Ready-to-Eat Meals - Italy

Italy

Highlights

Revenue in the Ready-to-Eat Meals market amounts to US$5.66bn in 2024. The market is expected to grow annually by 3.19% (CAGR 2024-2029).
In global comparison, most revenue is generated China (US$149bn in 2024).
In relation to total population figures, per person revenues of US$96.36 are generated in 2024.
In the Ready-to-Eat Meals market, volume is expected to amount to 862.30m kg by 2029. The Ready-to-Eat Meals market is expected to show a volume growth of 1.2% in 2025.0.
The average volume per person in the Ready-to-Eat Meals market is expected to amount to 13.9kg in 2024.

Key regions:

Market definitionIn-Scope/Out-of-scopeMarket structureMethodology

The Ready-to-Eat Meals market in Italy is experiencing negligible growth, influenced by factors such as increasing demand for convenience food, changing lifestyles, and busy work schedules. This trend is expected to continue due to the convenience and time-saving offered by these meals.

Customer preferences: As the convenience food market continues to expand in Italy, the ready-to-eat meals segment has seen a rise in demand due to changing consumer preferences. With busy lifestyles and increasing health consciousness, consumers are now seeking healthier and more convenient food options. This has led to a surge in demand for ready-to-eat meals that are not only convenient but also offer healthier alternatives to traditional fast food options. This trend is also driven by the growing interest in plant-based and organic options, as well as the rise of online food delivery services, catering to the busy and health-conscious consumer.

Trends in the market: In Italy, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market within the Convenience Food Market is experiencing a surge in demand due to changing consumer lifestyles and increasing urbanization. This trend is expected to continue as people prioritize convenience and time-saving options. Additionally, there is a growing demand for healthier and more sustainable ready-to-eat meals, leading to a rise in plant-based and organic options. This shift towards healthier choices is also driving innovation in packaging and production methods. These trends have significant implications for industry stakeholders, who must adapt to changing consumer preferences and invest in sustainable and nutritious options to remain competitive in the market.

Local special circumstances: In Italy, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is heavily influenced by the country's strong culinary culture and preference for locally sourced ingredients. This has led to a wide variety of traditional and regional dishes being offered as ready-to-eat options. Additionally, strict labeling laws and regulations ensure the quality and authenticity of these meals, further driving consumer demand. In contrast, other markets may not have such stringent regulations, leading to a different product landscape and consumer preferences.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The growth of the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is also influenced by macroeconomic factors such as consumer spending patterns, disposable income levels, and consumer preferences for convenience and time-saving options. Countries with stable economic conditions and higher disposable incomes are likely to have a larger market size for ready-to-eat meals, as consumers are more willing to pay for the convenience and easy availability of these products. Additionally, government policies and tax regulations that support the growth of the convenience food industry, as well as investments in food processing and packaging technologies, are also important determinants of market performance.

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.