Meal Kit Market By Meal Type (Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free); By Serving Type (Single-Person Meal Kits, Family Meal Kits); By End-User (Residential Consumers, Corporate Offices, Institutions); By Geography (Segment revenue estimation, Forecast, 2024–2032).

The meal kit market was USD 14.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 31.3 billion during the next several years, with a CAGR of 11.2% between 2024 and 2030. Some of the trends that favor the market include shifting consumer trends in food consumption, growing inclination towards healthy foods, and increasing demand for online food delivery.

 

The meal kit market refers to services where customers can order fresh and precut ingredients and recipes ready for cooking, with an option of subscription-based or one-time purchases. Meal kit delivery services also offer special diets for customers, such as vegan, vegetarian, keto, and gluten-free diet preferences. The market has gained a lot of popularity due to factors such as busy life schedules, the need for home-cooked food, and the most important factors being convenience and avoiding going to grocery stores.

 

Market Drivers

Busy Lifestyles and Time Constraints: Increased busy schedules due to work, school, and other activities have compelled people to source easy meal preparation methods. Meal kits may be convenient for busy individuals and families who want home-cooked food but do not have the time for meal planning and purchasing groceries. Example: On average, in 2023, the food delivery through meal kits contributed to 25% of the total online orders in the North American region due to its utility by working professionals.

 

Rising Demand for Healthy and Customized Diets: The emphasis on healthy eating has escalated the utilization of crazy meal-conveyor services that offer low-carb, organic meals and those free from allergens. Another survey conducted in 2023 showed that 60% of the people who subscribed to meal kit services wanted services that provided healthy meal options.

 

E-commerce Expansion and Digital Convenience: E-commerce integration with Apps has made it convenient for consumers to subscribe to meal kits and manage their orders. Example: One of the biggest European meal kit providers saw a 30% subscription boost in 2022 through engaging app-based interfaces.

 

Reduced Food Waste: Meals that are already divided into portions allow the buyer to buy only what they are going to use, and they also do not spoil easily, which conforms with the current trends of reducing food waste encouraged by both the consumers and the government. Example: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pointed out that with meal kits, households may save up to 30% of food that would otherwise be thrown away, compared to regular grocery shopping.

 

Market Opportunities

Expansion in Emerging Economies: Market players in the industry can benefit from the growing trend in urbanization, the growing disposable income within populations, and these changing eating habits, especially within growing economies such as India, China, and Brazil, to mention but a few. Example: The India meal kit market in 2023 expanded to rise by 20% through demand in metropolitan cities.

 

Growth of Vegan and Plant-Based Meal Kits: The growing propensity of consumers to switch to vegan and plant-based diets is another unique but fast-growing segment with significant potential for meal kit companies. Example: A plant-based meal kit delivery service in Canada noted that subscriptions grew by 40% in the year 2022 due to increased health awareness among millennials.

 

Corporate Partnerships and Bulk Meal Kits: The sale of bulk meal kits from collaborations with corporate offices and institutional customers significantly improves MoreAlice’s growth because its target market is urban areas. Example: In 2023, a meal kit provider gave the U.S. tech company employee meal options to increase the company’s revenue to 15%.

 

Market Restraints

High Costs and Subscription Fatigue: Cooking with a box is much easier and quicker, but it is more expensive than regular shopping, and some users get bored of subscriptions.

 

Logistical Challenges and Perishability: Food requires timely delivery to be fresh, and problems arise in remote or developing areas.

 

Market Segmentation

By Meal Type:

• Vegetarian

• Non-Vegetarian

• Vegan

• Gluten-Free

 

By Serving Type:

• Single-Person Meal Kits

• Family Meal Kits

 

By End-User:

• Residential Consumers

• Corporate Offices

• Institutions

 

By Region:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

 

Segment Analysis of Meal Kit Market

By Meal Type:

Leading Segment: Non-Vegetarian

Non-vegetarian meal kits hold the largest market share in the meal kit market. The demand for these kits is driven by the popularity of meat-based meals, especially among working professionals & busy families looking for convenience without sacrificing nutrition or taste. The rise of premium & gourmet meat options such as organic chicken, grass-fed beef & sustainably sourced seafood has boosted the demand. Companies like Blue Apron and HelloFresh offer a wide variety of non-vegetarian options, contributing to the dominance of this segment.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Vegan

The vegan meal kit segment is growing at the fastest rate due to increasing awareness of plant-based diets driven by health trends & environmental concerns. With consumers looking for healthier, sustainable, and ethical food choices, vegan meal kits are gaining popularity. Brands like Purple Carrot & Sun Basket have capitalized on this shift by providing diverse & flavorful plant-based meal options. The rising number of vegan & vegetarian consumers globally is fueling this rapid growth.

 

By Serving Type:

Leading Segment: Family Meal Kits

Family meal kits are the top choice in the meal kit market. Busy families are looking for convenient and nutritious options to feed everyone at once, so the demand for these kits is high. They come with larger portions and a variety of meals that cater to different dietary preferences, making them perfect for households. Companies like HelloFresh and Green Chef offer family-friendly options that suit different tastes and family sizes.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Single-Person Meal Kits

Single-person meal kits are growing the fastest in the market. With more single-person households & more working professionals living alone, these kits provide convenience & portion control. They are perfect for individuals looking for quick & easy meal solutions. This segment has seen significant growth, with brands like Freshly & EveryPlate offering a variety of single-serve options for busy people.

 

By End-User:

Leading Segment: Residential Consumers

Residential consumers make up the largest portion of the meal kit market, driven by the growing demand for home-delivered meal solutions. As people become more accustomed to cooking at home but desire the convenience and simplicity of pre-portioned ingredients, the residential consumer segment continues to dominate. Meal kit companies, such as Blue Apron & HelloFresh, have built their businesses around residential meal delivery, offering flexibility, variety, and convenience.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Corporate Offices

Corporate offices represent the fastest-growing end-user segment for meal kits, particularly as companies look for ways to improve employee wellness and satisfaction. Meal kits are increasingly being used as part of corporate wellness programs, providing employees with healthy and convenient lunch options. Companies like Tovala & Eat Club are teaming up with businesses to provide catered meal solutions for employees, which is boosting this segment's growth. The increase in remote work & hybrid work models is also driving up the demand for meal kits in corporate settings.

 

By Region:

Leading Region: North America

North America holds the largest share of the meal kit market, particularly in the U.S. & Canada, driven by a strong consumer demand for convenience and healthy meal options. The presence of major meal kit delivery companies, including Blue Apron, HelloFresh & Freshly, has helped the region maintain its dominant position. Additionally, the growing trend of home cooking & the rising adoption of online grocery shopping contribute to North America’s market leadership.

Fastest-Growing Region: Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region for the meal kit market, with countries like China, Japan & Australia driving growth. The growing demand for convenient, ready-to-cook meals, along with rapid urbanization & changing lifestyles, has led to the rise of meal kit services in this area. In Australia, companies like Marley Spoon & Dinnerly are taking advantage of the increased interest in easy-to-prepare meals. As the region's middle-class population grows and consumer preferences shift towards healthier eating habits, the meal kit market in APAC is projected to experience substantial growth.

 

Key Players

• HelloFresh

• Blue Apron

• Home Chef

• Marley Spoon

• Green Chef

• Freshly

• EveryPlate

• Gobble

• Purple Carrot

• Daily Harvest

 

Meal Kit Market Report Coverage

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2023 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2023	USD 14.8 billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 31.3 billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 11.2%
Base Year for Estimation	2022
Historical Data	2017 – 2021
Unit	USD Billion, CAGR (2023 - 2030)
Segmentation	By Meal Type, By Serving Type, By End-User, By Region
By Meal Type	Vegetarian, Non-Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free
By Serving Type	Single-Person Meal Kits, Family Meal Kits
By End-User	Residential Consumers, Corporate Offices, Institutions
By Region	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa
Country Scope	US, Canada, Germany, UK, France, China, Japan, India, etc.
Key Market Drivers	Busy lifestyles and time constraints, rising demand for healthy and customized diets, e-commerce expansion and digital convenience, and reduced food waste.
Major Players	HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Home Chef, Sun Basket, Marley Spoon.
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.

 

Future Outlook

The global market for meal kits is well positioned for future growth due to various factors, such as changes in consumers’ eating preferences, the development and enhancement of technology, and steady growth in urbanization. Increasing disposable income and shifts in people's living standards will determine opportunities to tap into Asia-Pacific and Latin American emerging markets.

 

Thus, the health-oriented, environmentally friendly and adjustable manufacturers are likely to get advantages over their competitors. This industry is only predicted to grow and become as commonplace for families around the globe by 2030 as we consider meal planning and preparation to be today.