Frozen Food Market Set for Steady Growth with Innovations in Freezing Technology

Frozen Food Market Size and Leading Companies Analysis

The global frozen food market size was reached at USD 203.15 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 214.32 billion in 2025 to nearly USD 347.01 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The advancement in cod chain infrastructure, changing consumer lifestyle, and urbanization drive this market to grow rapidly.

Key Highlights

• By region, North America dominated the market with highest revenue share of 34% in 2024.
• By product, the ready meals segment contributed more than 43% of revenue share in 2024.
• By product, the market for fruits & vegetables is expected to expand at the highest CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period.
• By distribution channel, the offline segment had the largest market share of 90% in 2024.
• By distribution channel, the online segment is anticipated to grow in the market during the forecast period.
• By freezing technology, the individual quick freezing technology segment dominated the market in 2024.
• By freezing technology, the blast freezing segment is anticipated a substantial growth in the market during the forecast period.

Industry Coverage

Expanding Consumer Demand and Key Insights

The frozen food market has seen significant growth in recent years, frozen food widely using worldwide. Frozen food refers to edible items preserved by the process of freezing. The Frozen food includes frozen fruits, vegetables, ready-to-eat meals, desserts, bakery product, seafood, meat, and many different varieties. The frozen food not only preserves the freshness and quality of the product but also locks the essential nutrients and extends the shelf life of the product.

Rising Spending on Healthy Lifestyle 

Changing lifestyles and the rise in the disposable income of the growing population led the market to grow. Consumers are willing to spend on premium healthy and convenient frozen food options due to hectic working schedules and option for convenient ready-to-eat quick and easy meal solutions. The association of the leading consumer and food and beverages brands in development and innovations of the new products accelerate the growth of the market. 

Frozen Food Market Trends

• Rapid shifts in urbanization and busy lifestyle changes and dietary habits primarily due to the rise in disposable income is a major growth factor for the frozen food market which increases the demand for ready-to-eat meals.
• The expanded shelf life of the product helps the consumers to use the product for a longer duration along with the same nutritional value as that of traditional food.
• Advancements in cold chain infrastructure, like better and increase in storage and transportation of products and increase in retail penetration have made products more accessible to consumers.
• Private label growth where supermarkets and some small-scale retailers are launching their frozen food brands.
• Rising Freezer Temperature to Cut Emissions: The UK grocery chain Morrisons is experimenting with lowering freezer temperatures in a few of its locations from –18 degrees to 15 degrees. By reducing energy use and carbon emissions, this modification may lessen its negative effects on the environment without sacrificing the quality of the food. (Source: The Guardian)
• Frozen Produce as a Waste Reduction Tool: Frozen fruits and vegetables are highlighted as a climate-smart option in a Washington Post Story. When electricity sources are more environmentally friendly, frozen foods can compensate for energy-intensive freezing because they preserve nutrients and reduce food waste in the home and supply chain when compared to fresh produce. (Source: The Washington Post)
• Frozen vs. Fresh: Lower Waste, Better Nutrition: According to a Cornell meta-analysis cited in a Food and Wine article, fresh produce is thrown out up to six times more frequently than frozen. It highlights that this discrepancy greatly increases greenhouse gas emissions and that when properly prepared, frozen options provide long-lasting nutritional value. (Source: Food & Wine)

Market Opportunity

The Technological Advancement in Freezing Techniques and Sustainable Smart Packaging

The advancement in the freezing techniques helps in better product quality and longer shelf life maintaining the nutritional value of the food. Freezing techniques such as individual quick freezing, cryogenic freezing, hydro-fluidization freezing and high-pressure processing with freezing. Sustainable and smart packaging reduces waste and improves the freshness of the product for a longer period. Using tight and transparent film that covers the product directly reduces oxygen exposure and extends shelf life while using less plastic and reducing waste generation.

Market Challenge

High Energy and Storage Cost 

The frozen food market faces the challenge of high energy consumption and expensive storage infrastructure. These cost affects manufacturers as well as consumers as they add to the cost of the final product. The equipment used also requires frequent maintenance to ensure efficiency. Temperature control transport requires more fuel as compared to other transportation which adds up to the cost. The freezers used for storage of the products are not the normal refrigerators they require a significant amount of power supply for the working which increases electricity usage. This hinders the growth of the market as the cost remains a major challenge.

Frozen Food Market Regional Insights

North America Dominated the Frozen Food Market in 2024.

It holds the largest market of frozen products due to its busy lifestyle, high disposable income and well-developed cold chain infrastructure. The strong demand for ready-to-eat meals is very high among the working and young population, and the plant-based frozen food and snacks drive the market in this region. Growth in private-label products from supermarkets is growing rapidly and adoption of healthy, organic, gluten-free frozen food drives the market. 

• In February 2025, Bloomfield, New York-Finger Foods Farm, a family-owned organic farm in the Finger Lakes, is excited to introduce its new line of farm-fresh frozen soups to Wegmans stores across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

Asia Pacific Expects the Fastest Growth in the Market During the Forecast Period. 

The rising urbanization, changing dietary habits, and growing middle-class population in the region contribute to the growth and demand for the market. The increase in demand for the ready to eat meals and snacks and the expansion of online shopping and delivery to the doorstep has helped this market to grow at a faster rate along with the increasing disposal income. Changing food preferences and shifting towards healthy and nutritional food for longer duration grows demand for frozen food.

• In May 2023, Snack and packaged food manufacturing company Bikano has launched a line of frozen items in the international market, with the goal of increasing export sales by 40 per cent year-on-year (YoY), reported Economic Times (ET).

Segmental Insights

Product Insights

The Ready Meals Segment Dominated the Frozen Food Market in 2024.  

The growth of the segment is attributed to the rising preference of the ready meals by the population of the developed countries due to the busy lifestyle and growing interest among younger generation towards the ready to eat meals or snacks products is driving the growth of the segment. The fruit and vegetables segment expects a significant growth in the market during the forecast period. The growth of the segment is owing to the rising demand for the health and ready to eat fruits or vegetables which can be directly consumed and can eliminate the chopping and washing process boosts the demand for the segment. 

Distribution Channel Insights

The Offline Segment Dominated the Frozen Food Market in 2024. 

The rising urbanization across the developing countries and the availability of the wide range of supermarkets, retail stores, and others with the greater availability of the food products with different brands and attractive offers and discounts that boosts the adoption of the offline distribution channel segment. The online segment expects a significant growth in the market during the predicted period. The increasing disposable income in the population and the growing inclination towards the e-commerce and food delivery sector for the household products are driving the demand segment.

Freezing Technology Insights

The Individual Quick-Freezing Technology Segment Dominated the Frozen Food Market in 2024.

This is an advanced freezing technique that preserves the texture and food quality of the product for a longer duration, the technology is effectively used in the preserving the different types of food for a long time with maintaining their nutritional properties. The blast-freezing segment expects a significant growth in the market during the forecast period. This is a traditional method used, where the cold air is blown over food products. Commonly used for meat, seafood, bakery items, and vegetables. This is the most conventional and cost-effective for bulk freezing of the food product. 

Recent Developments in the Frozen Food Market

• Wardwizard foods and beverages launches their new product under QuikShef to Canada, USA, and UAE, they are expanding their product line in frozen food by introducing the ready to eat Indian meals to the global market. The brand is dedicated to delivering innovative food and also contributing to the Indias economy.
• In May 2024, Nestle launched a new frozen-food brand, Vital Pursuit, aims at the growing market of consumers using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, the product contains all the nutrition required, and the goal is to complement the healthy eating habits for those who are on weight loss medicine.
• Clean Label & Health-Conscious Frozen Foods: Clean-label frozen products with few well-known ingredients are now preferred by consumers. Plant-based preservatives and organic claims are influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Growing health consciousness and demands for transparency are driving the movement toward healthier frozen meals. (Source: Powder Bulk Solids)
• Premiumization & Restaurant Quality Experiences at Home: Frozen food is transforming as brands introduce upscale, chef-inspired meals. These products replicate restaurant-quality experiences with globally curated recipes and rich flavors, reshaping frozen aisles into gourmet destinations. (Source: Food Business News)
• Global Cuisines Reshaping Aisles: The demand for ethnic and internationally inspired meals is growing, particularly among younger consumers. Mediterranean bowls, Korean barbecue, Japanese gyoza, and Indian curries are becoming increasingly popular because they appeal to intrepid palates and cultural curiosity. (Source: Supermarket News)

Frozen Food Market Top Leading Companies

• Nestlé
• Conagra Brands
• Nomad Foods
• General Mills
• Tyson Foods
• Unilever
• Sysco Corporation
• McCain Foods
• Ajinomoto Co., Inc.
• Kraft Heinz Company

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product Type 

• Fruits & Vegetables
  • Fruits
    • Berries
    • Tropical Fruits
    • Citrus Fruits
    • Grapes
    • Stone Fruits
    • Others
• Vegetables
  • Peas
  • Broccoli
  • Cauliflower
  • Carrot
  • Bell Paper
  • Beans
  • Mushroom
  • Avocado
  • Corn
  • Others
• Potatoes
• Ready Meals
• Meat
• Fish/Seafood
• Dairy Products
• Bakery Products
• Others

By Freezing Technology 

• Individual Quick Freezing (IQF)
• Blast Freezing
• Belt Freezing

By Distribution Channel  

• Food Service
• Retail
  • Hypermarkets & Supermarkets
  • Convenience Stores
  • Online
  • Others

By Region

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