Online Food Delivery

The Online Food Delivery market in Central America is projected to reach a revenue of US$1.01bn in 2024.
It is expected to experience an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 11.32%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$1.72bn by 2029.
In the Grocery Delivery market, a revenue growth of 13.1% is anticipated in 2025.0.
The market is projected to have a volume of US$917.90m in 2024.
When compared globally, China is expected to generate the highest revenue, with US$450.50bn in 2024.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the Grocery Delivery market is projected to be US$139.70 in 2024.
In the Grocery Delivery market, the number of users is expected to reach 9.6m users by 2029.
User penetration in this market will be at 12.4% in 2024.
In Central America, the online food delivery market is experiencing rapid growth, with a surge in demand for convenient and affordable meal options.

Definition:

Online Food Delivery refers to the intersection of ordering groceries and prepared meals online. Orders are typically placed through an app or website and delivery times vary.

Structure:

The Online Food Delivery market contains the user and revenue development of two different delivery service solutions: (1) Meal Delivery and (2) Grocery Delivery. Included are services that deliver prepared meals and food ordered online for direct consumption (Meal Delivery) and non-prepared food and beverage products, household, and personal care products (Grocery Delivery). Meal delivery includes the delivery of meals carried out directly by restaurants (Restaurant Delivery) and online delivery services that provide customers with meals from partner restaurants that do not necessarily have to offer food delivery themselves (Platform Delivery). Grocery Delivery consists of fresh, nonprepared products delivered from supermarkets or retailers where delivery is scheduled (Retail Delivery), Delivery that is under 3 hours and operates dark stores or own warehouses (Quick Commerce), and prepared fresh ingredients to be prepared at home, typically offered through a subscription service (Meal Kit Delivery).

Additional Information:

Revenue figures are the gross merchandise value (GMV), defined as the total sales dollar value for merchandise/food sold through the Online Food Delivery marketplace. User and revenue figures represent B2C services.

Meals and groceries ordered online that are directly delivered by the restaurant, retailer, or platform no matter if ordered via a platform (e.g. Delivery Hero, Instacart) or a restaurant/retailer website (e.g. Domino's, Walmart.com)
Online meal and grocery order and delivery both carried out by a platform (e.g. Deliveroo, Grab, Flink)

Phone orders
Click & collect Grocery orders
Ready-to-eat meals

Central America, a region consisting of seven countries, has been experiencing a steady growth in the Online Food Delivery market. With the rise of technology and the increasing use of smartphones, the convenience of ordering food online has become a preferred option for many consumers.

Customer preferences: In Central America, customers prefer to order food online due to the ease of use and convenience it offers. Additionally, the ability to track their order and receive real-time updates on delivery status has become an important factor for customers. Furthermore, the variety of food options available online has led to an increase in demand for online food delivery services.

Trends in the market: In Costa Rica, the Online Food Delivery market has been growing rapidly due to the increasing number of restaurants offering delivery services. Additionally, the rise of digital payment methods has made it easier for customers to pay for their orders online. In Panama, the market has been growing due to the increasing number of expats and tourists who prefer to order food online. Furthermore, the demand for healthy food options has led to the rise of health-conscious food delivery services in the country.In Guatemala, the market has been growing due to the increasing number of young professionals who prefer to order food online. Additionally, the rise of food delivery apps has made it easier for customers to order food online. In El Salvador, the market has been growing due to the increasing number of restaurants offering delivery services. Furthermore, the rise of social media has made it easier for customers to discover new restaurants and food options.

Local special circumstances: In Nicaragua, the Online Food Delivery market has been growing despite the country's economic challenges. The convenience of online food delivery has become increasingly important for customers due to the country's limited transportation options. In Honduras, the market has been growing due to the increasing number of middle-class consumers who prefer to order food online. Additionally, the rise of food delivery apps has made it easier for customers to order food online.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The Online Food Delivery market in Central America has been growing due to the increasing use of technology and the rise of digital payment methods. Additionally, the convenience of online food delivery has become increasingly important for customers with busy lifestyles. Furthermore, the rise of social media has made it easier for customers to discover new restaurants and food options.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and represent what consumers pay for these products and services. The user metrics show the number of customers who have made at least one online purchase within the past 12 months.

Modeling approach / Market size:

Market sizes are determined through a bottom-up approach, building on predefined factors for each market. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use annual financial reports of the market-leading companies, third-party studies and reports, as well as survey results from our primary research (e.g., the Statista Global Consumer Survey). In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, GDP per capita, and internet connection speed. 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 S-curve function and exponential trend smoothing. The main drivers are internet users, urban population, usage of key players, and attitudes toward online services.

Additional notes:

The market is updated twice a year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. GCS data is reweighted for representativeness.

This report presents a comprehensive analysis and additional information on the Ecommerce market, in a PDF format.