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China's frozen prepared dishes market has experienced explosive growth recently. In 2023, its market size totaled about ** billion yuan, more than ten times the value in 2018. It was estimated that the market would grow to a size of over *** billion yuan by 2028.

Frozen foods on the rise

In the last few years, convenience foods have become increasingly popular in China, particularly among younger generations leading fast-paced lives. In major cities, young professionals often work longer and face lengthy commutes, leaving them little time for home cooking. As a result, many turn to frozen foods as an alternative, contributing to the frozen food market’s rise in size to more than *** billion yuan. Currently, frozen rice and flour products dominate the landscape. However, it was expected that prepared dishes would surpass them and become the largest segment in the frozen food sector.

Consumer preferences and purchasing habits

Frozen meals are often made from aquatic ingredients and/or meat, combined with other ingredients and condiments. Precooked seafood is the favorite prepped meal category, with over of consumers reporting consumption. Most consumers purchase prepared dishes at least a week, with some even buying more frequently. For Chinese buyers, expiration dates and freshness are top priorities when selecting frozen foods.Ìý