The French are known for their gourmet cuisine, but Datamonitor’s ConsumerGraphics database shows that the country’s fastest growing food market is in prepared meals. France has not only caught up with the rest of Europe in terms of ready meal demand, but it is now seeing value growth in this category outstrip that of neighbouring countries.

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The French market for ready meals was worth $3.8bn in 2004, with the greatest area of growth due in the chilled ready meals category. The category is forecast to grow from $0.6bn in 2004 to almost $1.0bn by 2009. This 12.4% compound annual growth rate is more than double that expected in Germany, Spain or the UK, and demonstrates a growing demand in France for more convenient meal solutions.


Although the French are traditionally viewed as keen cooks, the amount of time spent cooking and preparing food each day is declining. According to a BBC report, the average French midday meal now lasts 38 minutes, which is less than half the time taken to eat lunch in the 1970s.


Changing consumer lifestyles are driving the market for convenience foods across Europe, including France. Consumers are working longer hours, spending more time commuting and have a growing desire to maximize their increasingly limited leisure time. Modern consumers are prepared to pay a premium for convenient meal solutions that do not sacrifice quality, health or sensory benefits.


An increasing number of French consumers are therefore seeking convenient chilled ready meals which are perceived to be of better quality than their canned or frozen equivalents. The French preference for home cooking meant that the country was initially slow to demand prepared meals compared with the US or the UK. However, growing convenience demands combined with better quality chilled ready meal products is now helping French demand to outstrip the rest of Europe.

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Most demand for chilled ready meals occurs within the 25-54 age-group in France. These are adults of working age, with little time for lengthy meal preparation. Children form a comparatively small proportion of ready meal consumers since parents perceive these meals to be more expensive and less healthy than traditional fare. Chilled food players need to focus on providing French consumers with healthy options that are perceived as good value to make the most of this booming segment.


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