Survival Food Kits Market By Food Type (Dehydrated Food, Freeze-Dried Food, Ready-to-Eat Meals); By Kit Type (Individual Kits, Family Kits, Military Kits); By Shelf Life (Less than 5 Years, 5–10 Years, More than 10 Years); By End User (Households, Military and Defense, Outdoor Enthusiasts); By Geography, Segment revenue estimation, Forecast, 2024–2032.

The survival food kits market was USD 2.3 billion in 2023 and is expanding. It is expected to reach an approximate market value of USD 4.1 billion in 2030 at an expanded CAGR of 8.4% from 2024 to 2030. This growth can be attributed to rising awareness of disaster preparedness, higher incidences of natural calamities, and a shift towards increased self-sufficiency.

 

Survival food kits are sealed bags that contain preserved and easy-to-eat foods for people during disasters or difficult circumstances like blackouts. A variety of meal kits, such as dehydrated food kits, freeze-dried food kits, and ready-to-eat food kits containing both shelf-stable and nutritious meals, should be included in disaster preparedness.

 

Market Drivers

Increasing Frequency of Natural Disasters: Increased frequency of hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wildfires worldwide has enhanced the awareness of disasters, hence the need for survival food kits. In the year 2023 itself, as per the report of the United Nations, there were over 400 natural disasters worldwide, affecting more than 200 million people. Example: In 2023, the American people experienced several hurricanes, and as a result, people rushed to buy survival food kits, and suppliers could not meet the demand that increased by 35%.

 

Growing Consumer Awareness and Preparedness: People have woken up to the need to prepare for disasters, which has led to a high demand for survival foods and kits for individual and household needs. For example, some Canadian retail stores indicated early this year that they had recorded a 25% enhancement in survival kit sales due to awareness campaigns related to National Preparedness Month.

 

Rising Adoption in Military and Adventure Sports: Survival food kits are preferred by military personnel and any group engaged in various activities; hence, they come in compact packages, are easily transportable, and have a long shelf life. Example: In 2023, a European company that supplies military consumables signed a deal with a maker of survival food to feed 30,000 soldiers.

 

Market Opportunities

Expansion in Emerging Markets: Opportunities are still developing in Asia-Pacific and Latin America for products such as survival food kits, increased consumption awareness, and government-led emergency preparedness programs. For example, in 2023, the Indian government started a disaster awareness campaign for survival kits, thus increasing demand for homemade ones.

 

Rising Demand for Customizable Kits: Businesses offering specialized survival food buckets that are made in compliance with individual dietary requirements have also become popular. Example: A U.S. startup launched personalized survival kits in 2022 and saw 20% customer satisfaction vs. non-personalized products.

 

Growth of E-Commerce Channels: Convenience and affordability are the trends of survival food kits that become available in e-commerce platforms for a global audience. Example: The e-tailer found that web sales of emergency food kits were up 30% during Black Friday 2023 due to previous marketing efforts.

 

Market Restraints

High Cost of Premium Survival Food Kits: Specialized diets or kits, especially those with longer shelf lives than regular food, can be costly, rendering their provisioning unattainable in certain areas.

 

Lack of Awareness in Underdeveloped Regions: In some regions, a lack of knowledge about emergency preparedness and the need for survival food restrains market growth.

 

Logistical Challenges: Many survival food kits are large and require certain storage conditions, most often temperature ones, for distribution.

 

Market Segmentation

By Food Type:

• Dehydrated Food

• Freeze-Dried Food

• Ready-to-Eat Meals

 

By Kit Type:

• Individual Kits

• Family Kits

• Military Kits

 

By Shelf Life:

• Less than 5 Years

• 5–10 Years

• More than 10 Years

 

By End User:

• Households

• Military and Defense

• Outdoor Enthusiasts

 

By Region:

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

 

Segment Analysis of Survival Food Kits Market

By Food Type:

Leading Segment: Freeze-Dried Food

Freeze-dried food holds the largest market share in the survival food kits market. This food type is popular for its long shelf life, nutritional value, & lightweight nature, making it ideal for emergency situations & survival purposes. Freeze-dried meals retain most of their nutrients & flavors after rehydration, making them a preferred option for survival kits, especially for longer durations. The demand for freeze-dried food is driven by factors such as growing outdoor activities, natural disasters & the increasing need for emergency preparedness.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Ready-to-Eat Meals

Ready-to-eat meals are the fastest-growing segment in the survival food kits market. The convenience factor of ready-to-eat meals, which require no preparation or cooking, is fueling this segment's rapid growth. As more consumers seek simple solutions for emergency food storage or convenience during outdoor adventures, the demand for these meals has surged. This segment’s growth is also driven by the rising popularity of emergency preparedness & survivalist activities among households & outdoor enthusiasts.

 

By Kit Type:

Leading Segment: Individual Kits

Individual survival food kits dominate the market due to their tailored nature, providing just enough food for one person to survive for a certain period. These kits are widely used by individuals seeking emergency preparedness for personal survival situations, and they are available in compact, portable packages. With growing awareness around the importance of personal emergency preparedness, individual kits are becoming the preferred choice for solo adventurers, preppers, and those seeking self-reliance in emergency scenarios.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Family Kits

Family kits are quickly becoming the most popular in the survival food kits market. They come with bigger portions, enough to feed a whole family for several days, which makes them perfect for emergency preparations.

The growth of this segment is attributed to the increasing number of families looking to ensure they are well-prepared for disasters, with a growing interest in emergency readiness programs & survival gear. As families face unpredictable weather patterns, political instability, and health crises, the demand for family-sized survival food kits is on the rise.

 

By Shelf Life:

Leading Segment: More than 10 Years

Survival food kits that last over 10 years are the most popular segment. People prefer these kits because they can stay good for a long time without needing refrigeration or frequent replacement, which is crucial for emergency food storage. These food kits are particularly popular in regions with a high risk of natural disasters, where people want to ensure they are ready for any emergency, no matter when it strikes. The longer shelf life of these kits makes them an attractive option for long-term storage.

Fastest-Growing Segment: 5–10 Years

The 5–10 years shelf life segment is the fastest-growing due to its balance between long-term storage & affordability. Many survivalists and preppers opt for kits with a shelf life in this range, as they offer a more economical option while still ensuring food remains viable for a significant amount of time. As consumer preferences shift towards more practical & cost-effective emergency supplies, the demand for 5–10 years shelf life survival food kits is increasing rapidly.

 

By End User:

Leading Segment: Households

Households are the main buyers of survival food kits. As concerns about natural disasters, food shortages & climate change grow, families are increasingly stocking up on emergency food supplies. They understand the need to be prepared & self-sufficient, making these food kits essential for their emergency plans. Additionally, the growing DIY prepping culture has boosted household interest in emergency food solutions.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Outdoor Enthusiasts

Outdoor enthusiasts, including campers, hikers & backpackers, are the fastest-growing end-user segment for survival food kits. The increasing popularity of outdoor activities, combined with a heightened focus on preparedness, is driving the demand for lightweight, portable & easy-to-prepare survival food. With more people enjoying outdoor activities, there's a growing demand for reliable, easy-to-carry & easy-to-store food options. This trend is driving the growth of this market segment.

 

By Region:

Leading Region: North America

North America holds the largest market share in the survival food kits market. The U.S., in particular, leads the way due to a combination of factors including frequent natural disasters (such as hurricanes & wildfires), a large outdoor enthusiast community, and heightened concerns over emergency preparedness. The growing popularity of survivalist culture and the preparedness movement, along with strong demand from households and military organizations, make North America the leading region in this market.

Fastest-Growing Region: Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region for survival food kits, driven by increased awareness of emergency preparedness, especially in countries like Japan, China & India. Japan’s frequent earthquakes and other natural disasters have spurred growth in the survival food sector, while growing outdoor activity in countries like China and India has also contributed to the rise in demand. As the middle class continues to expand and disaster preparedness becomes more of a priority, the APAC region is experiencing significant growth in the market for survival food kits.

 

Key Players

• Mountain House (Oregon Freeze Dry, Inc.)

• ReadyWise

• The Ready Store

• Valley Food Storage

• Augason Farms

• Emergency Essentials

• Legacy Food Storage

• Patriot Pantry

• Thrive Life

• 4Patriots

 

Survival Food Kits Market Report Coverage

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2023 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2023	USD 2.3 billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 4.1 billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 8.4%
Base Year for Estimation	2022
Historical Data	2017 – 2021
Unit	USD Billion, CAGR (2023 - 2030)
Segmentation	By Food Type, By Kit Type, By Shelf Life, By End User, By Region
By Food Type	Dehydrated Food, Freeze-Dried Food, Ready-to-Eat Meals
By Kit Type	Individual Kits, Family Kits, Military Kits
By Shelf Life	Less than 5 Years, 5–10 Years, More than 10 Years
By End User	Households, Military and Defense, Outdoor Enthusiasts
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	Increasing frequency of natural disasters, growing consumer awareness and preparedness, and rising adoption in military and adventure sports.
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.

 

Future Outlook

The survival food kits market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years due to consumer awareness, innovations and development in food preservation techniques, and high incidences of natural disasters. Further, the Asia-Pacific and Latin American markets will be crucial, backed by governmental policies and calamity response frameworks.

 

Manufacturers concentrating on inexpensive products, customization, and environmentally friendly packing will be in a favorable position. Due to emerging global issues, survival food kits will become a normal part of people’s lives, households, outdoor and other enthusiasts, and emergency preparedness organizations by 2030.