South Africa Frozen Foods Market Size, Share, Analysis, Trends: By Product Type: Frozen Fruits, Frozen Vegetables, Frozen Meals; By End Use: Food Service, Retail; By Distribution Channels: Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online; Market Dynamics; Competitive Landscape; Industry Events and Developments; 2023-2028

South Africa Frozen Foods Market Outlook

The South Africa frozen foods market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% in the forecast period of 2023-2028, owing to the increasing demand for convenience foods by consumers. The global frozen food market is rapidly growing and is likely to affect the regional markets as well.

News and Developments in the Market

In July 2021, South Africa's RFG Holdings purchased frozen food assets from local peer Pioneer Foods for an undisclosed fee. Frozen pies, pastries, sausage buns, pizza, and party packs are among the items offered, and they are sold under the Today, Mama's, Big Jack, and Man's Meal brands. This acquisition will assist RFG in strengthening its position in the market for frozen pies and pastries and services in the high-end South African retail sector.

The top-end retail market's frozen pie and snack segment supports RFG's expanding pies and pastries sector. The purchase has the potential to produce positive synergies for the business, while broadening the selection for the retail market. These growing mergers and acquisitions are driving the South Africa frozen foods market growth.

Ready-to-Eat Food Items, Rising Demand for Functional Foods, and Growing Utilisation by End-Users to be Among Key Market Trends

Fresh food items that are frozen and kept in the refrigerator before cooking, the main purpose is to extend the shelf life of the product. Defrosting food slows down decomposition and prevents the growth of the majority of microbiological infections by turning any remaining moisture into ice. Food products that have been frozen can be kept and used for an extended period of time.

The most popular food items include convenience meals, fruits and vegetables, chicken and turkey, fish, soups, and a similar assortment of goods.

• The demand for convenience and ready-to-eat foods in the Middle East and Africa has been prompted by changes in consumer lifestyle and changes in dietary habits, which is fuelling the South Africa frozen foods market demand.

• Functional foods are among the key factors driving the growth in the region because they spare the consumers from having to prepare, clean up after, and spend time cooking meals.

• The increased consumption by business giants like KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, and McDonald's is significantly driving the growth.

• Additionally, the growth in demand can also be attributed to the rising use of these items by a variety of end users, including hotels, resorts, and quick service restaurants.

Rising Interest Pizzas, Lack of Agro-Based Products, and Low Trans-Fat Products to Offer Lucrative Growth Opportunities

Rising Interest for Pizzas

The growing popularity of pizzas and varied breakfast products, which are positioned as simple goods yet thrive in quality and freshness, is predicted to drive the market growth.

Lack of Agro-Based Products

Due to a scarcity of agricultural products and arable land, these food products are becoming more and more popular, especially in the Middle East region. This is expected to drive the South Africa frozen foods market growth.

Growing Consumer Preference for Low Trans-Fat Products

The growing consumer preference for low trans-fat and high nutritional value products would spur the South Africa frozen foods market development.

Lack of Proper Infrastructure and the Growing Preference for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to Pose as Major Challenges for the Industry

Lack of Proper Infrastructure

The primary necessity for the storage of frozen foods is cold chain logistics. Emerging nations like South Africa lack the cold chain infrastructure and are unable to offer their people safe products. This is obstructing the South Africa frozen foods market from developing.

Shift to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Consumers with lower incomes prefer freshly prepared meals because they are more concerned with the product's freshness. Given that fresh produce is preferred over frozen goods over the projection period, this factor could restrict the market growth.

South Africa Frozen Foods Market Analysis

The market is segmented by product type into frozen meals, fruits, and vegetables, among others. Frozen meals are further segmented into half-cooked and ready-to-eat. The products find end-uses in food service and retail sectors. The distribution channels include supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, and online, among others.

The comprehensive EMR report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter's five forces model and giving a SWOT analysis. The report gives a detailed analysis of the following leading companies in the South Africa frozen foods market, covering their competitive landscape and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, investments and expansion plans.

• KÜHNE + HEITZ Holland B.V.

• Euroberry Pty Ltd

• Dluu Fresh Agri Processing

• Berries Express

• McCain Foods Limited

• Merlog Foods

• Others

Frozen Meals Segment to Dominate the Market Growth

According to South Africa frozen foods market research report, the demand for ready-to-cook or ready-to-eat food is constantly rising due to people's busy lifestyles and need for convenience, which is driving the expansion of the market.

Half-cooked and ready-to-eat frozen meals are becoming increasingly popular due to various factors, including changing lifestyles and an increase in the number of working women. The growth in the consumption of frozen bakery goods, such as bread and pizza crusts, is one of the key factors responsible for driving the growth of the segment.

Ready-to-cook meals are microwaveable, portion regulated, and shelf stable due to technical advancements in the frozen food sector, which are fuelling market expansion.

Market to Benefit from the Food Service Industry

The South Africa frozen foods market is predicted to witness significant increase in the food service industry. This is because the food service sector consumes a significant number of frozen meals. With an increase in hotel owners, fast food chains, pubs, bars, quick service restaurants, chefs, and other business entities, the food service industry is growing.

Additionally, quick service restaurants and fast-food chains have started using them in place of fresh ingredients because they take less time to prepare and cut down on customer wait times.

Convenience Stores, Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, and Online Segments to be the Leading Distribution Channels

Based on distribution channel, the South Africa frozen foods market is expected to be dominated by supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores. Convenience stores and hypermarkets' infrastructure includes temperature-controlled and freezing facilities, which is fuelling this sector's expansion as a distribution route for frozen goods.

Additionally, more purchases are being made through online channels as a result of increased internet usage and easy access to smartphones. As a result, a number of fast-food companies are moving toward internet portals to improve online meal ordering, which in turn helps the product market grow.

The industry is also expanding owing to recent trends, which make it easy for clients to choose their preferred frozen foods through these websites when they shop for groceries online utilising a variety of applications. The online segment is thus anticipated to expand with the availability of doorstep delivery options.

Rising Demand for Convenience Foods to Aid the Market Growth

Due to the ease of preparation and consumption, consumers are more likely to choose convenience foods including baked goods, confectionary items, beverages, and other ready meals. There is a rising need for convenience in the processed food market due to customers' busy lifestyles. Therefore, this is anticipated to propel the South Africa frozen foods market.

Rising disposable income and long shelf life are among the other factors that have a favourable impact on the expansion of the frozen food market. Also, to improve the quality of their products, manufacturers are employing technologies like Individually Quick-Frozen (IQF) technology. With the aid of this technology, products of better nutritional value can be produced with increased quality.

Furthermore, during the projected period, an effective approach for purchasing frozen food to ensure cost effectiveness from imported goods is anticipated to aid the South Africa frozen foods market expansion. The demand in this region is also expected to be boosted by the innovation or improvement in frozen food items such peas, pizza, sausages, plain chicken, and other frozen food products with low fat, low cholesterol, whole wheat, and artificial ingredients.

Competitive Landscape

KÜHNE + HEITZ Holland B.V. is an international food trading company. The business imports frozen goods from all over the world and distributes them in more than 100 nations. The following food industries are served by it: producers, wholesalers of commodities, distributors of foodservice, and retailers that sell food to consumers.

Euroberry Pty Ltd has developed into one of South Africa's top suppliers of frozen fruit, purees, and concentrates to the industrial trade. The company originally served the South African market as an importer and wholesaler of frozen fruits, but today it purchases local fresh fruits for freezing and also exports to other countries.

Dluu Fresh Agri Processing, a division of Dlulyza Investments provides freshly cut, processed, and frozen vegetables, fresh fruit, salad greens, poultry, red meat, and fish to parastatals, hospitals, clinics, schools, old age homes, and workplace canteens since it began operating in 2006.

Berries Express sources its high-quality, organic, fresh, and frozen berries directly from regional farmers. By selling directly to consumers, the business lowers the cost of berries while also ensuring product freshness.

McCain Foods Limited primarily produces frozen foods but also produces a range of chilled goods such fries, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, and goods like potato flakes. McCain has worked on market development for frozen foods and agricultural research and development in a number of nations.

Merlog Foods is among the leading wholesalers and distributors of the product across the nation. The company offers a variety of frozen vegetables, French fries, value-added potato products, and processed meats in addition to its principal focus on frozen meat and chicken.

Key Highlights of the Report

*At Expert Market Research, we strive to always give you current and accurate information. The numbers depicted in the description are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the final EMR report.