Microwavable Foods Market

Global Microwavable Food Market Size (2024 to 2029)

Microwavable food was valued at USD 134.12 billion in 2024 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.5% to reach the value of USD 175.29 billion by 2029.

Microwavable foods require less time for preparation and can be cooked using a conventional microwave oven. It contains shelf-stable, chilled& frozen meals such as pork, poultry, seafood, beef, vegetarian meals, frozen & chilled pizza, and soups.

MARKET DRIVERS

The huge demand for easy and convenient meals is the major factor in the growth of microwavable food.

The other factors include the expansion of the urban population and nuclear families, and the increasing number of working women is accelerating the demand for microwavable food. The demand for ready-to-eat food items is projected to be driven by people's busy and hectic lifestyles, which is anticipated to increase demand for the global market for microwaveable foods. In addition to this, the high standards of living, and the rapid growth of huge retail chains contribute to the expansion of the Global Microwavable Food market.

Some nutrients degrade when they're exposed to heat, whether by microwave or an ordinary oven. For example, because microwave cooking durations are shorter, using a microwave to prepare food preserves more nutrients like vitamin C and other ingredients that degrade when heated.The food that is cooked quickly, without taking much time for heating the food and that uses less liquid preserves the nutrients of that food. Microwaving helps preserve these essential nutrients as they involve less time for preparing or heating food. When food is heated in the microwave with a small amount of water, it is usually steam-cooked from the inside out. This demonstrates that microwave meals can be nutritional as they retain more vitamins and minerals than almost any other type of cooking.The microwavable food market is expected to present a lucrative opportunity for players due to rising R&D efforts by several manufacturers of microwaveable food. For advancements in freezing technology and the rising establishment of numerous fast-food outlets in developing economies, several producers of microwavable food are investing in R&D.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Rising health concerns due to frozen, refrigerated, and shelf foods, and raising awareness of nutrient content in ready-to-eat foods may hamper the growth of Microwaveable food. People believe that food prepared several months or more before it is consumed is unhealthy. This may be another factor hindering the overall growth of the global microwave food market.

REPORT COVERAGE

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL MICROWAVABLE FOOD MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global microwavable food market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on product, type, consumption, distribution channel, and region.

Global Microwavable Food Market By Product Type

• Shelf Stable
• Chilled Food
• Frozen Food

Based on product type, shelf-stable foods are dominating the microwaveable food Market due to their stability, quality, and long-life features.

Shelf Stable foods enable us to store food in our homes and pantries for a longer period resulting in limited trips to grocery stores. It also costs less when compared to the traditional way of cooking. These factors are boosting the growth of the Shelf stable microwavable food segment.

Global Microwavable Food Market By Packaging Type

• Trays
• Folding Cartons
• Cups, Tubs, and Bowls
• Bags and Pouches
• Sleeves

Global Microwavable Food Market By Packaging Technology

• Patterned Susceptors Technology
• New Tray-lidding Methods
• New Cook Bag Technique

Based on packaging technology, Patterned Susceptors Technology is holding a significant share in the Microwaveable food market.

Susceptors are designed to cook food quickly in a microwave oven and to make it resemble the same food as traditionally cooked. In order to prevent overheating and overcooking and raise the filling temperature of the food product, prevent delamination of the container in the folded region, and encourage an adequate level of cooking of the food product crust the patterned susceptors technology is used.

Global Microwavable Food Market By Distribution Channel

• Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Online Sales Channel
• Others

The demand for microwaveable goods is fuelled by the rapid growth in the number of large retail chains, including supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Based on Hypermarkets/Supermarkets are expected to lead the Microwavable food market. Moreover, the huge availability of consumer goods under one roof, the availability of abundant parking, and convenient operating hours all contribute to the hypermarket/supermarket segment's expansion in both developed and emerging regions.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

North America and Europe are expected to hold a significant market share in the Global Microwavable Segment during the forecast period.

The substantial market share can be attributed to the infrastructure of retail food chains that have been in place for a while, the rising disposable income, and the increasing number of people in these regions. Moreover, the technological developments and expanding innovations that help in better packaging for microwavable food products are accelerating the growth of this market in these regions during the forecast period.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL MICROWAVABLE FOOD MARKET

McCain Foods, Pinnacle Food Inc., Kellogg Company, Nestle SA, The Kraft Heinz Company, Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc., General Mills Inc., StarKist, Unilever Plc, ConAgra Foods, Inc., Campbell Soup Company, Beech-Nut Nutrition Corporation, Bellisio Foods Inc., Pinnacle Foods Group LLC are some of the notable companies in the global Microwavable Food market.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MARKET

• In Dec 2021, McCain Foods announced a partnership with Strong Roots a leading plant-based frozen food company investing USD 55 million in Strong Roots to take a minority stake in the business. With this partnership, McCain Foods will have access to a wider range of products that will appeal to the growing number of consumers seeking delicious, easy-to-make meals that are natural, healthy, and contain real fruits and vegetables.
• In August 2021, StarKist launched StarKist Creations Microwavable, its new microwavable tuna meals available in four different varieties. StarKist Creations Microwavables is the first shelf-stable seasoned tuna with vegetables and grains in a microwave-safe pouch.