Meal Delivery - Central America | Statista Market Forecast

Revenue in the Meal Delivery market in Central America is projected to reach US$90.56m in 2024.
The market is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 9.73%, resulting in a projected market volume of US$144.10m by 2029.
The Platform Deliverymarket in Central America has a projected market volume of US$67.35m in 2024.
In global comparison, most revenue will be generated China, with US$184.50bn in 2024.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) in the Meal Delivery market in Central America is projected to amount to US$31.81 in 2024.
The number of users in the Meal Delivery market is expected to amount to 4.2m users by 2029.
User penetration in the Meal Delivery market will be at 5.4% in 2024.
In Central America, the demand for meal delivery services is rapidly increasing, with a growing number of consumers opting for convenient and time-saving food options.

Definition:

Meal Delivery is the online ordering and delivery of prepared meals by a restaurant or a platform for direct consumption. Orders are typically placed in an app or on a website. The delivery is handled by the platform enterprise (e.g. Deliveroo) or directly by the restaurant (e.g. Domino’s).

Structure:

Meal Delivery contains the user and revenue development of two different delivery service solutions for prepared meals: (1) Restaurant Delivery and (2) Platform Delivery. The Restaurant Delivery market includes the delivery of meals carried out directly by the restaurants. The order may be made via platforms (e.g. Delivery Hero, Just Eat) or directly through a restaurant website (e.g. Domino's). The Platform Delivery market focuses on online delivery services that provide customers with meals from partner restaurants that do not necessarily have to offer food delivery themselves. In this case, the platform (e.g. Deliveroo) handles the delivery process.).

Additional Information:

Revenue includes 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 ordered online which are directly delivered by the restaurant, no matter if ordered via a platform (e.g. Delivery Hero) or a restaurant website (e.g. Domino's)
Online meal order and delivery both carried out by a platform (e.g. Deliveroo)
Online orders that are picked up in the restaurant

Phone orders
Deliveries of non-processed or non-prepared food (e.g. HelloFresh)

The convenience of meal delivery has been growing in popularity in Central America, offering a solution to busy lifestyles and the need for quick and easy meals.

Customer preferences: Customers in Central America are increasingly looking for convenience and speed in their food options, with meal delivery services meeting these needs. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards healthier eating, with many meal delivery services offering nutritious and balanced options.

Trends in the market: In Costa Rica, the meal delivery market has seen significant growth in recent years, with a rise in the number of delivery services and the expansion of existing services. This growth is fueled by the increasing demand for convenience and the popularity of healthy eating. In Guatemala, there has been a shift towards more affordable meal delivery options, with many services offering budget-friendly meal plans. El Salvador has seen a rise in the popularity of meal delivery services that cater to specific dietary requirements, such as vegan or gluten-free options.

Local special circumstances: Central America is a region with a diverse range of cuisines, and meal delivery services are capitalizing on this by offering a variety of options to customers. In addition, many services are partnering with local restaurants to offer a wider range of meals and provide support to small businesses.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The growth of the meal delivery market in Central America can be attributed to several underlying macroeconomic factors. The region has seen a rise in urbanization and a growing middle class, leading to an increase in demand for convenience. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of meal delivery services, as more people are staying at home and avoiding crowded public spaces. Finally, the rise of digital technology has made it easier and more efficient to order and deliver meals, further contributing to the growth of the market.

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.

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