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Prepared Meal Production in Europe - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)

ISIC 1075 March 2024 Spotlight Report

Revenue

€25.8bn

2019-2024 3.2 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

150k

2019-2024 3.4 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Businesses

7,596

2019-2024 5.5 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Profit

€X.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %

Profit Margin

X.X%

2019-2024 X.X pp

Wages

€X.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry analysis

Europe's prepared meal manufacturing industry is witnessing significant evolution, driven primarily by shifts in consumer preferences towards healthier, more convenient and sustainable food options. As lives get busier, many Europeans are gravitating towards ready-to-eat meals to save time, without compromising taste or nutritional value. The surge in vegetarian and vegan diets has prompted manufacturers to incorporate more plant-based options to cater to this growing demographic. This changing landscape underscores the industry’s responsiveness to consumer demands, showcasing a blend of innovation and adaptation in meeting the diverse needs of European consumers.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Prepared Meal Production in Europe key trends

Prepared meals are booming due to busy lifestyles.

 

In Europe, especially in the UK, France and Germany, folks are opting for these convenient, nutritionally balanced options to fit their hectic schedules, making home cooking less necessary.

Sustainability shapes the future of prepared meals.

 

As consumers increasingly prefer eco-conscious options, companies are pivoting towards sustainable sourcing and packaging to meet this growing demand and minimise their environmental impact.

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Prepared Meal Production in Europe

Industry Revenue

Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.

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Prepared Meal Production in Europe market size (2019-2024)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 3.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €25.8bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Vegetarian and vegan diets meals are on the rise

  • Demand for vegetarian and vegan meal options has soared in recent years in Europe. This trend has caused manufacturers to update their menu offerings to cater to this demographic.

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Prepared Meal Production in Europe outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Home-delivered ready-meals are thriving

  • E-commerce is revolutionising the prepared meal industry in Europe, with home-delivered ready meals surging in popularity.

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Revenue

€25.8bn

2019-2024 3.2 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

150k

2019-2024 3.4 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Wages

€X.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

European Leaders & Laggards

Europe Job Growth CAGR: 3.4 % *
  • Job Growth

Top 5 Countries

  1. Russia +83.5%
  2. France +11.8%
  3. Malta +11.1%
  4. Denmark +9.1%
  5. Estonia +8.9%

Bottom 5 Countries

  1. Romania -13.2%
  2. Turkey -5.1%
  3. Norway -4.1%
  4. Cyprus -2.0%
  5. Netherlands -1.8%

* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.

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Biggest companies in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Profit (€m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Nomad Foods Europe Ltd
3,140.0
463.0
14.7
Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG
7,338.1
632.2
8.6
Nestlé SA
109,921.1
17,402.9
15.8

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Prepared Meal Production in Europe

Products & Services Segmentation

Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.

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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe in 2024?

The market size of the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe is €25.8bn in 2024. 

How many businesses are there in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry in 2024?

There are 7,596 businesses in the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 5.5 % between 2019 and 2024. 

What is the forecast growth of the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Prepared Meal Production market in Europe?

The biggest companies operating in the Prepared Meal Production market in Europe are Nomad Foods Europe Ltd, Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG and Nestlé SA

What does the Prepared Meal Production in Europe include?

Prepared meat meals and Prepared fish meals are part of the Prepared Meal Production industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe?

The company holding the most market share in Europe is Nomad Foods Europe Ltd.

Which countries have the most businesses in the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe?

The European country with the most businesses in the Prepared Meal Production industry is Poland.

How competitive is the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Prepared Meal Production industry in Europe.

Related Industries

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Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Operators in this industry manufacture ready-made meals and dishes that are already seasoned and cooked. Prepared dishes must contain at least two ingredients in addition to seasonings. These meals are preserved, such as in frozen or canned form.

Related Terms

GLUTEN-FREEOWN-LABELCONVENIENCE PRODUCT

What's included in this industry?

Prepared meat mealsPrepared fish mealsPrepared vegetarian and vegan mealsPrepared pasta dishesOther prepared dishes

Companies

Nomad Foods Europe LtdDr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KGNestlé SA

Industry Code

ISIC 2006

1075 - Manufacture of prepared meals and dishes in Europe

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Performance

Key Takeaways

Vegetarian and vegan diets meals are on the rise

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Revenue Highlights

Trends
  • Revenue
  • 2024 Revenue CAGR
  • Revenue Volatility

Employment Highlights

Trends
  • Employees
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Employee

Business Highlights

Trends
  • Businesses
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Business

Profit Highlights

Trends
  • Total Profit
  • Profit Margin
  • Profit per Business

Current Performance

Charts
  • Revenue in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Employees in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Business in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Profit in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis

What's driving current industry performance in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry?


Outlook

Analysis

What's driving the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry outlook?


Volatility

Analysis

What influences volatility in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix

Life Cycle

Analysis

What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Life Cycle Matrix

Products and Markets

Highlights

Trends
  • Largest Market
  • Product Innovation

Key Takeaways

Demand for meat dishes declines as flexitarian diets gain popularity. More and more European consumers are reducing their meat consumption and switching towards more vegetarian and vegan meal choices.

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Products and Services

Charts
  • Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis

How are the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry's products and services performing?

Analysis

What are innovations in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry's products and services?


Major Markets

Charts
  • Major Market Segmentation
Analysis

What influences demand in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry?


International Trade

Highlights

  • Largest Importer
  • Smallest Importer
  • Total Imports into Europe
  • Largest Exporter
  • Smallest Exporter
  • Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
  • Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
  • Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables

Value and annual change (%) included

  • Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)

Geographic Breakdown

Business Locations

Heat maps
  • Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)

Industry Geographic Breakdown

Data Tables

Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:

  • Revenue (2024)
  • IVA (2024)
  • Enterprises (2024)
  • Employment (2024)
  • Exports (2024)
  • Imports (2024)

Competitive Forces

Highlights

Trends
  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power

Key Takeaways

Success in Europe’s meal prep industry is driven by innovation. Companies that consistently offer fresh, unique, and convenient meal options attract more customers, thereby increasing their market share.

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Supply Chain

Charts

Buyer and supply industries

Companies

Market Share

Charts
  • Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)

Companies

Data Tables

Top 7 companies by market share:

  • Market share (2024)
  • Revenue (2024)
  • Profit (2024)
  • Profit Margin (2024)

Data Tables
  • Countries of operation for Nomad Foods Europe Ltd
  • Countries of operation for Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG
  • Countries of operation for Nestlé SA
  • Countries of operation for Mars Inc
  • Countries of operation for The Kraft Heinz Company
  • Countries of operation for Bakkavor Group plc
  • Countries of operation for The GB Foods SA

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Strict regulations govern the food market in Europe. Such policies ensure food safety, control nutritional content and maintain high quality standards across the sector.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

The prepared meal sector faces tough profitability challenges. Rising food costs and fierce competition from newcomers have squeezed margins, forcing established companies to innovate without significantly raising prices to keep consumers interested.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Prepared Meal Production in Europe industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and boottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2024)
  • Business Growth (2024)
  • Job Growth (2024)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2024)
  • Imports/Demand (2024)
  • Exports/Revenue (2024)
  • Revenue per Employee (2024)
  • Wages/Revenue (2024)
  • Employees per Establishment (2024)
  • Average Wage (2024)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.

To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.