Convenience Food - Italy

Italy

Highlights

Revenue in the Convenience Food market amounts to US$6.64bn in 2024. The market is expected to grow annually by 3.67% (CAGR 2024-2029).
In global comparison, most revenue is generated China (US$154bn in 2024).
In relation to total population figures, per person revenues of US$113.20 are generated in 2024.
In the Convenience Food market, volume is expected to amount to 1.16bn kg by 2029. The Convenience Food market is expected to show a volume growth of 2.1% in 2025.0.
The average volume per person in the Convenience Food market is expected to amount to 17.9kg in 2024.

Key regions:

Market definitionIn-Scope/Out-of-scopeMarket structureReportsMethodology

The Convenience Food Market in Italy is seeing minimal growth, influenced by factors such as increasing demand for ready-to-eat meals and soups, as well as the convenience of online food services. Other factors contributing to the market's growth include changing consumer preferences towards healthier food options and the convenience offered by digital technologies. However, challenges such as the high competition and price sensitivity among consumers are impacting the market's growth rate.

Customer preferences: With the busy and fast-paced lifestyle of modern Italians, there has been a noticeable increase in demand for convenient and quick food options. This has led to a rise in popularity for ready-to-eat meals and grab-and-go snacks. Additionally, with the ongoing trend of health and wellness, there has been a shift towards healthier convenience food options, such as fresh salads and organic ready meals. This is also reflected in the growing demand for gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options in the convenience food market. As Italian consumers become more health-conscious, convenience food brands are adapting and offering healthier alternatives to cater to changing preferences.

Trends in the market: In Italy, the Convenience Food market is experiencing a shift towards healthier options, with a focus on organic and natural ingredients. This trend is driven by increasing health consciousness among consumers and their desire for convenient yet nutritious meal options. As a result, there has been a rise in the availability of healthy convenience food products, such as organic ready-to-eat meals and snacks. This trend is expected to continue, with potential implications for industry stakeholders such as manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Manufacturers may need to adapt their product offerings to meet the demand for healthier options, while retailers may need to re-evaluate their shelf space allocation. Consumers, on the other hand, can expect a wider range of healthier and convenient food choices.

Local special circumstances: In Italy, the Convenience Food Market is heavily influenced by the country's love for food and the importance placed on traditional, home-cooked meals. Despite the rise in convenience food options, Italians still prioritize fresh, high-quality ingredients and prefer to dine out at local restaurants. Additionally, the strict regulations on food labeling and packaging have resulted in a slower adoption of pre-packaged convenience foods. This unique cultural and regulatory context has shaped the convenience food market in Italy, making it less reliant on pre-made meals and more focused on quick, but still traditional, options such as pre-cut vegetables or ready-to-eat deli meats.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The Convenience Food Market in Italy is heavily influenced by macroeconomic factors such as consumer spending power, population demographics, and government policies. With the rising trend of urbanization and busy lifestyles, consumers are increasingly turning towards convenient and ready-to-eat food options. This is further supported by the growing number of working professionals and time-poor individuals in the country. Additionally, government initiatives promoting healthy eating habits and increasing consumer awareness about the nutritional value of convenience food products are also driving market growth. However, the market is also facing challenges due to increasing health concerns and the growing trend of clean-label and organic food products. As a result, players in the Convenience Food Market in Italy are increasingly investing in research and development to offer healthier and more sustainable options to consumers, further propelling market growth.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on the total consumer spending on food, which comprises all private household spending on food that is meant for at-home consumption (out-of-home consumption is not accounted for).

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a top-down approach, building on specific predefined factors for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use resources from the Statista platform as well as in-house market research, national statistical offices, international institutions, trade associations, companies, the trade press, and the experience of our analysts. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, consumer spending, and consumer price index. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the exponential trend smoothing is well suited for forecasting the Food market with a projected steady growth. The main drivers are GDP per capita and consumer spending per capita.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year.