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Prepared Meal Production in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Melanie Katz Melanie Katz Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: August 2024 WZ C10.85DE

Revenue

€3.7bn

2024

€3.7bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

14,933

Businesses

77

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Prepared Meal Production in Germany industry analysis

The products manufactured in this sector consist of at least two ingredients and are chilled, frozen or canned and then usually reach the end consumer via food retailers. Ready meals are characterised by the fact that they can be prepared quickly and have a long shelf life. In recent years, sales in the ready meal production industry have fluctuated somewhat. In the period from 2019 to 2024, industry sales fell by an average of 1.2% per year. Due to the increasing demand for time-saving convenience products and the increased demand for long-life and easy-to-prepare dishes such as frozen pizza and tinned food as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, industry sales grew significantly in 2020 and fell again in subsequent years. In the current year, turnover for ready meal manufacturers is expected to fall by 3.9% to 3.7 billion euros.In addition to high levels of fat, sugar and salt, ready meals also contain many preservatives and flavour enhancers, which is why they are considered unhealthy and are often avoided as a result of increasing health awareness. On the other hand, the upward trend in consumer spending on food and beverages has had a largely positive impact on the industry's sales over the last five years, as consumers are prepared to spend more money on higher-quality or healthier ready meals. At the same time, however, consumers are also spending more money on restaurants and takeaways, which are among the strongest competitors of ready meals manufacturers and have been recovering from the effects of the pandemic since 2022.For the period from 2024 to 2029, consumer behaviour is expected to normalise after the pandemic, which is why sales are likely to fall by an average of 0.5% per year. This means that industry turnover is expected to amount to 3.6 billion euros in 2029. The need for consumers to visit restaurants again after the restrictions imposed by the pandemic is likely to be high in the coming years, meaning that demand for ready meals is likely to stagnate. The number of companies and businesses operating in the sector is likely to fall slightly.

Trends and Insights

  • Most ready meals tend to be considered unhealthy and contain a relatively large number of additives due to their preparation and preservation. This is why health-conscious consumers in particular are buying fewer and fewer ready meals.
  • In recent years, the demand for deep-dish pizza has risen continuously. Due to the ease of preparation and general popularity of pizza, this product is expected to continue to account for a large proportion of industry sales in the future.
  • Prepared food manufacturers are preferably located in areas with a large population. There are many supermarkets and discount stores in these areas, which in turn supply end consumers.
  • In addition to the financing options for advertising measures, well-known brand products have the advantage of having a higher recognition value than products from less well-known manufacturers. This contributes to strong customer loyalty.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €3.7bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The demand for convenience products is crucial for sales of ready meals

  • The driving force behind the demand for ready meals is the growing need in recent years for dishes that can be prepared as quickly and easily as possible. Convenience products are becoming increasingly popular, especially among consumers who have little free time.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Prepared Meal Production in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Demographic change is altering the structure of the most important target groups for ready meals

  • As a result of the ageing population, the proportion of older people in the overall population will increase in the coming years, while the proportion of younger population groups will decrease.

Biggest companies in the Prepared Meal Production in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Dr. August Oetker KG
638.0
Nestlé Deutschland AG
460.0
Frosta AG
191.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Prepared Meal Production in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Pizzas, Meat-based ready meals and Stuffed pasta and other dough-based products. Pizzas is the largest segment of the Prepared Meal Production in Germany.

Trends and Insights

Brand manufacturers of frozen pizzas generate the largest share of sales in the industry

  • Frozen pizzas and similar products account for the largest share of sales in the sector.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry comprises the production of ready meals that are already seasoned and cooked or pre-cooked. Ready meals must contain at least two ingredients in addition to spices and are often preserved by blast freezing or filling in tins. The production of chilled dishes is also part of this industry. The preparation of dishes for immediate consumption, on the other hand, is not part of the industry.

What's included in this industry?

PizzasMeat-based ready mealsStuffed pasta and other dough-based productsVegetable-based ready mealsReady meals based on fish

Companies

Dr. August Oetker KGNestlé Deutschland AGFrosta AG

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Related Terms

ALLERGENESCONVENIENCE PRODUCTGLUTEN

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 10.85 - Prepared Meal Production in Germany

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

Most ready meals tend to be considered unhealthy and contain a relatively large number of additives due to their preparation and preservation. This is why health-conscious co...

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

In recent years, the demand for deep-dish pizza has risen continuously. Due to the ease of preparation and general popularity of pizza, this product is expected to continue 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

Prepared food manufacturers are preferably located in areas with a large population. There are many supermarkets and discount stores in these areas, which in turn supply end ...

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 Europe, 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

In addition to the financing options for advertising measures, well-known brand products have the advantage of having a higher recognition value than products from less well-k...

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

Dr. Oetker is the market leader with its diverse range of deep-frozen pizzas. In the ready meals sector, the company is primarily represented with deep-frozen pizza and snack...

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 Dr. August Oetker KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Nestlé Deutschland AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Frosta AG'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 Dr. August Oetker KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Nestlé Deutschland AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Frosta AG, 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

Industry players must comply with the labelling requirements of the European Union, which are contained in the Food Information Regulation. It has been binding since 2014 and...

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

In recent years, the industry's profit margin has increased slightly. This is partly due to the greater demand for branded products.

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 Meal Production industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Prepared Meal Production industry in Germany is €3.7bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Prepared Meal Production in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 77 businesses in the Prepared Meal Production industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Prepared Meal Production industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Prepared Meal Production industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 1.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Prepared Meal Production industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Prepared Meal Production industry in Germany is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Prepared Meal Production market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Prepared Meal Production market in Germany are Dr. August Oetker KG, Nestlé Deutschland AG and Frosta AG

What does the Prepared Meal Production in Germany include?

Pizzas and Meat-based ready meals are part of the Prepared Meal Production industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Prepared Meal Production in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Dr. August Oetker KG.

How competitive is the Prepared Meal Production industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Prepared Meal Production industry in Germany.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Meat Product Processing in Germany
  • Seafood Processing in Germany
  • Potato Crisps & Snacks Production in Germany
  • Fruit & Vegetable Processing in Germany

Complementors

  • Other Food Wholesaling in Germany
  • Grocery Wholesaling in Germany
  • Supermarkets in Germany
  • Organic Food Retailing in Germany

International industries

  • Frozen Food Production in the US
  • Baking Mix & Prepared Food Production in the US
  • Frozen Pizza Production in the US
  • Frozen Food Production in Canada
  • Baking Mix & Prepared Food Manufacturing in Canada

View all industries in Germany

Methodology

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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 Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

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.

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