North America Ready Meals Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Frozen Ready Meals, Canned Ready Meals, and Dried Ready Meals), By Category (Conventional Meals and Free-from Meals), and North America Ready Meals Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

North America Ready Meals Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The North America Ready Meals Market Size Was Estimated at USD 76.95 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of Around 5.25% from 2025 to 2035
• The North America Ready Meals Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 135.10 Billion by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The North America Ready Meals Market Size is anticipated to reach USD 135.10 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 5.25% from 2025 to 2035. The ready meals sector in North America is undergoing notable changes, fuelled by evolving consumer demographics and lifestyle trends.

Market Overview

The North America ready meals market consists of pre-prepared, packaged food products that require minimal heating or cooking before consumption. This market is primarily driven by busier lifestyles, increasing workforce participation, and the growing demand for convenient, time-saving meal solutions. The rise of single-person households and the influence of diverse culinary trends also contribute significantly to market expansion. Key growth factors include advancements in packaging technology that extend shelf life and preserve quality, alongside robust distribution networks through supermarkets, hypermarkets, and e-commerce platforms. Health-oriented innovation, such as the incorporation of organic, gluten-free, and plant-based options, is increasingly shaping product development. While stringent FDA and CFIA regulations on food safety, labeling, and nutritional content pose challenges, government dietary guidelines indirectly promote the industry by encouraging balanced nutrition, supporting sustained market growth amid evolving consumer preferences.  

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the North America ready meals market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the North America ready meals market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the North America ready meals market.

Driving Factors

The market is propelled by consumers' busy lifestyles and demand for convenience, driving uptake of time-saving meal solutions. Growth in dual-income households and urbanization further boosts demand. Health trends are shifting the market toward nutritious, organic, and clean-label options. Innovation in packaging and preservation technologies enhances product quality and shelf life. Expansion of retail and e-commerce channels improves product accessibility. Additionally, the influence of global cuisines and flavor variety attracts a broader consumer base seeking diverse and convenient dining experiences.

Restraining Factors

Restraining factors include growing health concerns over high sodium, preservatives, and processed ingredients. Stringent government regulations on labeling, nutrition, and food safety increase compliance costs. Competition from fresh meal delivery services and consumer preference for homemade, natural alternatives also challenge market growth.

Market Segmentation

The North America ready meals market share is classified into product type and category.

• The frozen ready meals segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The North America ready meals market is segmented by product type into frozen ready meals, canned ready meals, and dried ready meals. Among these, the frozen ready meals segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This dominance is driven by consumer demand for convenience, longer shelf life, perceived freshness, and advancements in freezing technology that better preserve taste, texture, and nutritional value compared to other segments.

• The conventional meals segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The North America ready meals market is segmented by category into conventional meals and free-from meals. Among these, the conventional meals segment held a significant share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier, allergen-free, and diet-specific options, including gluten-free, organic, plant-based, and low-preservative ready meals, reflecting a shift toward clean-label and wellness-oriented eating habits.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the North America ready meals market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Hormel Foods Corporation
• Mars Incorporated
• Conagra Brands
• Ebro Foods SA
• Nestle SA
• The Kraft Heinz Company
• Campbell Soup Company
• Unilever PLC
• HelloFresh Group
• General Mills Inc.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at North America, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the North America ready meals market based on the following segments:

North America Ready Meals Market, By Product Type

• Frozen Ready Meals
• Canned Ready Meals
• Dried Ready Meals

North America Ready Meals Market, By Category

• Conventional Meals
• Free-from Meals