Market Value £117m*
5% YOY Growth
15% Growth 2018-22
Continued inflation has put more pressures on consumer spending, and has seen consumers avoid more pricey foodservice outlets. This in turn has helped to drive more consumers to use prepared meals at home. Prepared meals that can effectively re-create the restaurant experience are likely to be hold strong appeal.
35% of consumers have eaten a ready meal in the last month, third after Pizza 53% & Soup 52%.
*Market Value £117m in Ireland 2022
With 31% of Irish consumers feeling worse off financially in comparison to 2022 due to thecost-of-livingcrisis, consumers are adapting their eating habits to cope with these financial pressures.
2024 – 2025
If inflation continues apace, it will see consumers seek more cost-effective meal options, as well as meals that can be prepared in energy-efficient methods, driving interest in prepared meal options.
Trends
Healthier options continued to be a key area of NPD in ready meals / ready-to-cook foods in 2021 and into 2022.
63% of consumers buy ready meals as an alternative to takeaways & 50% as alternative to dining out.
57% of consumers would buy more if they were more readily available in convenience stores.
35% of consumers have eaten a ready meal in the last month third after Pizza 53% & Soup 52%.
“I would be most likely to choose one ready meal / ready-to-cook food over another if it…….please select up to three”
...was a dish that would take a long time to cook from scratch
30%
...had healthy ingredients
clearly visible
29%
...was nutritionally complete
27%
...was a dish that would be expensive to cook from scratch
25%
...was low in calories
(eg under 400 calories)
20%
Drivers
Continued inflation has put more pressures on consumer spending, and has seen consumers avoid more pricey foodservice outlets.
31% of Irish Consumers feel worse off! Resulting eating at home. The income squeeze will offer ongoing support to the ready meals / readyto-cook foods market.
Ready meals / ready-to-cook foods continue to play a role in the majority of people’s diets in 2022, with 88% of people saying they eat them.
Overall usage of ready meals/ready-to-cook foods is highest amongst younger demographics at 94% of 16-24s, while they also eat these products the most often, further highlighting their role as a key user group.
Healthy, great tasting & good value are key drivers.
why
Low calories &
high in protein
Bright & attractive packaging
Social media strategy
to grow demographic
16-24 year olds.
Locally produced
using only the best
ingredients
Caters for all tastes from the wholesome classics to the exotic favourites
Big on quality
& big on value
3 million meals produced per year & growing.
