Europe Frozen Food Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Europe Frozen Food Market Size

The Europe frozen food market attained a value of USD 65.24 billion in 2023. The market is further expected to grow at CAGR of 2.8% in the forecast period of 2024-2032 to attain approximately USD 83.6 billion in 2032.

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Europe Frozen Food Market Growth

Europe, along with North America, is one of the major regional markets for frozen food. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are some of the significant markets of frozen foods in Europe. Both Germany and the United Kingdom have witnessed robust market growth in the historical period of 2018-2023. France, too, is increasingly adopting frozen food as a part of its staple diet, further catalysing the growth of the frozen food market in Europe. The increasing urban income, economic stability, and high consumer purchasing powers are the key drivers that are propelling the growth of the market.

The growing popularity of frozen foods in Europe can also be attributed to the growing preference for ready-to-eat food, cost-effectiveness of the products, globalisation of cuisines, evolving culinary practices, favourable regulations, innovative practices by players in the industry, and the increasingly busier lifestyles of consumers. Moreover, the introduction of various healthy and diet-related frozen meals have added to the popularity and convenience of frozen foods, thus, providing further impetus to the Europe frozen food demand.  The market growth is also expected to be supported by the rising adoption of veganism, providing further opportunities for innovation and product diversification.

Europe Frozen Food Market Trends

COVID-19 Crisis Serves as a Boon for the Frozen Food Industry in Europe

The fast development of food chains, supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience store, along with the easy availability and improved quality of products, are some of the significant drivers of the industry. Additionally, the robust growth of the food industry and the increased rate of employed women also serve as important factors for the rapid growth of the frozen food industry in Europe.

As per the Europe frozen food market dynamics and trends, while major industries suffered due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the pandemic proved to be an advantage for the frozen food industry in Europe. Consumers increasingly purchased frozen food in the region during the pandemic, with the spending per household on frozen food increasing during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) claimed that the sales of the retail frozen food industry increased by £872 million to over £7 billion a year in 2020 in the United Kingdom. The spike in frozen food purchases can be attributed to the longer shelf life of the product, easy availability over online channels, and the availability of a wide range of vegetarian and vegan products.

Recent Developments

As per the Europe frozen food market dynamics and trends, Balkan Bites, a frozen food brand, announced that it has incorporated Mini Phyllo Rolls in its product line which draws inspiration from the southeastern European region. These rolls are mainly prepared in air fryers or ovens to get the best texture.

Industry Outlook

The Growth in Working Population and Expanding Retail Sales of Grocery Items Drives the Europe Frozen Food Market.

As per the Europe frozen food industry analysis, in 2023, the employment rates across Europe varied significantly, highlighting notable regional disparities. Northern European countries exhibited the highest employment rates, with Iceland leading at 85.3%, followed closely by the Netherlands at 83.5%, and Sweden at 82.6%. These countries, along with Norway (80.4%) and Denmark (79.8%), consistently demonstrate robust labor markets. Western Europe also displayed solid employment rates, with Germany at 81.1%, Ireland at 79.1%, and Austria at 77.9%. With a rising percentage of working-class population, there is a growing demand for frozen foods in the region.

The growth in urban population further stimulates the growth of the Europe frozen food industry. From 2018 to 2023, there has been a noticeable upward trend in the urban population percentage and the total urban population, indicating significant urbanisation. In 2018, 74.20% of the population was urban, and this percentage rose each subsequent year, reaching 75.70% in 2023. The urban population in absolute numbers also expanded from 552.9 million in 2018 to 561.8 million in 2023.

In Q1 2023, retail sales in the EU-5 countries were driven significantly by food inflation, peaking at 17.2%, despite a 4.5% decline in volume, which contributed to the Europe frozen food industry revenue. This indicates a strong influence of rising food prices on overall sales figures. Moving into Q2, inflation remained high at 15.0%, but the volume decline moderated to 1.5%. By Q3, inflation slowed to 11.1%, with a further reduced volume decline of 1.6%. In Q4, inflation dropped to 7.5%, showing stabilization, though volume decreased marginally by 0.6%.

For the entire year of 2023, food inflation across the EU-5 averaged 12.3%, with a total volume decline of 1.9%. Across Europe, food inflation for 2023 stood at 12.8%, with a volume decline of 2.0%.

Convenience and Longer Shelf Life, Nutritional Preservation, and Diverse Product Range Support the Growth of Europe Frozen Food Market:

• Frozen foods offer convenience to consumers with busy lifestyles, as they are easy to prepare and have a longer shelf life compared to fresh produce, aiding the Europe frozen food demand growth.

• Advances in freezing technology have improved the ability to preserve the nutritional value of foods.

• The frozen food market in Europe offers a wide variety of products, including frozen vegetables, fruits, meats, and ready-to-eat meals, catering to different consumer preferences and dietary needs.

• Europe has a robust distribution network and infrastructure for frozen foods, ensuring their widespread availability on online and offline channels.

Perception of Quality, Energy-Intensive Storage, Price Sensitivity, and Competition from Fresh and Processed Foods Can Limit Manufacturers’ Profits in Europe Frozen Food Market:

• The market faces stiff competition from fresh and other processed foods which can negatively influence Europe frozen food demand forecast. 

• Some consumers perceive frozen foods as being of lower quality compared to fresh foods. This can reduce consumer acceptance of frozen foods.

• The storage and transportation of frozen foods require significant energy consumption, leading to higher operational costs and environmental concerns. 

• Frozen foods can be more expensive than fresh alternatives, making them less accessible to price-sensitive consumers. 

• Economic downturns and financial instability can reduce consumer spending on non-essential items, including frozen foods.

Growing Demand for Convenience Foods, Health and Wellness Trends and Technological Advancements Expand Europe Frozen Food Market.

• A rising number of working professionals aids the demand for easy-to-prepare frozen foods and also Europe frozen food demand. 

• Products with organic, low-calorie, and high-nutrient claims can attract health-conscious consumers.

• Innovations like flash freezing and new packaging solutions can enhance product appeal and shelf life.

Competitive Factors in the Europe Frozen Food Market

• Innovation in freezing technology and the development of organic and gluten-free frozen foods, can differentiate brands and attract health-conscious consumers, boosting the demand of Europe frozen food market.

• Balancing cost efficiency with maintaining product quality is key to appealing to a broad customer base.

• Efficient and extensive distribution networks ensure product availability across various retail channels, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online platforms. 

• Brands that emphasize and implement sustainability practices can appeal to environmentally conscious buyers.

• Compliance with EU regulations and obtaining relevant certifications can enhance product credibility and consumer trust.

• Keeping up with evolving consumer trends, such as the demand for plant-based, low-calorie, and functional foods, allows brands to stay relevant. 

• Efficient logistics, inventory management, and supplier relationships help maintain product availability and reduce operational costs.

Key Demand Indicators of the Europe Frozen Food Market

• E-commerce platforms provide a convenient way for consumers to purchase a wide range of frozen food items, which can boost the frozen food share in Europe. 

• Growing awareness of health and wellness drives demand for healthier frozen food options, such as organic, plant-based, gluten-free, and low-calorie products.

• Increased consumer focus on sustainability and reducing food waste boosts the demand for frozen foods, which have a longer shelf life and reduce the frequency of food spoilage.

• Supportive regulations and high food safety standards in Europe ensure consumer confidence in frozen food products.

• Economic fluctuations can influence the demand for frozen foods.

Key Price Indicators of the Europe Frozen Food Market Share

• The cost of raw materials, including vegetables, fruits, meats, and seafood, directly affects the price of frozen food products. 

• Variations in energy prices, driven by changes in fuel costs and electricity rates, impact the overall cost structure and, consequently, the retail prices of frozen foods.

• Wages and labour costs involved in the production, processing, and distribution of frozen foods influence pricing and Europe frozen food market revenue. 

• The cost of packaging materials, including plastics, paper, and environmentally friendly options, plays a significant role in the pricing of frozen foods. 

• Disruptions in the supply chain, such as transportation delays or increased logistics costs, can lead to higher prices.

• Compliance with food safety regulations, environmental standards, and labeling requirements incurs additional costs for manufacturers. 

• Consumer demand and the level of competition within the frozen food market influence pricing strategies.

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Europe Frozen Food Industry Segmentations

Frozen foods are food products preserved under low temperatures and, hence, have a longer shelf life. They include foods such as peas, chips, sausages, carrots, pizza, sweet corn, and others. Although used as a method of preservation for a long time in the colder regions, frozen foods became a staple diet, especially for the Americans after World War II. The popularity of frozen foods is also linked with the increasing popularity of refrigerators in the twentieth century. With the increasingly hectic lifestyle and growing need for convenient food, frozen food has witnessed a wide adoption through the twenty-first century.

By product, the Europe frozen food market is classified into:

• Frozen Ready Meals

• Frozen Fish and Seafood

• Frozen Meat and Poultry

• Frozen Fruits and Vegetables

• Frozen Baked Goods

• Frozen Pizza

• Others

The major types of frozen food market are:

• Raw Material

• Half- Cooked 

• Ready-To-Eat

Based on the end use, the Europe frozen food market is segmented into:

• Retail

• Food Service

The EMR report looks into the regional markets of frozen food industry in Europe like the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy, among others.

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Competitive Landscape

The report presents a detailed analysis of the following key players in the Europe frozen food market, looking into their capacities, market shares, and latest developments like capacity expansions, plan turnarounds and mergers and acquisitions:

• FRoSTA AG

• McCain Foods Limited 

• Nestlé SA 

• Nomad Foods Europe Limited 

• Congelados Cientocinco, S.L

• Dr. August Oetker Nahrungsmittel KG

• Others

The comprehensive EMR report looks into the macro and micro aspects of the industry. The EMR report gives an in-depth insight into the market by providing a SWOT analysis as well as an analysis of Porter’s Five Forces model.

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Europe Frozen Food Market Report Snapshots

Europe Frozen Food Market Size

Europe Frozen Food Market Growth

Europe Frozen Food Companies