Frozen Food and Snacks Market Size & Share [2033]

Frozen Food and Snacks Market Overview

The Frozen Food and Snacks Market size was valued at USD 280.24 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 407.83 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The global frozen food and snacks market is experiencing considerable expansion driven by rising urbanization and changing consumer preferences for convenient meal solutions. As of 2024, approximately 73% of urban households in developed economies regularly consume frozen food items at least once a week. In the United States alone, frozen food sales volumes surged by 11.6% in 2023 compared to 2022, supported by a wider assortment of plant-based and ready-to-cook options. In India, frozen food penetration in organized retail reached 9.4% in 2023, with snack products leading this rise.

Moreover, the global frozen snack category experienced a 16.2% growth in unit sales between 2022 and 2024. The rapid expansion of cold chain logistics has enhanced market accessibility; the number of commercial cold storage facilities increased by 6.8% worldwide in 2023. Growing freezer ownership among urban households, standing at 84% in Europe and 78% in North America, has also contributed to rising consumption. In Southeast Asia, domestic production of frozen seafood and bakery goods rose by 13.5% in 2023. Major players are launching customized frozen items in smaller packs—pack sizes under 400g accounted for 38% of new launches in 2023—catering to nuclear families and millennials.

Key Findings

Driver: Rapid increase in demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) meals and convenience-based lifestyles is fueling the frozen food and snacks market globally.

Top Country/Region: The United States leads the market with over 32% share in global frozen food consumption as of 2023.

Top Segment: The meat, poultry, and seafood segment dominates, accounting for approximately 35% of total frozen food volume consumed globally in 2024.

Frozen Food and Snacks Market Trends

The frozen food and snacks market is witnessing several transformative trends that are reshaping product offerings and consumption behavior. One of the most notable is the surge in plant-based frozen snacks. Between 2022 and 2024, the number of new frozen plant-based product launches rose by 19.4% globally, with companies introducing frozen soy nuggets, pea-protein patties, and vegetable dumplings. In 2023, frozen vegetarian spring rolls and samosas alone saw a 22% increase in retail unit sales across Asian markets. Digital grocery platforms have accelerated frozen food purchases. Online frozen food sales in the UK grew by 15.7% in 2023, with frozen pizzas and snacks leading the segment. In Germany, e-commerce sales of frozen ready meals increased by 12.2% year-over-year in 2024. The availability of home-delivered frozen meals has broadened access in regions with traditionally lower cold-chain penetration.

Premiumization is another emerging trend. Premium frozen snacks—such as artisanal mini-pizzas, gourmet dumplings, and organic fruit blends—registered a 14.3% increase in Europe in 2023. In Japan, frozen desserts in the premium category grew by 11.8%. Sustainability trends have pushed brands to revamp packaging; nearly 27% of new frozen food launches in 2024 used recyclable or biodegradable materials. There is also increasing consumer interest in cleaner labels—more than 45% of consumers in North America reported preferring frozen snacks with no preservatives or artificial additives. The popularity of frozen ethnic cuisines has increased substantially, with Thai, Korean, and Mexican frozen snacks experiencing a 17.6% growth in consumption in 2023 across North America and Europe. Additionally, portion-controlled packs and snack-sized products are rising in appeal among health-conscious individuals—snack-size frozen packs accounted for 42% of category sales in urban retail chains in 2023.

Frozen Food and Snacks Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for convenience foods across urban populations.

Urban consumers worldwide are shifting toward frozen food and snacks due to fast-paced lifestyles and increased workforce participation. As of 2023, 61.4% of working adults in the U.S. and 57.2% in the EU preferred pre-cooked or ready-to-eat frozen meals. Sales of frozen microwaveable snacks in South Korea rose by 18.7% year-over-year in 2023. In India, frozen parathas and cutlets witnessed a 20.5% increase in demand within Tier-1 cities. This growth is further amplified by the expansion of modern trade retail formats and e-commerce platforms, which made frozen foods more accessible. The adoption of modular freezers at home has also contributed to this trend—over 80% of urban households in Canada own freezer-enabled refrigerators as of 2024.

RESTRAINT

Limited cold chain infrastructure in developing economies.

In many developing nations, cold chain logistics are still underdeveloped, restricting the reach of frozen food products. In Sub-Saharan Africa, less than 14% of food logistics networks include integrated cold storage capabilities. Similarly, rural parts of India and Southeast Asia struggle with consistent electricity and refrigerated transport. According to 2023 data, only 22% of retail outlets in Indonesia are equipped with cold storage units. As a result, perishable frozen snacks suffer from shorter shelf lives and restricted distribution. High initial costs for cold chain setup—averaging $28,000 per small retail outlet—discourage expansion. Moreover, power outages and high maintenance costs in warmer regions also pose constraints.

OPPORTUNITY

Rising adoption of clean-label and health-focused frozen snacks.

There is a growing demand for healthier frozen food alternatives with natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives. In 2023, 48% of frozen snack consumers in North America actively sought gluten-free, organic, or low-sodium options. In Australia, the market share for low-calorie frozen desserts increased by 12.9% in just one year. Major brands are leveraging this trend by introducing plant-based, protein-rich frozen snacks and fortified meals. For example, frozen quinoa bowls and lentil-based frozen kebabs saw a 23.6% increase in retail presence in the UK in 2024. Brands that offer transparent nutritional labeling and certifications—like USDA Organic or Vegan Society—have gained 35% more shelf space in supermarkets.

CHALLENGE

Rising costs of raw materials and packaging.

Global inflation and supply chain disruptions have significantly impacted the input costs for frozen food producers. The cost of packaging materials such as polyethylene film and cardboard increased by 17.3% in 2023. Simultaneously, agricultural volatility has caused fluctuations in the availability and pricing of raw ingredients like poultry, vegetables, and dairy—frozen chicken product prices rose by 14.1% in 2024 globally. These cost hikes not only squeeze margins but also limit product affordability for consumers in low- and middle-income regions. Packaging compliance standards are also becoming stricter, especially in the EU and North America, where over 67% of frozen food SKUs now require recyclable or compostable packaging compliance, leading to higher production costs.

Frozen Food and Snacks Market Segmentation

The frozen food and snacks market is broadly segmented by Type and Application, each playing a critical role in product development, distribution, and consumer demand. By 2024, frozen vegetables, meat, seafood, and ready-to-cook desserts dominate consumer preference in both developed and developing markets. Applications are segmented by where these products are purchased—ranging from large-format supermarkets to compact convenience stores. Each channel reflects differing consumption behaviors, demographics, and price sensitivities.

By Type

Vegetables and Fruits: accounted for 28% of the total frozen food volume in 2023. In Germany alone, frozen vegetable packs such as spinach and green peas saw a 16.8% sales jump. The demand for individually quick frozen (IQF) berries and mango chunks grew by 21.3% in North America. Urban consumers are increasingly storing frozen fruits for smoothies and cooking, leading to higher turnover rates in retail.
Meat, Poultry, and Seafood: This remains the dominant segment globally, contributing to 35% of all frozen food sales by volume. In 2023, frozen seafood like shrimp and tilapia recorded 13.6% annual growth in China. Europe’s frozen poultry segment expanded by 10.4%, driven by ready-to-fry chicken snacks. Fish fingers and marinated meat skewers were among the top sellers in both retail and foodservice.
Frozen Desserts: such as ice cream cakes, gelato, and frozen yogurts grew by 12.1% in 2023. In the United States, frozen keto and dairy-free dessert variants rose by 18.5%. Brands are also launching ethnic-inspired frozen sweets like kulfis and mochi, which saw a 19.2% spike in Asian and Western fusion grocery stores.
Baked Goods: including croissants, buns, and pizza bases—experienced 11.3% growth globally in 2024. France and Canada were strong markets, with frozen bread loaves registering 15.7% growth. Ready-to-bake pastries and gluten-free options continue to gain traction among health-conscious buyers.
Confectionery: remains niche but is rapidly evolving. Products like chocolate-coated frozen bars and frozen brownie bites increased by 9.4% in Japan and South Korea in 2023. These items are typically marketed as impulse snacks and often placed near checkout counters in urban mini-marts.
Others: This category includes frozen soups, entrees, pasta dishes, and breakfast sandwiches. In 2024, frozen pasta kits and breakfast burritos expanded shelf presence by 13.2% in North America. Demand is largely driven by younger demographics seeking fast, nutritious meals.

By Application

Supermarkets: continue to dominate distribution with over 46% of frozen snack sales in 2023. Chains across the U.S. and Europe have dedicated 100–150 sq. ft. of freezer space per store. Supermarkets offer the widest variety and drive volume through weekly promotions and loyalty schemes.
Hypermarkets/Groceries: captured 24% of frozen snack distribution globally. In countries like the UAE and Singapore, bulk frozen snack purchases surged by 15.6% in 2023. These stores cater to family-size packs and offer discount-led promotions that appeal to large households.
Convenience Stores: saw frozen snack sales increase by 14.7% globally in 2023. These outlets often carry single-serve frozen meals, especially in metro areas with dense working populations. In South Korea, convenience store chain CU expanded its frozen snack range by 11.3% in 2023.
Others: distribution formats—such as e-commerce, vending machines, and specialty frozen food boutiques—accounted for 6% of total sales in 2023. Online-only frozen food brands expanded their customer base by 19.8% globally. Subscription-based frozen snack services gained popularity in urban India and Europe.

Frozen Food and Snacks Market Regional Outlook

The global frozen food and snacks market exhibits strong regional variation in consumer behavior, distribution strategies, and product preferences. North America dominates in consumption volume, driven by high household freezer penetration and a preference for convenient ready meals. Europe shows significant demand for clean-label and organic frozen snacks, while Asia-Pacific is witnessing a rapid surge in adoption due to rising urbanization and cold chain infrastructure growth. The Middle East & Africa region is in a developmental phase but shows promising increases in imports, especially in Gulf nations. Regional players are adapting offerings based on cultural, religious, and dietary preferences.

North America

remains the most mature market for frozen food and snacks, with over 89.3% of households in the United States owning at least one freezer. The U.S. alone accounted for 38.6% of global frozen pizza sales in 2023. Major brands like Conagra and Tyson Foods dominate supermarket freezer aisles with over 20,000 retail points of presence. In Canada, frozen breakfast snacks such as waffles and egg-based items grew by 14.9% in unit sales. Convenience is the top consumer motivator, with over 62% of consumers reporting they consume frozen snacks at least three times a week in 2024.

Europe

is a highly diverse and dynamic market for frozen food and snacks, driven by health-conscious consumers and a robust supermarket ecosystem. In 2023, Germany led frozen vegetable sales, contributing 21.4% of regional volume. France saw a 17.2% increase in organic frozen dessert launches, and the UK reported that over 47.3% of households regularly purchase frozen ready meals. Scandinavian countries are leading in eco-packaging, with over 52% of frozen snack brands now using recyclable materials. Retail chains such as Aldi and Lidl continue to increase their frozen private-label assortments, with frozen snack SKUs rising by 19.6% year-over-year.

Asia-Pacific

is the fastest-evolving region in the frozen food and snacks industry, fueled by rapid urbanization, changing lifestyles, and increasing middle-class spending. China and India collectively accounted for 36.5% of new frozen snack product launches in 2023. Japan saw a 12.8% increase in premium frozen seafood snacks, while South Korea reported 22.1% year-over-year growth in frozen dumpling consumption. Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam have seen cold chain logistics investments rise by 27.4% between 2022 and 2024. With over 400 million urban consumers under 35, the demand for convenient and global-cuisine-inspired frozen foods continues to surge.

Middle East & Africa

region is emerging as a new frontier for the frozen food and snacks market. The UAE and Saudi Arabia collectively imported over 220,000 metric tons of frozen snack products in 2023, driven by a growing expat population and modern retail expansion. In South Africa, frozen baked goods sales grew by 15.7%, particularly among urban working-class consumers. Nigeria and Kenya are developing localized frozen food manufacturing capabilities, with over 35 new processing units established in 2023. Halal-certified frozen foods are gaining significant traction, now making up 41.2% of the frozen snack category in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets.

List of Top Frozen Food and Snacks Companies

Nestle S.A.
General Mills
Tyson Foods
The Kraft Heinz Co.
McCain Foods Ltd.
Conagra Brands Inc.
Ajinomoto Co. Inc.
NewForrest Fingerfood BV
Nomad Foods Ltd.
Rich Products Corp.

Nestlé S.A.: holds one of the largest market shares globally in the frozen food and snacks segment. In 2023, Nestlé’s frozen meals and snacks portfolio—including brands like Stouffer’s, Hot Pockets, and Lean Cuisine—accounted for over 17.2% of total frozen snack sales across North America and Europe. The company reported a 13.6% year-over-year increase in unit sales of frozen plant-based products alone.

Conagra Brands Inc.: has established strong dominance in North America, with its frozen food brands such as Healthy Choice, Banquet, and Marie Callender’s making up 14.7% of the U.S. frozen ready-meals category. In 2023, its frozen snacks division saw an 11.9% increase in sales, boosted by its innovation in single-serve microwaveable snacks.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The frozen food and snacks market has become a hub for dynamic investments driven by global shifts in consumer behavior, digitization of food delivery, and expanding cold chain networks. Between 2022 and 2024, venture capital investments in frozen plant-based food startups grew by 27.5%, with high-profile funding rounds seen in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Investors are targeting companies focused on health-centric and functional frozen snacks that cater to vegan, keto, and gluten-free diets. Cold chain infrastructure has also become a significant area of investment. According to industry reports, $2.4 billion was allocated globally in 2023 toward the development and modernization of frozen food logistics, including cold storage, warehouse automation, and temperature-sensitive packaging. Asia-Pacific, particularly India and Vietnam, saw increased foreign direct investment (FDI) in urban cold chain expansion projects aimed at supporting frozen food distribution in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Private equity funds have entered the sector through acquisitions. For example, in 2023, several mid-sized frozen snack manufacturers in Italy and the U.S. were acquired by larger conglomerates aiming to diversify their frozen product portfolios. These acquisitions are driven by the increasing demand for ethnic and artisanal frozen snacks, which experienced 21.6% growth in global shelf presence last year. Online platforms are another focus area for investors. In 2023, frozen food e-commerce startups secured 18.2% more funding than in the previous year, with new D2C (direct-to-consumer) brands in the U.S., UK, and Australia offering gourmet frozen snacks via subscription models. The average consumer spend on frozen foods ordered online rose by 16.4% globally in 2023, encouraging investment in mobile apps, freezer-enabled delivery vans, and localized cold-chain micro-hubs.

New Product Development

The frozen food and snacks industry has undergone major innovations in product development over the last two years, focusing heavily on clean-label, health-oriented, and global cuisine-inspired offerings. As of 2024, more than 32% of all new frozen snack launches contained no artificial preservatives, reflecting shifting consumer preferences for healthier, transparent food options. Leading manufacturers are introducing high-protein frozen snacks, such as chickpea puffs, paneer cubes, and tuna cakes, that cater to both gym-goers and flexitarian eaters. One key innovation trend is the rise of hybrid frozen snacks—combining elements of multiple cuisines or formats. For example, frozen samosa tacos and lasagna spring rolls emerged in 2023 and quickly gained shelf space in Australia, Canada, and the UK. In China, frozen dim sum assortments featuring fusion fillings (e.g., cheese-chicken, spinach-tofu) saw 18.3% growth in popularity. Brands are also improving the sensory quality of frozen items. Quick-freeze (IQF) technology adoption rose by 14.2% among mid-tier manufacturers in 2023, enhancing product texture and shelf life.

Frozen pizzas and croissants made with sourdough bases or multi-grain crusts saw increased demand, particularly in European markets. Gluten-free frozen pizza launches alone grew by 22.1% in 2024. Packaging innovation has paralleled product advancements. Smart packaging solutions that include thawing indicators and QR-code-based freshness tracking were introduced in 2023, and over 6.5 million units were sold in North America within a year. Smaller pack sizes and resealable frozen snack containers now account for 39% of frozen snack packaging formats worldwide.

Five Recent Developments

Nestlé launched a new plant-based frozen food range in 2023 under the Garden Gourmet brand in Europe, featuring pea-protein-based meatballs and schnitzels. Over 9.2 million units sold in the first year.
Conagra Brands expanded its Healthy Choice frozen bowls into Asian and Latin flavor variants in early 2024. This sub-brand saw a 13.7% increase in unit sales year-over-year.
Tyson Foods introduced air-fried frozen chicken bites with 75% less fat in mid-2023, targeting health-conscious consumers. Sales in the U.S. retail market exceeded 2.4 million units by Q1 2024.
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. announced a new line of frozen Japanese street food (yakitori and takoyaki) in 2023, expanding across Asian and Western markets. It generated a 15.9% increase in global distribution points.
McCain Foods Ltd. launched “McCain Eco Pack” in 2024, a 100% recyclable packaging solution for its frozen fries. The initiative helped the company reduce plastic usage by 21.5% annually.

Report Coverage of Frozen Food and Snacks Market

This comprehensive report on the frozen food and snacks market offers a detailed assessment of consumer behavior, innovation trends, distribution dynamics, regional performance, and company profiles across key segments. The report includes a deep dive into over 120 countries, analyzing both mature markets (e.g., the U.S., Germany, Japan) and emerging markets (e.g., Brazil, India, Nigeria). Over 10,000 data points were reviewed, including volume sales, product launches, retailer activity, and consumer purchasing patterns. The report also examines cold chain logistics trends, mapping the development of 1,500+ cold storage centers and 200+ new regional processing facilities globally in 2023–2024. Packaging formats, ingredient labeling compliance, and freezer equipment penetration have also been analyzed to offer a 360-degree market perspective. Segmentation in the report spans six product types and four major application channels, offering quantitative assessments and growth comparisons.

Each segment includes insights into regional consumption, pricing trends, and innovation benchmarks. More than 100 frozen food brands are reviewed for their portfolio diversification, retail visibility, and promotional strategies. In addition to analyzing the current market environment, the report projects future demand scenarios based on emerging socio-economic indicators, shifting dietary trends, and food tech innovations. It also highlights investment trends, acquisition activities, and R&D expenditures—tracking over 120 strategic initiatives by top manufacturers across the globe. Data visualization tools, such as heat maps and demand cluster charts, are integrated throughout the report for intuitive understanding. The coverage includes forecasts of supply chain developments, online grocery penetration, retail shelf space evolution, and premiumization metrics, offering actionable insights for stakeholders—manufacturers, distributors, investors, retailers, and policymakers—interested in navigating the frozen food and snacks market landscape.