Canada Instant Food Market Overview, 2028

Canada has witnessed significant growth and transformation in recent years, catering to the evolving needs and lifestyles of Canadian consumers. With the fast-paced nature of modern life, convenience and time efficiency have become paramount considerations for individuals and families when it comes to meal preparation. The instant food industry in Canada offers a diverse range of products that provide quick and easy solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacking occasions. From instant noodles and soups to ready-to-eat meals, frozen pizzas, and microwaveable snacks, Canadians have access to a wide variety of options that satisfy their cravings and dietary preferences. Moreover, the industry has also responded to the increasing demand for healthier choices with an array of instant food products featuring organic, gluten-free, vegetarian, and low-sodium options. This focus on health and wellness has resonated with consumers who seek convenient yet nutritious alternatives to traditional home-cooked meals. The industry's continuous innovation, coupled with advancements in packaging and production techniques, ensures that Canadians can enjoy delicious and satisfying meals in a matter of minutes. Whether it's busy professionals, students, or families looking for quick and hassle-free meal solutions, the instant food industry in Canada has emerged as a go-to option, providing convenience, variety, and quality for the modern Canadian consumer. The culture surrounding instant food in Canada reflects the diverse and multicultural society of the country. Instant food has become an integral part of Canadian food culture, offering convenience and quick meal solutions in a fast-paced lifestyle.

According to the research report "Canada Instant Food Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the Canada Instant Food market is projected to reach a market size of above USD 7 Billion by 2028. Canada has witnessed shifts in demographics and family structures, including an increase in single-person households, dual-income families, and individuals living alone. These changes have led to a growing demand for instant food products that cater to smaller portion sizes, single servings, and ready-to-eat options, accommodating the needs of individuals and smaller households. Canadians' increasingly mobile lifestyles have created a desire for portable and easily digestible food options. Instant food products, such as energy bars, snack packs, and microwaveable meals, provide convenience for people who are constantly on the go, commuting, or seeking quick snacks at work or on the road. Canadian consumers are increasingly influenced by global food trends and flavours. The instant food market has responded to this demand by offering a variety of international cuisines and flavours in convenient formats. The availability of instant noodles, soups, curries, and other globally inspired dishes reflects the multicultural palate and adventurous nature of Canadian consumers. Based on the product types, the segment includes breakfast cereal, Instant Noodles, pasta, snacks, instant ready meals, desserts, and others. In the Canadian instant food market, breakfast cereal holds the highest market share. Breakfast cereal has become ingrained in Canadian food culture as it has been a popular breakfast choice for generations. It has become a staple in many households, and the tradition of enjoying a bowl of cereal in the morning has been passed down over the years. Breakfast cereals are not limited to breakfast. Flaked cereals, such as corn flakes or bran flakes, are often favoured by Canadian consumers. These cereals offer a light and crispy texture and are commonly enjoyed with milk or yoghurt. They are versatile and can be customised with the addition of fresh fruits or nuts. Multigrain cereals, which combine different grains like wheat, rice, corn, or barley, are also popular in Canada. These cereals offer a mix of textures and flavours and are often fortified with additional vitamins and minerals.

Canada is famous for its social programmes, free healthcare, universal schooling, and gorgeous lakes and mountains. Food is so important to Canadians that they even celebrate it once a year with an entire day dedicated to nothing but eating. One aspect of Canadian instant food culture is the influence of international cuisines. Canada's multicultural population has led to a wide variety of instant food options inspired by different culinary traditions. Additionally, Canadian instant food culture often incorporates a focus on health and wellness. As Canadians become more health-conscious, there is a growing demand for instant food options that offer nutritious ingredients, lower sodium content, organic or natural ingredients, and options catering to specific dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan. Many instant food brands in Canada have responded to this demand by offering healthier alternatives that do not compromise on taste or convenience. Based on the packaging types, which include Normal and Frozen, in Canada, the normal packaging types segment is leading the market, and in the future, the frozen packaging types will grow at the highest CAGR rate. Freezing is an effective method for preserving the nutritional value of food. Frozen instant food products are often flash-frozen shortly after being prepared, which helps to retain their nutrients, flavours, and textures. This makes frozen packaging a popular choice for consumers who prioritise the nutritional content of their meals. As well, frozen instant food products are typically easy to store and prepare. They can be conveniently stored in the freezer until needed, requiring minimal effort for meal planning or cooking. Many frozen instant food items come with simple heating instructions, making them suitable for individuals with limited cooking skills or time constraints.

Distribution channels include supermarkets and hypermarkets, departmental and convenience stores, online stores, and others. In Canada, supermarkets and hypermarkets have the highest market share, but in the future, online stores will grow at the fastest rate. Online stores provide the convenience of shopping from anywhere and at any time. Consumers can browse through a wide variety of instant food products and place orders from the comfort of their homes or offices. This accessibility appeals to busy individuals who may not have the time or opportunity to visit physical stores. Online stores offer a vast selection of instant food products from various brands and categories. They often have a broader range of options compared to physical stores, including specialty items, regional or international cuisines, and niche dietary choices. This extensive product range caters to diverse consumer preferences and allows for greater exploration and experimentation. There are several online stores that offer instant food at a wide range of prices; here are some of the most popular online stores that sell instant food in Canada: Amazon.ca, Walmart.ca, Well.ca, Real Canadian Superstore, Instacart, and more.

Considered in this report
• Geography: Canada
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028



Aspects covered in this report
• Canada Instant Food market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product type:
• Breakfast Cereal
• Instant Noodles & pasta
• Snacks
• Instant ready Meal
• Desserts
• Others

By Packaging Type:
• Normal
• Frozen

By Distribution channel:
• Supermarket/Hypermarket
• Departmental/Convenience Store
• Online Store
• Others (Specialty Stores)

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to Instant Food industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.