Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.9bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Rising demand from households is fuelling growth
- The Prepared Meals Production industry has benefited from rising consumer demand for healthy and convenient ready meals over the past few years, which has fuelled revenue growth for various firms like My Muscle Chef.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Innovation is set to fuel industry expansion
- The industry is forecast to expand its offerings over the next few years to capture greater demand from consumers seeking convenient meal options.
Biggest companies in the Prepared Meals Production in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Lite n' Easy | 501.3 | |
McCain Foods | 259.2 | |
My Muscle Chef | 226.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Pasta-based prepared meals, Meat-based prepared meals and Specialty prepared meals. Pasta-based prepared meals is the largest segment of the Prepared Meals Production in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Demand for meat-based prepared meals has grown as they expand into different cuisines
- Meat-based meals account for most of the industry's products. These meals are labelled according to the kind of meat used and are generally accompanied by vegetables and another side dish, like rice.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry firms primarily manufacture prepared meals, which usually require only heating for consumption. Firms cook purchased ingredients, package the final product and sell it to grocery wholesalers, supermarkets and other food outlets.
What's included in this industry?
Meat-based prepared mealsPasta-based prepared mealsSpecialty prepared mealsCompanies
Lite n' EasyMcCain FoodsMy Muscle ChefPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
PREPARED MEALMEAL KITPRIVATE-LABELIndustry Code
ANZSIC 1199 - Prepared Meals Production in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Rising competition is placing pressure on revenue growth. The increasing prevalence of supermarket private-label prepared meals, as well as growing numbers of convenience-bas...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Meat-based prepared meals' popularity is growing as a result of expansion into different cuisines. Meals like beef teriyaki and Thai green chicken curry have contributed to t...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Businesses establish themselves close to their markets. Producers that locate themselves closer to customers reduce costs associated with wasted food and long-distance transp...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Market share concentration is high as major companies fight for market share. The majority of major players have standing contracts with supermarkets and wholesalers, and sma...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Lite n' Easy continues to take up the largest section of market share. The company has expanded its prepared meal ranges to support sales over the past few years.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Lite n' Easy's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of McCain Foods's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of My Muscle Chef's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Lite n' Easy, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for McCain Foods, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for My Muscle Chef, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The industry is moderately regulated as a result of stringent food safety standards. These regulations and policies are designed to ensure food is properly prepared and does ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
A lower share of purchase costs is pushing profit margins upwards. However, the price of inputs, particularly meat and vegetables, has increased significantly over recent yea...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia is $1.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Prepared Meals Production in Australia industry in 2024?
There are 246 businesses in the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 1.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Prepared Meals Production market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Prepared Meals Production market in Australia are Lite n' Easy, McCain Foods and My Muscle Chef
What does the Prepared Meals Production in Australia include?
Meat-based prepared meals and Pasta-based prepared meals are part of the Prepared Meals Production industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Prepared Meals Production in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Lite n' Easy.
How competitive is the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Prepared Meals Production industry in Australia.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Tea, Coffee and Other Food Manufacturing in Australia
- Potato, Corn and Other Chip Manufacturing in Australia
- Fast Food and Takeaway Food Services in Australia
Complementors
- Meat Processing in Australia
International industries
- Frozen Food Production in the US
- Frozen Food Production in Canada
- Tea, Coffee and Other Food Manufacturing in New Zealand
- Prepared Meal Manufacturing in the UK
- Herstellung von Fertiggerichten
View all industries in Australia
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
