Market Size (2019)
$172.84B
Vertical: CFnBBase Year: 2019
Market Size (2019)
$172.84B
Projected (2026)
$253.67B
CAGR (2018–2026)
5.6%
Key Players
10+
The global frozen food market has witnessed a rampant growth over the last few years and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.68% during the forecast period. The market has witnessed substantial innovation in terms of new product launches, along with R&D and collaboration. Also, the overall disposable income of the consumer is increasing over the past few years, which is leading to a surge in the sale of frozen food during the forecast period. Increasing demand for convenience food coupled with the strong performance of the retail sector is one of the significant factors which is expected to positively influence the sale of frozen food in the upcoming decade.
The Frozen Food Market market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2018 to 2026.
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View Subscription PlansFrozen Food Market
Historical performance and future projections (2020–2030, USD Billion)
Market Size (USD Mn)
Frozen food involves basic food chemistry under which food is conserved by a freezing process and kept in a freezer before cooking. It can be of various types such as fruits & vegetables, meat & poultry, seafood, processed meat & poultry products, bakery products, dairy & desserts, and soups. The frozen food category offers a greater variety along with availability all year round. Frozen food offers better stock control, overcome the problem of seasonality, and offers long shelf life, which allows the advanced purchase and longer-term storage.
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View Subscription PlansWantstats analysis is based on interviews with industry experts who offer insight into the market structure, market segmentation, technology assessment, competitive landscape (CL), market penetration, as well as the emerging trends. Besides primary interviews (~80%) and secondary research (~20%), their analysis is based on years of professional expertise in their respective industries. Our analysts also predict where the market will be headed in the next five to ten years by analyzing historical trends and the current market position. Furthermore, the changing trends in segments and categories in each region are studied and estimated based on primary and secondary research.
Extensive primary research was conducted to gain a more in-depth insight into the market and industry performance. For this particular report, we have conducted primary surveys (interviews) with the key level executives (VPs, CEOs, marketing directors, and business development managers, among others) of the major players active in the market. In addition to analyzing the current and historical trends, our analysts predict where the market is headed in the next five years.
Secondary research was mainly used to collect and identify information useful for an extensive, technical, market-oriented, and commercial study of the global frozen food market. It was also used to obtain critical information about major players, market classification, and segmentation according to industry trends, geographical markets, and developments related to the market and technology. For this study, analysts have gathered information from various credible sources such as annual reports, sec filings, journals, white papers, corporate presentations, company websites, international organizations, and paid databases.
Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the market and to estimate the size of various other dependent sub-markets of the overall global frozen food market. The key players in the market were identified through secondary research, and their market contributions in different applications across the globe were determined through primary and secondary research. This entire process included the study of the annual and financial reports of the top market players and extensive interviews for key insights with industry leaders such as CEOs, VPs, directors, and marketing executives. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. All the possible parameters that affect the market covered in this research study have been accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to arrive at the final quantitative and qualitative data. This data has been consolidated, and detailed inputs and analysis from Wantstats added before being presented in this report. The following figure shows an illustrative representation of the overall market size estimation process employed for this study.
Base Year
2019
Historical Period
2018 – 2018
Forecast Period
2020 – 2026
Primary Interviews
150+
Historical data (2018–2019) and forecast period (2019–2026)
Our research process spans primary interviews with industry stakeholders combined with comprehensive secondary data analysis, validated through triangulation across multiple independent sources.
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View Subscription PlansThe global frozen food market is projected to register a CAGR of 5.68% during the review period. The growth of the market can be attributed to the increasing demand for convenience foods along with the rising number of working women. Market players are expected to witness profitable growth opportunities in the global market due to the demand for organic products.
The key players operating in the global frozen food market include General Mills, Inc. (US), Tyson Foods, Inc. (US), Grupo Bimbo (Mexico), Conagra Brands, Inc. (US), Associated British Foods plc (UK), Nestle S.A. (Switzerland), Unilever PLC (UK), Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Japan), The Kraft Heinz Company (US), and McCain Foods Limited (Canada). The market comprises tier-1, tier-2, and local players. The tier-1 and tier-2 players have a global reach along with diverse product portfolios. Companies such as General Mills, Inc., Tyson Foods, Inc., Grupo Bimbo, Conagra Brands, Inc., and Nestle S.A. dominate the global market due to brand reputation, product differentiation, financial stability, and diversified regional presence.
The players are focused on investing in research & development and adopting strategic growth initiatives such as product launches, expansions, and partnerships to strengthen their market position and capture higher market shares.
Threat of New Entrants
Several established players operate in the global frozen food market, which makes it difficult for new entrants to compete with established brands in the market. Additionally, new players need to focus on creating a brand name through promotion and marketing. Regulatory framework and cost of certification also pose as a barrier for the new market players. However, the barriers to enter the market are not very high, and the initial investments required to start a frozen food brand is moderate. The easy availability of raw materials also increases the chances of new entrants.
Hence, the threat of new entrants in the global frozen food market is expected to be moderate during the forecast period.
Bargaining Power of Suppliers
The raw material suppliers in the global frozen food market are farmers, commodity traders, ingredient suppliers, millers, and company-owned farms. The frozen food manufacturers have the liberty to shift between suppliers as they are not dependent on a single supplier, which reduces their operational risks. Furthermore, high supplier concentration in the global frozen food market reduces the switching costs for the market players. Additionally, the limited scope of product differentiation also reduces the bargaining power of the suppliers.
Hence, the bargaining power of suppliers in the global frozen food market is expected to be low during the forecast period.
Threat of Substitutes
Frozen food is being replaced with fresh food products as the general population is becoming increasingly health conscious. The use of various chemicals and preservatives in frozen food can cause several diseases, which is why many consumers prefer fresh food instead of frozen food. Furthermore, the cold chain process in various developing and underdeveloped economies is still at a budding stage, which is expected to reduce the overall consumption of frozen food products.
Hence, the threat of substitutes in the global frozen food market is expected to be high during the forecast period.
Bargaining Power of Buyers
The bargaining power of buyers is the pressure consumers exert on manufacturers to offer high-quality products at low prices. Owing to the presence of several established industry players in the market, the buyers have the option of choosing between several brands, which reduces their switching costs and, consequently, increases the bargaining power of buyers. Moreover, consumers usually tend to experiment with new products in the market and often change their preferences, which increases their bargaining power.
Hence, the bargaining power of buyers in the global frozen food market is expected to be high during the forecast period.
Intensity of Rivalry
The frozen food market is highly competitive, which is marked with fierce rivalry among the players in terms of product quality, variety, and pricing. The mature and stagnant market for frozen food is forcing the market players to emphasize on innovation in terms of flavors and product quality to expand their customer base. Many manufacturers are focusing on reducing production costs to compete in the cut-throat market. They are also engaged in strategic expansions to strengthen their businesses worldwide and survive in the market.
Hence, the rivalry in the global frozen food market is expected to be high during the forecast period.
Market estimates by geography (2026)
InsightEurope leads with $99.77B by 2026, while Asia Pacific is projected to grow fastest at a 6.0% CAGR.
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View Subscription Plans| REGION | 2018 | 2019 | 2026 | CAGR | SHARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | $32.46B | $40.68B | $51.93B | 6.0% | 20% |
| Rest of the World | $15.86B | $19.94B | $25.03B | 5.9% | 10% |
| Europe | $65.63B | $80.41B | $99.77B | 5.4% | 39% |
| North America | $50.24B | $61.77B | $76.95B | 5.5% | 30% |
| Total | $164.19B | $202.80B | $253.67B | 5.6% | 100% |
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View Subscription PlansTotal Market Size
$253.67B
| APPLICATION | REVENUE ($B) | GROWTH RATE | MARKET PENETRATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen Processed | $188.67B | 5.5% | 74% |
| Frozen | $65.00B | 5.8% | 26% |
* Revenue projections based on 2025 estimates. Growth rates represent CAGR 2024–2030. Market penetration indicates current adoption rate within addressable market segments.
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Analytical insights on Frozen Food Market covering market dynamics, competitive landscape, and strategic outlook.
The Frozen Food Market market is projected to reach $253.67B by 2026, growing at 5.6% CAGR. The Frozen Processed segment holds the largest share.
The global frozen food market witnessed significant growth over the last few years and is projected to register a 5.68% CAGR during the forecast period. The key drivers fueling the growth of the market are the rising demand for convenience food, the increasing number of working women, and the rapid growth of the organized retail sector. However, the regulatory framework of the frozen food market is set to curb the market growth of frozen food. Nevertheless, the increasing investments in the cold chain market in developing countries and the growing demand for organic products are expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for players operating in the global frozen food market during the forecast period. Market players, mainly the new entrants and small regional players, are faced with the challenge of higher consumer preference for branded products over non-branded, thus limiting their growth in this competitive market.
The changing lifestyles, evolving dietary patterns, and availability of convenience food are factors that play an important role in defining the consumer’s food choices. The growing trend of consuming convenience food began in the western world and rapidly spread to other regions across the globe. Consumers prefer convenience foods as they are easy to consume and have nutritional value, variety, and product appeal. Owing to changing lifestyles, consumers are spending less time on planning and cooking meals at home, as they consider preparing food at home to be a time and energy-consuming process. The increasing consumption of convenience food is driven by the need to create more leisure time, which means that consumers look for options that would help them maximize their free time, doing the things they value more. This, along with the increasing per capita disposable income, is expected to increase the demand for frozen food. Frozen consumables are considered convenient as there is no need to put in a lot of effort to make these products edible. Frozen food can be prepared by simply heating the product in a microwave or oven. Thus, the rising demand for convenience food is expected to drive the growth of the global frozen food market during the review period.
Globalization and growth of international trade, coupled with government support toward infrastructure development for the cold chain sector, are factors that have created growth and investment opportunities in multiple markets. The cold chain logistics market in developing countries is dynamic and continuously evolving. Owing to the current demand-supply gap in the global market, the fragmented cold chain logistics market offers ample opportunities for new entrants to enter the market. Furthermore, cold storage is also a crucial factor and key component of food trade in various countries. Operations in the cold chain market have substantially improved in recent decades. The market has been offering services for a wide range of products, which require storage at certain temperature levels to maintain integrity throughout the transport chain. The development of the cold chain market in emerging economies has led to the establishment of a proper logistical process to maintain shipment integrity. It has enabled the food industry to take advantage of opportunities provided globally. This is expected to create a growth opportunity for the players operating in or planning to enter the global frozen food market during the forecast period.
The regulatory framework includes a broad range of legal instruments and decisions such as licenses, permits, codes, laws, decrees, and even informal measures such as instructions and guidelines. Food Standards Agency (FSA)and other associations are involved in defining guidelines for legal requirements on quick-frozen foodstuffs, including temperatures and labeling for producers, transporters, and retailers. The regulations are different for 'quick-frozen' food and ice-creams and ice-based products. Since January 2006, FSA has set rules in the form of new temperature monitoring instruments used in the transporting, warehousing, and storing of quick-frozen foodstuffs (QFF), which complies with the European standards (EN12830, EN13485, and EN13486). The temperature-monitoring rule was also applied to QFF transported by rail, and business units were expected to maintain all the relevant documents showing that the instruments meet the relevant European standard. The other parameters which form the regulatory structure for frozen food include:
¡ The ingredients which go in the preparation of frozen food should be sound, genuine, and of merchantable quality that are fit for human consumption
¡ The food must be frozen and have crossed the zone of maximum crystallization as rapidly as possible for that type of product
¡ Air, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide are the only cryogenic medium which should come in contact with the food
¡ The temperature on thermal stabilization must be -18°C or colder. This should be maintained except for brief periods during transport (including local distribution) where it may reach -15°C, or when in retail display cabinets where it may reach -12°C
¡ The food must be pre-packed to prevent contamination and dehydration, and the packaging must remain until the food is placed on the market, for instance, quick-frozen fish must be kept in its packaging until displayed for sale
¡ Business units must date temperature recordings and store these for at least one year or longer, depending on the nature and shelf-life of the quick-frozen food
Also, the labeling requirements are crucial in studying the regulatory environment in the frozen food market. The label must cover the following information:
¡ Quick frozen
¡ The date of minimum durability such as ‘best before’ date
¡ The maximum advisable storage time
¡ The temperature or the equipment that should be used to store it
¡ A batch or lot mark
¡ Wording such as ‘do not refreeze after defrosting'
These regulations will determine the safety of frozen food for human consumption. The sole purpose of these regulations is to protect the quality of quick-frozen food. Other legislations deal with wider labeling and commodity-specific requirements. Thus, the regulatory environment restricts the market growth and limits the flexibility of market players to operate and hence, acts as a barrier to market entry as well.
When it comes to food, consumers’ spending behavior is determined by their loyalty toward certain brands. Generally, consumers prefer brands that are recognizable and popular. The frozen food market is fragmented, and consumers usually prefer branded frozen food products over non-branded ones, which creates a challenge for new market players to establish themselves. The increasing instances of government bodies relaxing custom and excise duties on machinery and transport equipment associated with frozen processed food production has led to a reduction in the cost of supply chain operations, which, in turn, is expected to attract national and international brands to enter various product categories. However, the new players need significant capital investments to set up their brand and position their product in a way that draws consumer attention. Thus, branding issues are expected to create a challenge for players operating in the global frozen food market during the forecast period.
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Profiles of 101 companies operating in the Frozen Food Market market, including revenue, employee count, and market positioning where available.
Showing 101 of 101 companies
Grupo Bimbo
Grupo Bimbo is primarily engaged in the manufacturing of bakery products. It has a product portfolio of over 13,000 products. The company markets its products under more than 100 brands, among which are Bimbo, Thomas’, Marinda, Orowhat, Sara Lee, and Arnold Bread, among others. The company has its sales presence in over 32 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It has over 199 production plants located across the globe.
Philip Morris International
Company Headquarters: US Founded: 1847 Workforce: ~+79800 employees Company Working: Philip Morris International (PMI) is a leading multinational tobacco company. PMI's primary business is the manufacturing and sale of cigarettes. The company's portfolio includes renowned brands such as Marlboro, Parliament, L&M, Chesterfield, and Philip Morris. PMI has been actively investing in and developing reduced-risk products (RRPs) as alternatives to traditional cigarettes. The flagship RRP is the IQOS system, which heats tobacco rather than burning it. PMI operates in over 180 countries, making it one of the largest international tobacco companies. The company has a strong market presence in key regions, including the European Union, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
Japan Tobacco International
Company Headquarters: Japan Founded: 1999 Workforce: ~52640+ employees Company Working: Japan Tobacco International (JTI) is one of the leading international tobacco company. JTI was formed in 1999 as a result of the privatization of the Japanese government-owned tobacco monopoly. The company operates in over 130 countries and has a strong presence in both developed and emerging markets. JTI's primary business is the manufacturing and sale of cigarettes. The company offers a wide range of cigarette brands, including Winston, Camel, Mevius (formerly Mild Seven), and LD. JTI has also ventured into the reduced-risk products market, with its Ploom Tech and Ploom S products that use heated tobacco technology. JTI has a significant global presence, with operations across Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. The company has manufacturing facilities in various countries to cater to local demand and ensure efficient supply chain management.
Altria Group Inc
Company Headquarters: United States Founded: 1985 Workforce: ~6300 employees Company Working: Altria Group Inc., formerly known as Philip Morris Companies Inc., is an American corporation headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. The company's major operations are in the tobacco and related industries. Altria's subsidiary, Philip Morris USA, is the largest tobacco company in the United States. Altria's primary business is the manufacturing and sale of cigarettes. Altria offers smokeless tobacco products, including moist snuff (Copenhagen and Skoal) and snus (Marlboro Snus). The company has a strong distribution network and brand recognition, enabling it to reach a wide range of consumers. The company owns a stake in JUUL Labs, a leading e-cigarette manufacturer, and has been involved in the distribution and marketing of JUUL products in the United States.
British American Tobacco plc
Company Headquarters:United Kingdom Founded: 1902 Workforce: ~52000+ employees Company Working: British American Tobacco plc (BAT) is a multinational tobacco company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. BAT operates in more than 180 markets worldwide, with a presence in both developed and emerging economies. The company has a diverse portfolio of tobacco brands, ranging from cigarettes to cigars and smokeless tobacco products. The company is also focused on harm reduction and offers a range of reduced-risk products to provide potentially less harmful alternatives for adult smokers. The company is geographically present in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East with an employee strength of more than 52000 employees.
JBS Foods
Company Headquarters: Sao Paulo, US Founded: 1992 Workforce: ~1,76,000 Company Working: JBS Foods is a global food & beverages company which prominently deals in the US, Europe, Australia, Canada Mexico, New Zealand, and the UK. The enterprise specializes in supplying varied protein merchandise internationally. Its portfolio includes pork, beef, bird, lamb, and fish merchandise, amongst others. JBS Foods is devoted to providing sustainable meal answers for its customers whilst being a part of the circle of relatives' meals. JBS Foods produces numerous brands that cater to evolving patron possibilities and several merchandises to satisfy expectations. The organization's famous manufacturers encompass Pilgrim's, Swift, and Aspen Ridge. In phrases of its role in the meals and beverage marketplace, JBS Foods is a leading worldwide meals company that offers satisfactory protein products to consumers globally. The corporation's dedication to sustainability and moral practices, consisting of reducing meal loss and waste, demonstrates its role in responsible business practices within the food and beverage market.
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