Meal Kits Market: Evolving Trends | CAGR of 22.6%

Overview

New York, NY – August 25, 2025 – The global meal kits market is rapidly expanding and is projected to reach around USD 137.3 billion by 2034, up from USD 17.9 billion in 2024. This impressive growth, at a CAGR of 22.6% from 2025 to 2034, highlights the rising demand for convenient, healthy, and home-prepared meal solutions. Meal kits typically include pre-portioned, and sometimes partially-prepared, ingredients along with recipes delivered directly to consumers’ homes. They aim to simplify meal preparation while reducing time spent in the kitchen and cutting down on food waste.

 This market growth is particularly strong in urban areas, where fast-paced lifestyles and time constraints drive consumer interest. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 6% of global consumers have subscribed to a meal kit service, with urban adoption being significantly higher. In the U.S., for instance, the Department of Agriculture reported that the meal kit market was valued at $4.5 billion in 2022, marking a 20% year-over-year increase. Similar growth patterns are observed in Europe and Asia, where consumer preferences for quality and convenience are fueling demand.

Several trends are contributing to the meal kits market’s momentum. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing health and wellness, and many meal kits are designed to offer balanced, nutritious options. The rise in dual-income households also means less time is available for traditional meal preparation, making meal kits a practical alternative. Furthermore, growing environmental awareness is pushing consumers towards meal kits, as their precise ingredient portions help reduce food waste.

Key Takeaways

• The global meal kits market is projected to grow from USD 17.9 billion in 2024 to approximately USD 137.3 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 22.6% over the forecast period.
• The non-vegetarian segment leads the market, accounting for over 64.20% of the total share.
• Among product types, “Cook and Eat” meal kits dominate, representing more than 62.10% of the market share.
• Single-serving meal kits hold a significant lead, capturing over 65.30% of the overall market.
• Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the primary distribution channels, contributing to more than 43.30% of the market share.
• The family consumer segment maintains a strong presence in the market, with a share exceeding 42.10%.

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Key Market Segments

1. By Type Analysis

• In 2024, Cook and Eat meal kits held a leading position in the market with a share of over 62.1%, showcasing the strong consumer preference for meal kits that offer a complete, hands-on cooking experience. These kits appeal to individuals who enjoy the process of preparing meals but want to avoid the time-consuming tasks of grocery shopping and meal planning. By providing pre-portioned ingredients along with easy-to-follow recipes, Cook and Eat kits strike a balance between convenience and the satisfaction of cooking from scratch. This segment continues to attract a wide range of consumers, particularly those with busy schedules who still want to maintain control over what they eat.

2. Offering Analysis

• Single-service meal kits captured a dominant 65.3% share of the market in 2024, underlining the rising demand for personalized meal solutions. These kits are especially favored by solo diners, young professionals, and people with unique dietary needs who seek convenience without compromising on quality or nutrition. The single-serving format eliminates over-preparation and helps reduce food waste, which adds to its appeal. As more consumers opt for on-the-go lifestyles and flexible eating habits, the popularity of single-service meal kits continues to grow, becoming a preferred choice for those looking for quick, easy, and customized meal options.

3. Distribution Channel Analysis

• Supermarkets and hypermarkets emerged as the top distribution channel in 2024, accounting for more than 43.3% of the meal kits market. These retail outlets benefit from their widespread presence and the ability to offer consumers the convenience of purchasing meal kits alongside their regular groceries. With a variety of brands and kit options available in one place, shoppers find it easy to compare and choose according to their preferences and dietary requirements. Additionally, the immediate availability of products without waiting for delivery enhances the appeal of these stores, making them a popular destination for customers looking for ready-to-cook meal solutions.

4. End-users Analysis

• The family segment secured a strong foothold in the meal kits market in 2024, holding more than a 42.1% share. Meal kits designed for families are increasingly popular due to their ability to simplify meal preparation while ensuring balanced and tasty meals for all age groups. These kits help families save time and reduce food waste, making them an efficient and practical solution for modern households. Busy parents, in particular, find value in the convenience of pre-planned meals that reduce the daily stress of cooking, allowing more quality time to be spent with family. This growing preference reflects a broader shift toward smarter, time-saving food choices that don’t sacrifice nutritional value.

Regional Analysis

• In 2024, North America emerged as the leading region in the global meal kits market, commanding a significant 43.30% market share, which translates to an estimated value of USD 7.7 billion. This strong regional dominance can be attributed to a combination of consumer behavior, evolving food preferences, and favorable market conditions that support the widespread adoption of meal kits.
• Consumers across North America, particularly in the U.S. and Canada, have increasingly leaned towards convenient food solutions that also meet their health and nutritional needs. The popularity of meal kits in the region is largely driven by busy lifestyles and rising health awareness. High internet and smartphone penetration have made it easier for consumers to access meal kit services through digital platforms, apps, and subscription models. The appeal of receiving pre-portioned ingredients and curated recipes directly at their doorstep resonates with time-conscious individuals and families seeking easy yet nutritious meal options.
• Additionally, the region benefits from an advanced logistics infrastructure and efficient supply chain systems, which play a key role in supporting the growth of the meal kits industry. These capabilities allow companies to maintain product freshness, minimize delivery times, and reduce food waste. A competitive market landscape—with several established and emerging players has further encouraged innovation, improved service quality, and expanded product variety, ultimately enhancing the overall consumer experience and driving sustained growth in the North American meal kits market.

Top Use Cases

• Time-Conscious Consumers: Busy professionals and dual-income households opt for meal kits to save time on planning, shopping, and prep. They enjoy the ease of receiving pre‑measured fresh ingredients and recipes at home, enabling quick, nutritious meals without stress perfect for hectic weeknights and fast-paced lifestyles.
• Health-Focused Individuals: Health‑aware consumers choose meal kits to access balanced, portion‑controlled ingredients tailored to dietary goals such as vegetarian, keto, gluten‑free or low‑calorie menus. Nutritional information and variety help them maintain healthy eating habits without compromising taste or convenience.
• Cooking Skill Improvement: Beginner cooks and those looking to expand their culinary skills rely on meal kits for guided cooking experiences. Easy‑to‑follow recipe cards and measured ingredients offer confidence to try new dishes and learn cooking techniques, all without the hassle of ingredient sourcing or planning.
• Reducing Food Waste: Environmentally conscious users leverage meal kits to minimize food waste. By delivering only the exact portions needed, these kits help households use ingredients completely and avoid spoilage. This approach supports sustainability goals and waste reduction in everyday meal preparation.
• Personalized Meal Planning: Customers with dietary restrictions or specific tastes—like allergy-aware, vegan or flexitarian eaters benefit from highly customizable meal kit options. Subscription platforms let them choose menus, swap ingredients, and adjust serving sizes, offering tailored food solutions that fit individual needs easily.
• Family Convenience Solutions: Families looking for balanced, home‑cooked meals without lengthy prep lean on family-size meal kits. These kits simplify planning and cooking multiple servings at once, offer variety for different age groups, and reduce daily kitchen stress making mealtime more efficient and enjoyable.
• Experimenting with New Cuisines: Consumers eager to explore global flavors use meal kits to sample diverse cuisines—like Mediterranean, Korean, or Indian without committing to major ingredient purchases. These curated recipes offer exposure to new dishes at home, boosting variety and culinary discovery.

Recent Developments

1. Nestlé S.A.

• In a strategic shift, Nestlé recently ceased its Freshly direct-to-consumer meal delivery service, choosing instead to focus on its retail and foodservice operations. This move comes after acquiring Freshly in 2020 for approximately USD 950 million. Nestlé stated the economics of the direct delivery model didn’t align with their longer‑term goals, prompting a pivot toward in‑store channels and partner distribution formats. This adjustment underscores Nestlé’s intent to integrate meal kits more broadly into existing retail frameworks and professional food service operations, rather than continuing standalone delivery.

2. HelloFresh SE

• HelloFresh is investing heavily around USD 70 million into AI-powered meal planning, aiming to more than double the number of recipe offerings and improve personalization by late 2025. The company also announced product enhancements and operational efficiencies expected to generate annual cost savings of roughly €300 million by 2026. Additionally, a menu revamp launched in August 2025 significantly expands the selection of quick‑prep, high‑protein, global‑flavor meals. These initiatives are aligned with HelloFresh’s strategic growth outlook and drive toward increased automation and consumer choice.

3. Blue Apron, LLC

• Blue Apron has expanded its lineup of ready-to-bake offerings like the Assemble & Bake series featuring pre-chopped ingredients inside recyclable baking tins to simplify meal prep and cleanup. It also promoted its “Customer Favorites” bundled boxes for two people, with seasonal and chef curated meals. Blue Apron continues to position itself with appealing family-style and freshness-oriented meal kits while offering value promotions, such as limited‑time discounts. These updates aim to enhance convenience and maintain competitive pricing in the evolving meal kit space.

4. Sunbasket

• Sunbasket has positioned itself in 2025 as the top healthy meal kit, recognized for its dietitian‑approved, nutrition‑focused offerings tailored to sustainability and clean‑eating lifestyles. As back‑to‑school season begins, Sunbasket is promoting stress‑free family meal solutions that offer quick, nutritious options catering to parents balancing busy schedules. The company emphasizes organic produce, sustainable sourcing, and customizable menu plans to meet diverse dietary needs. Sunbasket is reinforcing its brand as a trusted choice for health‑centric consumers seeking variety and convenience without compromising quality.

Conclusion

Perspectives around convenience, health, customization, sustainability, and diverse culinary experiences are the most influential keywords shaping the meal kits industry. These themes highlight consumer demands for easy yet nutritious meals, personalized dietary plans, environmentally responsible packaging, and international flavors delivered at home. Across market trends, these keyword clusters drive product development, marketing messaging, and platform strategies—supporting both growth and alignment with evolving consumer priorities in the meal kit segment.

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