FDBusiness.com

Ready meals are expected to dominate the prepared meals sector in France up to 2017, according to Canadean. The hectic pace of modern life has led consumers to value practicality and convenience in their daily food choices.

Despite a weak global economy, the prepared meals sector is one of the top five food sectors in France both by value and volume. The sector is expected to grow rapidly, at a CAGR of 3.64% by value and a CAGR of 3.31% by volume up to 2017.

The category is led by ready meals which took the highest share of value and volume in 2012. This trend is expected to continue up to 2017. According to Canadean, the share of ready meals in the prepared meals sector will rise to 77.6% in value and 77.3% in volume respectively up to 2017. A CAGR of 3.86% by value and 3.52% by volume is also predicted.

Pizza comes in second in the prepared meals sector but falls far behind with an expected share of 20.8% by value and a CAGR of 2.92% up to 2017. Share of volume is predicted at 21.5%, growing at a CAGR of 2.61%.

The meal kits category is the smallest in the sector both by value and volume. The share of value is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.15% and 2.61% in terms of volume up to 2017. Even with these growth rates, the share of value and volume for the meal kits category continues to be minimal.

Hypermarkets and supermarkets have held the majority share for market value by distribution channel up to 2012. This trend is expected to continue up to 2017. Cash & carries and warehouse clubs are also gaining share recently, and have the fastest growth in the sector. Despite this, they fall far behind hypermarkets and supermarkets which remain the most popular channel for prepared meals.

The Canadean report; ‘The Future of the Prepared Meals Market in France to 2017’ was published in July 2013.