Explore the latest innovation in prepared meals, pizza and soup in 2024 with Mintel’s global innovation report. The report identifies the major launch activities, pivotal consumer attitudes and most important product development of the year across regions EMEA, APAC, and the Americas.
Key innovation trends in the convenience foods market are analysed and succinctly presented alongside Mintel’s consumer data and insights. So you can understand changing consumer demands and identify future growth opportunities.
This report also presents Mintel’s analysts’ pick of the most innovative launches in the global prepared meals, pizza and soups market. Understanding innovation in convenience foods has never been so easy.
Meet The Expert Behind The Report
This report was written by Zoe Wong. Zoe joined the Food & Drink team in March 2023, having previously worked in Mintel GNPD Operations. In her current role, she researches and writes category reports. Zoe has a background in NGO fundraising and corporate communications and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of Western Australia.
Convenience is shaping innovation trends as plant proteins flourish in prepared meals and shelf-stable formats go gourmet.
Zoe Wong
Junior Analyst – Food & Drink, BPCH
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- What we have seen
- Our pick of the most innovative launches in this review
- Other innovative launches
- The Future of Meals, Pizzas and Soups: 2024
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EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA (EMEA)
- Europe: shelf-stable prepared meals are gaining traction
- The value of shelf-stable meals particularly resonates with younger consumers
- Shelf-stable prepared meals are slowly gaining prevalence
- Graph 1: prepared meals launches, by storage type, 2020-24
- Brands are diversifying the flavour profiles in shelf-stable prepared meals
- Brand renovation/innovation: Tilda moves beyond the rice category with new Tasty Sides range
- Europe: private labels tap into consumer interest in affordable treats
- Private-label pizza holds strong appeal for consumers
- Private labels are at the forefront of premium pizza launches
- Graph 2: total premium pizzas launches, by share of private label claims, 2020-24
- Private labels celebrate quality ingredients and artisanal processing techniques to distance from UPF
- The Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- Brands offer various mac and cheese meal options to suit different needs
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Asia Pacific (APAC)
- Asia: added/high protein claims have seen a slight increase in prepared meal launches
- High protein content is associated with health in instant food
- The prepared meals segment has seen subtle yet significant growth in meat flavours and added protein claims
- Graph 3: prepared meals launches, by share of select flavour components, 2020-24
- Brands focus on convenience and variety of protein sources
- South Korea takes the lead in high-protein prepared meals
- Brand renovation/innovation: Good Health Farm debuts ‘world-first’ tempeh beef mince
- Asia: brands provide time-saving solutions to tackle complex recipes
- Convenience and taste go hand in hand
- Convenience is the driving force in prepared meals
- Graph 4: prepared meals and meal kit launches, by share of select convenience claims, 2020-24
- Brands flag up sophisticated and gourmet cooking processes
- Australia & New Zealand
- Soup brands are ramping up ethical product messaging
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the americas
- North America: brands cater to consumer interest in non-microwave cooking appliances
- Consumers look beyond microwave preparations in ready meals
- Non-microwave preparations continue to emerge, while microwave claims have declined in launch activity
- Graph 5: prepared meals and meal kits launches, by share of keywords of non-microwave cooking appliances* in product descriptions, 2020-24
- A shift away from microwave claims and towards alternative cooking methods
- Brands highlight convenience, quality and customisation offered by skillet meals
- Brand renovation/innovation: Chef Boyardee enters the freezer aisle for the first time with skillet meals
- North America: brands adapt to the evolving era of plant-based diets
- Consumers are sceptical about plant-based meat substitutes
- Plant-based protein sources are taking the spotlight in vegan prepared meals
- Graph 6: prepared meals and meal kits launches featuring vegan and plant-based claims, by share of select ingredients, 2020-24
- Brands formulate with whole foods as plant-based protein sources
- Latin America
- Brands are striving to improve the perceived unhealthy image of instant dry soups
- Graph 7: soup launches, by sub-category, 2020-24
- Natural and healthy attributes feature among dry soup launches
What is 'A Year of Innovation' Report?
To truly understand a market, it’s essential to look at the products that are shaping it. Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports provide a detailed review of specific categories, focusing on the most notable product launches from the past 12 months. These reports are designed to give you a clear and comprehensive picture of recent innovation and its impact.
How We Analyse a Year of Innovation
By deconstructing the past year’s activity, we can provide valuable context for your current and future strategies. Here’s how we do it.
A Deep Dive into Product Launches
The core of these reports is a thorough examination of new products. We go beyond simply listing what’s new. Our analysis delves into the “why” behind each product launch, exploring the strategies, ingredients, and marketing claims that are driving innovation. This helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and where the market is headed.
Powered by the Global New Products Database (GNPD)
Our insights are built on a foundation of robust data from Mintel’s Global New Products Database (GNPD). This powerful tool tracks and catalogues new product launches from around the world. By leveraging the GNPD, we offer a complete exploration of innovative activity within your category, ensuring our analysis is comprehensive, accurate, and relevant.
Uncovering Trends and Consumer Shifts
Our ‘A Year of Innovation’ reports are designed to equip you with actionable insights into how to lead innovation in your category. By studying recent product launches, we can identify shifting consumer habits and preferences. These reports help you connect the dots between what consumers want and how companies are responding. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends, allowing you to refine your own product development and marketing strategies with confidence.
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