Ready-to-Eat Meals - Southern Africa

Southern Africa

Highlights

Revenue in the Ready-to-Eat Meals market amounts to US$1.77bn in 2024. The market is expected to grow annually by 5.73% (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$25.23 are generated in 2024.
In the Ready-to-Eat Meals market, volume is expected to amount to 331.60m kg by 2029. The Ready-to-Eat Meals market is expected to show a volume growth of 1.6% in 2025.0.
The average volume per person in the Ready-to-Eat Meals market is expected to amount to 4.4kg in 2024.

Key regions:

Market definitionIn-Scope/Out-of-scopeMarket structureMethodology

The Ready-to-Eat Meals market in the Convenience Food Market in Southern Africa has seen minimal growth, affected by factors such as consumer preferences for freshly prepared meals and increasing health concerns about processed foods. However, convenience and time-saving offered by these meals continue to drive the market's steady growth.

Customer preferences: As consumers in Southern Africa continue to prioritize convenience and efficiency in their daily lives, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market has seen a rise in demand for healthier and more diverse options. This is especially evident in the growing popularity of plant-based and organic ready-to-eat meals, as well as an increase in demand for ethnic and international flavors. This trend is driven by a growing awareness of the importance of a balanced and varied diet, as well as a desire for more adventurous and flavorful meal options.

Trends in the market: In Southern Africa, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is seeing a rise in demand for healthier options, such as plant-based and organic options. There is also a growing trend of meal delivery services, offering convenient and nutritious meals to busy consumers. These trends indicate a shift towards healthier and more convenient food choices, which could have implications for industry stakeholders, such as the need for innovation and diversification of product offerings. Additionally, with the rise of e-commerce in the region, there is potential for online ordering and delivery of ready-to-eat meals to become a significant channel for sales.

Local special circumstances: In Southern Africa, the Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is heavily influenced by the region's diverse cultural and culinary traditions. The demand for convenience food is driven by busy lifestyles and the growing urban population. However, the market is also shaped by regulatory factors, such as import restrictions on certain ingredients and packaging materials. Additionally, factors like food safety and sustainability play a major role in shaping consumer preferences and market dynamics in this region.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The Ready-to-Eat Meals Market of the Convenience Food Market within The Food market is greatly impacted by macroeconomic factors in Southern Africa. Economic trends, such as GDP growth and inflation rates, can affect consumer spending power and demand for convenience food products. Similarly, the national economic health of a country, such as unemployment rates and income levels, can also influence market performance. Fiscal policies, such as tax rates and import/export regulations, can also impact the production and distribution of ready-to-eat meals. Additionally, other financial indicators, such as currency exchange rates and interest rates, can affect the cost of ingredients and production costs, ultimately affecting the overall market growth in the region.

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.