Ready-meals with a difference

Mintel data shows that the value of the frozen ready-meals market in the UK has been reduced by the effect of price promotion, while chilled ready-meals continue to be a big rival in the market place. This has caused the main players to diversify into premium and luxury range prepared meals. The developing market for food in central and Eastern Europe may also represent an opportunity for increased sales of these products. Most ready-meals are made up of a combination of carbohydrate (eg rice, potato or pasta), protein (fish or meat), vegetables and sauce. Despite increasing awareness of the health benefits from eating fish, ready-meals containing fish are less common than those containing chicken or beef and the appearance of such fish meals on the market are a relatively recent occurrence.