blue Apron LLC, Fresh n' Lean, Gobble Inc (Intelligent Foods), Gousto, HelloFresh, Hungryroot, MarleySpoon Pty Ltd, My Food Bag Ltd, Oisix ra daichi Inc., SimplyCook Ltd., etc. |
Customization Scope | 10% Free Customization |
Post-Sale Analyst Support | 10-12 Weeks |
Delivery Format | PDF and Excel through Email (We can also provide the editable version of the report in PPT/Word format on special request) |
Key Questions Answered in This Report:
Key Benefits for Stakeholders: