Prepared Food Popularity Soars Among Gen Z, Fueled by Global Flavors

Generation Z’s culinary habits are reshaping the prepared food market, with convenience and global flavors driving significant growth. While social media showcases some Gen Z individuals embracing cooking, the broader trend reveals a strong preference for ready-to-eat options, notably those inspired by Asian and Latin American cuisines.

The Rise of Ready-to-Eat Meals

The demand for prepared food is skyrocketing, especially among younger consumers. A Eurocommerce study indicated that while 45% of Gen Z express a desire to cook from scratch, a ample 77% opt for convenient, ready-made meals at least monthly. Millennial preferences are similar, with 72% purchasing prepared food regularly. This trend is fueled by factors like busy lifestyles and the search for affordable alternatives to dining out.

Did you Know? The European market for fresh, prepared food is projected to triple in value over the next decade, largely driven by Gen Z and Millennial consumers.

Global flavors Dominate

Beyond convenience, Gen Z’s adventurous palate is shaping the flavors available in the prepared food aisle. Asian and Latin American cuisines are particularly popular, reflecting a broader trend toward global flavors. One major retailer reported a nearly 30% jump in demand for world cuisine-inspired ready-to-eat dishes this year.

“Eating prepared food has been one of Maxima’s cornerstones for many years – the dishes marked with the Master Quality brand have had a rather stable demand,but recently we have been capturing the growth of fast -world cuisine dishes. Our technologists follow global trends and every season involves innovations in the prepared food menu that responds to the hottest fashion. We did not even expect such a success in the spring as an Asian salad with chicken, a curry with chicken and chickpeas, chili stew, and from the previously presented dishes among the best -selling sushi with salted salmon. This indicates that the growth of the category of prepared food category is closely linked to the desire and ability to respond to global trends, “says I. Trakimaitė-Šeškuvienė.

Supermarkets Adapt to Rapidly Changing Tastes

to cater to these evolving preferences, supermarkets are becoming increasingly agile in their product advancement. Retailers are now capable of developing and launching new prepared food items in a matter of weeks, ensuring they stay ahead of the latest culinary trends. Such as, one retailer created a new cake inspired by Angel’s Hair Chocolate in a very short time frame to meet customer demand.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on social media for emerging food trends, as these frequently enough translate into new offerings in the prepared food section.

Inflation’s Impact on Prepared Food choices

Rising inflation is also playing a role in the popularity of prepared food. As restaurant prices increase, consumers are seeking more affordable meal options. Supermarket prepared meals offer a cost-effective alternative, allowing individuals to enjoy professionally prepared food at a fraction of the price of dining out.

Key Factors Driving Prepared Food Growth

• Convenience: Ready-to-eat meals save time and effort.
• Affordability: prepared food offers a budget-kind alternative to restaurants.
• Global Flavors: Asian and Latin American cuisines are highly sought after.
• Supermarket agility: Retailers are quickly adapting to new culinary trends.

The prepared food market is dynamic, with Generation Z leading the charge toward convenient, globally-inspired options. As supermarkets continue to innovate and adapt, this trend is expected to continue it’s upward trajectory.

What are your favorite prepared food options? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Are you seeing more global flavors in your local supermarket’s prepared food section?