Report Overview

Rapid urbanization and busy lifestyles, economic growth and changing household dynamics, and consumer preferences and technological advancements in food delivery are expected to drive India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market during the forecast period between 2024 and 2030.

India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market – Industry Trends & Forecast Report, 2030

India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market size was estimated at USD 647.1 million in 2023. During the forecast period between 2024 and 2030, India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 16.1% reaching a value of USD 1,805.2 million by 2030. Prominent drivers of the market include the rapid increase in travel, a growing younger generation and working population that prefers convenience foods due to busier lifestyles, and the expansion of the Indian retail sector. New product launches by various manufacturers are also fueling the growth potential of the RTE food market in India. The availability of diverse food options and greater exposure to Western culture have made RTE food a staple in the lives of millennials. Additionally, technological advancements in food packaging and cold chain logistics are further boosting the market. The RTE food market in India is characterized by a wide range of products, including frozen meals, snacks, instant mixes, and ready-to-cook foods, with key players comprising both domestic brands and multinational corporations. Factors such as rising disposable incomes, changing dietary preferences, and improved distribution networks continue to drive the market’s expansion, offering significant opportunities for established players and new entrants alike.

Ready to Eat (RTE) Food – Overview

Ready to Eat (RTE) food refers to pre-cooked or pre-prepared meals that require minimal to no further preparation before consumption. These foods are typically packaged for convenience, offering consumers quick and easy meal solutions that can be eaten immediately after opening, heating, or minimal cooking. RTE foods encompass a wide range of products, including frozen meals, canned foods, snacks, instant mixes, and ready-to-cook items. They are designed to cater to busy lifestyles, providing a balance of taste, nutrition, and convenience, often with extended shelf life due to advanced packaging and preservation techniques.

India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market

Growth Drivers

Rapid Urbanization and Busy Lifestyles

Expanding urban areas with growing migrant and working populations with busy lifestyles across the county have significantly fueled the growth of India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market. As people move to urban areas for better job prospects and living standards, the demand for convenient food options has surged. Urban residents, often juggling busy schedules, have limited time for cooking, making RTE foods an attractive choice for quick and easy meals that do not sacrifice taste or nutrition. This trend is especially prominent among dual-income households, young professionals, students, and individuals living alone, who prioritize convenience and time-efficiency in their food choices. Also, the shift towards smaller household sizes, such as nuclear families and single-person households, has further increased the demand for RTE foods. These households often favor portion-controlled meals that RTE products provide, minimizing food waste and catering to individual consumption needs.

Challenges

Price Sensitive Indian Consumers

Price sensitivity among Indian consumers poses a challenge to the widespread adoption of RTE foods, as many view these products as costlier compared to homemade or street food options. RTE manufacturers face the ongoing challenge of balancing competitive pricing with quality and profitability. To overcome this, companies are optimizing production processes, sourcing ingredients more cost-effectively, and leveraging economies of scale. Additionally, offering value-added options like larger pack sizes, meal combos, and promotional pricing helps attract price-sensitive consumers while preserving profit margins.

Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions on India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market

Escalating geopolitical tensions among countries across regions could have a significant impact on the growth of India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market. These tensions may disrupt global supply chains, leading to increased costs for raw materials and packaging, which could, in turn, drive up prices for RTE products. Additionally, potential trade restrictions and import-export challenges might limit the availability of certain ingredients, affecting product variety and innovation. The uncertainty caused by geopolitical conflicts can also influence consumer spending behavior, making price-sensitive Indian consumers more cautious about purchasing RTE foods. Overall, these factors could pose challenges to the market's growth, requiring manufacturers to adapt their strategies to maintain competitiveness.

India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market

Segmental Coverage

India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market – By Product Type

By product type, India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market is divided into Instant Breakfast/Cereals, Instant Soups & Snacks, Ready Meals, Baked Goods, and Meat Products segments. The instant breakfast/cereals segment holds the highest share in India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market by product type. RTE cereals encompass a wide variety of products and processing technologies. Across countries, the popularity of these cereals has risen significantly, largely due to the increase in working housewives. While consumption remains steady in developed nations, developing countries have greater growth potential. Ongoing research in this sector aims to reduce production costs, making these products more accessible to lower-income populations. It, in turn, supports government fortification initiatives to address malnutrition and related issues.

India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market – By Sales Channel

Based on sales channel, India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market is divided into Hypermarkets/Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, and Online Retail Stores segments. The hypermarkets/supermarkets segment holds the highest share in India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market by sales channel. The hypermarkets/supermarkets segment significantly contribute to the market’s growth by offering a comprehensive range of RTE products. They provide convenience and variety, featuring a broad selection of frozen meals, snacks, and ready-to-cook items, which appeals to consumers seeking efficiency in their shopping experiences. The infrastructure of supermarkets and hypermarkets, including advanced cold storage and handling practices, ensures the freshness and quality of RTE foods, catering to the needs of busy urban consumers and supporting the expansion of India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market.

India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market – By Region

The in-depth research report on India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market covers the market in the country’s major regions: North India, South India, East India, and West India regions. North India hold the highest share in India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. Key factors driving this dominance include the presence of densely populated urban centers in states like Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, where there is a strong demand for convenient meal solutions due to busy lifestyles and rapid urbanization. The rich culinary heritage of North India also plays a crucial role, with a variety of regional cuisines appealing to both local and national tastes. RTE food manufacturers leverage this diversity by offering products that cater to regional preferences, from traditional North Indian dishes to fusion and international cuisines. Additionally, the region benefits from well-established infrastructure and distribution networks, such as retail chains, supermarkets, and hypermarkets, which enhance the availability and accessibility of RTE foods. Increasing disposable incomes and evolving consumer preferences for convenience further bolster the demand for RTE products in North India, making it a key market for manufacturers and retailers. In summary, North India's urbanization, diverse culinary landscape, robust distribution networks, and shifting consumer priorities underscore its leading position in the RTE food market.

Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in India Ready to Eat (RTE) Food Market include Haldiram's, Maggi, Tata Q, MTR, Kitchens of India, The Taste Company, Gitss, Slurrp, and Moms. To further enhance their market share, these companies employ various strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, license agreements, and new product launches.

Recent Developments

• In March 2024 - Bengaluru's new central kitchen, operated by SATS Food Solutions India at Kempegowda International Airport, is one of the largest facilities in the country, capable of producing 170,000 ready-to-eat meals daily. Spanning 220,000 sq ft, it supplies pre-cooked, preservative-free meals to a variety of clients, including institutional caterers and large retailers. The facility utilizes advanced technology and IoT sensors.

Scope of the Report

By Product Type

• Instant Breakfast/Cereals

• Instant Soups & Snacks

• Ready Meals

• Baked Goods

• Meat Products

By Sales Channel

• Hypermarkets/Supermarkets

• Convenience Stores

• Online Retail Stores

By Region

• North India

• South India

• East India

• West India