Future of Frozen Food 2025 Report Reveals New Frozen Food Trends and Generational Insights

Rhea-AI Summary

Conagra Brands released its second annual Future of Frozen Food 2025 report, analyzing trends in the $91.3 billion U.S. frozen food market. The report identifies five key trends shaping the industry: Modern Health, Elevated In-Home Experiences, Global Cuisine, Bites & Minis, and Spice & Heat.

Notable findings include a 54% increase in frozen food spending during family formation years among Millennials and Gen Z, a 33% growth in probiotic and gut-friendly frozen products, and spicy frozen food sales exceeding $2.0 billion. The research shows that global street food reached $543 million in sales, while bites and mini portions grew to $2.4 billion, with 84% being consumed as meals rather than appetizers.

Positive

• Market size of $91.3 billion indicates strong industry presence
• 54% increase in frozen food spending during family formation years
• 33% growth in probiotic and gut-friendly frozen products
• Bites and mini portions sales reached $2.4 billion
• Spicy frozen foods sales exceeded $2.0 billion

Negative

• None.

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Comprehensive Data-Driven Report Identifies Top Five Areas Shaping the $91.3 Billion U.S. Frozen Food Market

CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The rise in GLP-1 use, appetites for spice and heat, and indulgent in-home dining experiences, are just some of the trends driving growth identified in Conagra Brands' second annual Future of Frozen Food 2025 report. This data-driven report reveals how consumer behaviors, generational preferences, and innovations are reshaping the $91.3 billion U.S. frozen food market.¹ 

Conagra's Demand Science team leveraged insights from Circana, social media trends from Tastewise, and search trends from Similarweb to develop this year's report. The report highlights five transformative trends driving the future of the frozen food department, along with additional information reflecting how and what frozen foods are being consumed.

"An increasingly diverse array of frozen foods are available, reflective of the overall shifts in what U.S. consumers are eating," said Bob Nolan, senior vice president of demand science at Conagra Brands. "New insights point to evolving generational habits and preferences. As Millennials and Gen Z enter family formation years convenience and affordability become the priority, driving a 54% increase in spending on frozen foods during this period."²  

2025 Emerging Trends:

While Conagra Brands is a leader in the U.S. frozen food marketplace, the data and trends identified reflect the broader U.S. frozen food industry:

1. Modern Health: Health-conscious consumers are seeking frozen products that cater to gut health, portion control, and other dietary needs. Frozen foods with probiotics and nutrient-dense, gut-friendly ingredients have grown 33% during the past three years.³ New products accommodating the 15 million+ Americans currently using GLP-1 medication with convenient options are also transforming the category. For those with a sweet tooth, better-for-you frozen desserts are also on the rise.⁴

2. Elevated In-Home Experiences: While more people are choosing to stretch their budgets by dining at home, consumers are looking for premium, restaurant-quality options. With an additional 25.6 billion in-home eating occasions since pre-pandemic⁵, buyers are recreating restaurant dishes at home. Frozen food is meeting this demand by offering premium, chef-inspired, and celebrity-backed products which save on preparation time while providing value, fun and unique experiences.

3. Global Cuisine: Increasingly diverse flavors continue to grow in the frozen aisle. Indian-inspired meals such as tikka masala and Japanese flavors like teriyaki are booming⁶, while global street food hit over $543 million in sales.⁷ Younger generations are embracing these adventurous tastes and are 24% more likely to purchase globally inspired products.⁸

4. Bites & Minis: Small but mighty, bites and mini portions continue to soar in popularity, appealing to families and younger consumers. With sales increasing to $2.4 billion⁹ and a 31% increase in consumption year-over-year,¹⁰ these products are not only convenient but offer a diverse array of options for any occasion. They're no longer thought of as just appetizers – 84% are now being enjoyed as meals.¹¹  

5. Spice & Heat: Spicy frozen foods are heating up, with U.S. sales surpassing $2.0 billion.¹² Younger generations have a strong preference for spicy foods. In fact, Gen Z is 48% more likely to buy spicy frozen meals.¹³ Popular emerging spice profiles, such as gochujang also reflect the influence of global cuisines on this trend.

The full report can be viewed here: Conagra Brands' Future of Frozen Food 2025 Report

About Conagra Brands

Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), with headquarters in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye^®, Duncan Hines^®, Healthy Choice^®, Marie Callender's^®, Reddi-wip^®, and Slim Jim^®, as well as emerging brands, including Angie's^® BOOMCHICKAPOP^®, Duke's^®, Earth Balance^®, Gardein^®, and Frontera^®, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.

About the Future of Frozen Food 2025 Report:

Conagra Brands proudly shares the second edition of the Future of Frozen Food Report. This report is not based on traditional consumer surveys, and instead leverages Conagra's cutting edge demand science and insights expertise. In addition, we partnered with Circana, LLC to provide robust sales data and in-home consumption behaviors from its National Eating Trends® report. The latest social media trends are also layered in throughout from Tastewise, as are Google Search trends from Similarweb. This report provides a comprehensive, data-driven look at the future of the $91.3 billion U.S. frozen food industry,¹ as defined by Circana, LLC. The Future of Frozen Food 2025 report can be reviewed in its entirety on the Conagra Brands website.

Media Inquiries:
media@conagra.com

Sources:

1. Circana, LLC, Total US – MULO+ Conv, All Frozen Department Products, Dollar Sales, 52 Weeks Ending October 20, 2024
2. Circana, LLC, Total US – MULO+ Conv, Frozen Department Products, Household by LifeStage, Dollar Sales, 52 Weeks Ending November 3, 2024
3. Circana, LLC, Total US – MULO+ Conv, Modern Health, Total Frozen Department, Probiotics by Category, Volume Sales Percent Change, YE October 2021 v. YE October 2024
4. Circana, LLC, Scan Panel, US, Modern Health, Frozen Desserts, No Sugar by Generation, NBD Dollars, 52 Weeks Ending November 3, 2024
5. Circana, LLC, National Eating Trends®, Future of Frozen Initial Exploration – November 2024, Home/Retail v. Foodservice, Annual Projected Occasions (Billions), YE Sep 2024 v. Pre-Covid YE Feb 2020
6. Circana, LLC, Total US – MULO+ Conv, Ethnic Frozen Single Serve Meals by Product, Volume Percent Change, YE October 2021 v. YE October 2024
7. Circana, LLC, Total US – MULO+ Conv, Frozen Global Street Foods, Volume Sales Percent Change, YE October 2022 v. YE October 2024
8. Circana, LLC, Scan Panel, US, Frozen Global Street Foods by Product and Generation, NBD Dollars, 52 Weeks Ending November 3, 2024
9. Circana, LLC, Total US – MULO+ Conv, Frozen Bites & Minis by Product, Dollar Sales, 52 Weeks Ending October 20, 2024
10. Circana, LLC, National Eating Trends®, Future of Frozen Initial Exploration – November 2024, Home/Retail, Size/Trend Frozen Bites/Minis, YE September 2023 v. YE September 2024
11. Circana, LLC, National Eating Trends®, Future of Frozen Initial Exploration – November 2024 , Frozen Bites & Minis, Occasions, Percent of Eatings, YE September 2023 v. YE September 2024
12. Circana, LLC, Total US – MULO+ Conv, US, Frozen Spicy Food by Product, Dollar Sales and Volume Sales Percent Change vs. YA, 52 Weeks Ending October 20, 2024
13. Circana, LLC, Scan Panel, US, Frozen Hot/Spicy Single Serve Meals by Generation, NBD Dollars, 52 Weeks Ending November 3, 2024

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SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.

FAQ

What are the 5 key trends identified in Conagra's Future of Frozen Food 2025 report?

The five key trends are Modern Health, Elevated In-Home Experiences, Global Cuisine, Bites & Minis, and Spice & Heat.

How much has spending on frozen foods increased among Millennials and Gen Z?

Spending on frozen foods has increased by 54% during family formation years among Millennials and Gen Z.

What is the current market size of the U.S. frozen food industry?

The U.S. frozen food market is valued at $91.3 billion.

How much growth have probiotic and gut-friendly frozen products seen?

Frozen foods with probiotics and nutrient-dense, gut-friendly ingredients have grown 33% during the past three years.

What percentage of bites and mini portions are being consumed as meals?

84% of bites and mini portions are now being consumed as meals rather than appetizers.

How likely is Gen Z to buy spicy frozen meals compared to other generations?

Gen Z is 48% more likely to buy spicy frozen meals compared to other generations.