Dried Soup Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Dehydrated Dried Soup, Instant Dried Soup), By Application (Retail, Catering & Industrial, Others), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Dried Soup Market Overview

Global dried soup market size is anticipated to be worth USD 16533.62 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 19796.17 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 2%.

The global dried soup market has witnessed notable growth due to increasing demand for convenient food options. In 2023, over 5.8 billion dried soup servings were consumed globally, indicating the high penetration of these products in household pantries. Dried soups are typically sold in dehydrated or instant formats and are available in various flavors including chicken, tomato, vegetable, and mushroom. Retail supermarkets alone accounted for approximately 62% of the dried soup sales, while online platforms contributed to 14% of overall volume distribution in 2023.

In Germany, per capita consumption of dried soups reached 4.5 kg in 2023, while in Japan, over 980 million dried soup packets were sold, especially favoring miso-based variants. The dried soup market has been supported by the increasing adoption of freeze-drying and spray-drying technologies, which helped reduce product moisture content below 10%, thereby increasing shelf life to up to 24 months. Across the United States, over 65% of consumers between the ages of 25–44 reported using dried soup products at least once per month, driven by time constraints and convenience. The expanding food service sector and innovation in flavor profiles are further contributing to increased sales across both developed and emerging economies.

Key Findings

Top Driver Reason: Rising demand for convenience foods due to fast-paced lifestyles is significantly fueling the dried soup market.

Top Country/Region: Europe leads the dried soup market, with Germany alone accounting for over 800 million servings in 2023.

Top Segment: Instant dried soups dominate the market, comprising over 68% of total consumption in 2023 due to faster preparation times.

Dried Soup Market Trends

The dried soup market is experiencing robust innovation and consumer preference evolution. In 2023, the global dried soup demand increased by over 7.2% in volume terms, primarily due to the rising preference for quick and easy meal solutions. Instant soups saw the fastest growth, with over 4.3 billion units sold globally, which was a 12% increase compared to 2022. This demand is heavily supported by dual-income households where 72% reported reliance on ready-to-eat meals, including dried soups.

Health-conscious consumers are increasingly demanding low-sodium, organic, and gluten-free dried soups. In 2023, organic dried soup variants accounted for 11% of the total volume, with over 400 million servings distributed. Consumers in the United Kingdom purchased 37% more plant-based dried soup products compared to the previous year. In the United States, the ""soup cup"" format gained popularity, contributing to 26% of new product launches in the dried soup segment during 2023.

Flavor experimentation also defines current trends. Spicy flavors such as jalapeño and chipotle increased their share from 6% to 9% in just one year. In Japan, seafood-based instant dried soups like shrimp and miso accounted for over 280 million servings in 2023 alone. Meanwhile, Latin American consumers leaned toward black bean and corn flavors, with Brazil alone consuming 180 million packets in this flavor category.

The packaging trend is also noteworthy. Flexible pouches accounted for 43% of all packaging types in 2023, with aluminum-laminated foil bags showing a 9.5% reduction in spoilage rates during storage tests. Additionally, 29% of global dried soup manufacturers shifted toward recyclable or biodegradable packaging during 2023 to meet sustainability goals.

Dried Soup Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for convenience foods.

Consumers' shift toward fast and simple meal options due to urbanization has significantly impacted the dried soup market. In 2023, over 58% of working individuals in metropolitan areas consumed dried soup products as a part of their weekly meal plan. Time-starved households are increasingly opting for instant soups that can be prepared in less than 5 minutes. With over 3.5 billion individuals residing in urban areas globally, dried soup manufacturers are targeting high-density regions for expansion. The increasing demand for ready-to-eat food products, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, contributed to a 15% surge in instant dried soup sales across India and Southeast Asia in 2023 alone.

RESTRAINT

Concerns regarding artificial ingredients.

Despite its popularity, the dried soup market faces challenges due to concerns over artificial preservatives, high sodium content, and flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG). Over 41% of surveyed consumers in the U.S. and France in 2023 expressed hesitation toward consuming conventional dried soups due to health-related concerns. Additionally, regulatory scrutiny has increased, with 18 national food authorities implementing stricter guidelines on labeling and permissible additive levels. For instance, sodium content per serving must not exceed 650 mg in the European Union, prompting many manufacturers to reformulate recipes, which in turn raises production costs.

OPPORTUNITY

Innovation in plant-based and functional soups.

With 64% of consumers globally preferring plant-based alternatives in 2023, the dried soup market has found lucrative opportunities in vegan and functional formulations. Fiber-enriched, protein-fortified, and probiotic-infused dried soups made up 8% of all new launches during the year. In South Korea, ginseng-infused dried soups gained popularity, with sales reaching 120 million units, marking a 21% rise from 2022. Moreover, soups with immune-boosting ingredients such as turmeric, ginger, and moringa have seen consistent year-over-year growth of approximately 9%, especially in wellness-conscious segments across urban centers.

CHALLENGE

Rising production and logistics costs.

In 2023, the cost of raw materials such as dehydrated vegetables and chicken extract rose by 14%, while energy costs related to freeze-drying and spray-drying processes increased by 9.8%. These factors significantly affected manufacturing margins. Additionally, logistics disruptions and container shortages led to a 6-day average increase in delivery lead times for international dried soup shipments. For small- and medium-scale producers, freight expenses rose by 11%, impacting overall profitability. The challenge is further compounded by growing expectations for sustainable practices, which require investments in biodegradable packaging and low-emission production technologies.

Dried Soup Market Segmentation

The dried soup market is segmented based on type and application. In terms of type, the major categories include dehydrated dried soup and instant dried soup. For application, the key segments are retail, catering & industrial, and others. Each segment shows unique performance metrics based on consumption volume and innovation rate.

By Type

• Dehydrated Dried Soup: Dehydrated dried soups are widely popular in institutional catering, contributing to 38% of usage in hospitals, military bases, and airline meals. These products require rehydration with water and offer shelf stability for over 18 months. In 2023, over 1.2 billion servings of dehydrated dried soups were distributed, with potato-based and chicken noodle variants being top-sellers. Germany and Poland were the primary markets, jointly accounting for over 320 million servings. Dehydrated soups are also preferred in bulk packaging formats for industrial kitchens.
• Instant Dried Soup: Instant dried soups dominate the market with 68% share in total servings. These soups require just hot water and are packaged in sachets or cups. In 2023, over 4.3 billion servings of instant soups were consumed worldwide. China alone reported consumption of 920 million packets, followed by the United States with 780 million servings. Product innovations like cup noodles with dried soup bases have increased their penetration into convenience stores and e-commerce platforms.

By Application

• Retail: Retail is the largest application area, accounting for 63% of dried soup volume in 2023. Supermarkets sold over 3.9 billion packets of dried soups, with chicken and tomato flavors dominating shelf space. Discount retailers saw a 14% increase in dried soup sales year-over-year. In urban areas, multipacks and combo offerings gained significant traction.
• Catering & Industrial: This segment makes up 28% of market consumption. Over 700 million servings were procured by foodservice contractors in 2023. Airlines and institutional caterers especially favor bulk-format dehydrated soups due to longer shelf life and portion control. Hospital catering services accounted for 85 million servings in 2023 across Europe alone.
• Others: Other applications, including vending machines, saw a 7% volume increase. Office vending units distributed 45 million cups of dried soups in 2023, particularly in North America and Japan. College campus cafeterias also adopted dried soups as a low-cost meal option, selling over 22 million units annually.

Dried Soup Market Regional Outlook

The dried soup market shows varied performance across global regions. Europe leads in per capita consumption, while Asia-Pacific exhibits the highest growth in unit volumes. North America maintains steady demand with growing health-focused variants, whereas the Middle East & Africa markets are expanding due to increasing urbanization and retail infrastructure.

• North America

In 2023, the North American dried soup market recorded 1.1 billion servings, with the United States contributing 890 million. Health-focused variants saw a 16% growth in sales. Over 42% of purchases came from consumers aged 30–50. Canada reported 220 million servings, led by mushroom and chicken noodle variants. Online grocery platforms experienced a 21% rise in dried soup orders.

• Europe

Europe accounted for over 1.6 billion dried soup servings in 2023. Germany led with 800 million, followed by the UK with 360 million and France at 280 million. Instant soups dominate with a 72% share in urban centers. Plant-based and low-sodium variants represented 19% of new launches across supermarkets. Eastern Europe saw growing penetration, particularly in Poland and Hungary.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific witnessed strong momentum with 1.8 billion dried soup servings in 2023. China contributed 920 million, and Japan added 450 million. India experienced a 24% surge in instant soup consumption. Innovation in regional flavors such as tom yum and miso significantly boosted market appeal. In South Korea, functional dried soups made up 6% of total volume.

• Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa market is rapidly emerging, with 320 million dried soup servings recorded in 2023. The UAE and Saudi Arabia jointly accounted for 180 million servings. Africa saw demand grow in Nigeria and Kenya, where consumption increased by 11%. Instant soups in cup format gained popularity, with retail chains expanding shelf space. Halal-certified dried soups comprised 22% of regional sales.

List of Top Dried Soup Market Companies

• Campbell Soup
• The Kraft Heinz
• Unilever
• Hain Celestial Group
• Amy's Kitchen
• Progresso (General Mills)
• Baxters Food Group
• New Covent Garden Soup
• Princes Group (Crosse & Blackwell)
• Fazlani Foods
• Nestle
• Conagra Foods
• Tabatchnick
• Kettle Cuisine
• Blount Fine Foods
• The Schwan Food Company
• Boulder Organic Foods

Top Two Companies with highest share

Nestle: Distributed over 1.1 billion servings globally in 2023 across over 90 countries.

Unilever: Accounted for over 900 million dried soup units sold in 2023, with strong brand presence across Europe and Asia.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The dried soup market has attracted substantial investment activity due to its scalable manufacturing potential, rising demand from health-conscious consumers, and robust shelf stability. In 2023, over 78 food processing companies globally expanded their dried soup production capacities. For example, a manufacturing plant in India scaled up its instant soup production from 180 million to 270 million units annually, a 50% capacity expansion driven by urban demand growth.

Multinational players invested over $220 million collectively into R&D and capacity enhancement initiatives across North America and Europe. In Canada, five new facilities dedicated to freeze-dried soups were commissioned in 2023, increasing national production output by 18%. Similarly, in Germany, public-private partnerships led to the modernization of two dried soup plants, where over 60% of the machines were upgraded to energy-efficient systems, reducing drying time by 22% and increasing throughput by 14%.

Private equity firms also demonstrated growing interest. In 2023, at least 12 M&A deals were reported within the convenience food sector, with 4 deals focused specifically on dried soup companies. One major acquisition included a U.S.-based organic soup brand that was purchased for $95 million by a global conglomerate, aiming to penetrate the North American health-food segment.

Opportunities abound in plant-based innovations and regional flavor expansions. In 2023, investment into vegan dried soup lines rose by 34% year-over-year. Product developers are targeting emerging consumer segments with mushroom miso, lentil curry, and chickpea-spinach variants that align with plant-forward dietary preferences. Southeast Asia, where instant soup demand rose 22% in 2023, offers ripe expansion opportunities for brands that can introduce localized taste profiles.

New Product Development

Product innovation has played a transformative role in the evolution of the dried soup market. In 2023, over 630 new dried soup variants were launched globally, reflecting a 14% increase compared to 2022. These included health-focused, gourmet-style, ethnic-flavored, and sustainable packaging offerings.

A significant wave of product development has focused on functional nutrition. Dried soups infused with immunity boosters like turmeric, garlic, and echinacea experienced a 19% growth in unit sales. In Japan, miso-based soups combined with seaweed and zinc saw sales volumes of over 75 million units, indicating strong demand for nutrient-dense options. Similarly, in the United States, probiotic-infused dried vegetable soups made up 4% of total new dried soup launches.

Plant-based soup development also surged. In 2023, vegan dried soups accounted for 17% of new product launches, up from 11% the previous year. New additions included Thai coconut curry, vegan corn chowder, and lentil & kale varieties. India saw the release of masoor dal and moong-based dried soups that gained 15 million servings within six months of launch.

Clean-label formulations are another cornerstone of innovation. In 2023, 43% of new dried soups featured no artificial preservatives, colors, or MSG. The EU market particularly drove this trend, with over 280 clean-label products launched across Germany, France, and Italy.

Ethnic and regional flavor innovations have also been prominent. Spicy Korean kimchi dried soup variants gained popularity, selling 12 million servings in 2023. In Latin America, corn and chili-based dried soups experienced 21% year-over-year sales growth. UK-based companies experimented with Moroccan harira and Indian rasam soup variants, which together accounted for over 8 million servings sold during their first year of introduction.

Five Recent Developments

• Nestlé: launched a plant-based range of instant dried soups in Q1 2024, including lentil-spinach and carrot-ginger flavors, distributing over 85 million units globally within 9 months.
• Unilever: expanded its Knorr brand with immune-supportive dried soups in early 2023, incorporating ingredients like turmeric and zinc, resulting in a 23% sales boost in Europe.
• Amy’s Kitchen: introduced a gluten-free dried soup line in mid-2023, featuring three USDA-certified organic variants, with total shipments exceeding 12 million packets within the launch year.
• Campbell Soup Company: opened a new $40 million production facility in Texas in 2024, increasing dried soup manufacturing capacity by 22% and reducing regional distribution time by 3 days.
• Fazlani Foods: rolled out ready-to-consume Indian dried soups internationally in 2023, shipping over 18 million packets to markets including the UK, UAE, and Canada in under 12 months.

Report Coverage of Dried Soup Market

The dried soup market report offers a thorough and structured analysis of the global industry landscape, covering both macro and microeconomic factors that influence the market. The report includes segmented evaluations by product type, application, distribution channel, and geographic region. It also captures consumption patterns, innovation rates, and shifts in consumer preferences based on quantified market data.

The report provides volume-based performance metrics, such as unit consumption figures and distribution proportions. For instance, it records that over 6.3 billion dried soup servings were consumed globally in 2023, with instant soups dominating at over 68% of that volume. It dissects this further by segmenting volume data into dehydrated and instant categories, noting unique growth drivers for each type.

Application-based coverage includes retail sales, institutional consumption, and emerging channels like vending machines and e-commerce. The report captures that retail channels accounted for 63% of global volume in 2023, with supermarkets alone selling over 3.9 billion units. Institutional applications such as hospital catering contributed 85 million servings in Europe, showing the broad applicability of dried soup products.

Regional segmentation is another focus. The report highlights Europe as the largest consumer, with Germany, the UK, and France together consuming over 1.4 billion servings in 2023. Asia-Pacific’s emergence as a growth engine is documented with data indicating that China alone accounted for 920 million servings. The Middle East & Africa's rapid uptake is detailed, citing halal-certified variants capturing 22% of sales in that region.

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