Report Code : CVMI07062512 | Published Date : June 7, 2025

1 | Market Overview

The United Kingdom’s frozen food market is a mature and resilient sector driven by shifting consumer preferences towards convenience, value, and longer shelf life. This category has evolved far beyond basic staples, with increasing demand for ready meals, plant-based options, and frozen international cuisine. The growing presence of discounters, digital grocery platforms, and heightened interest in food waste reduction continue to expand the appeal of frozen formats. Post-pandemic habits, cost-of-living concerns, and health-focused reformulations are shaping the next phase of market growth.

 

2 | Market Size and Forecast

Year

Market Value (USD Billion)

Notes

2019

11.1

Historical benchmark

2024

14.3

Five-year CAGR 5.2%

2031

20.8

Seven-year CAGR 5.5%

The UK frozen food market is projected to surpass USD 20 billion by 2031, fuelled by evolving retail dynamics, economic value, and health-forward innovation.

 

3 | Key Market Drivers

  • Cost-Conscious Consumers: Frozen food offers affordability and longer storage amid inflation.
  • Plant-Based Boom: Growing interest in vegan, vegetarian, and meat-reduction diets boosts frozen category variety.
  • Online Retail Growth: Digital grocery platforms expand frozen assortment visibility.
  • Food Waste Awareness: Frozen formats are gaining favour for sustainability and storage longevity.

 

4 | Market Challenges

  • Consumer Misconceptions: Frozen still faces bias from fresh food loyalists.
  • Cold Chain Costs: Rising energy and transportation expenses strain operational margins.
  • Private Label Pressure: Margin compression for brands due to dominant private-label shelf presence.

 

5 | Competitive Landscape

The UK market is led by national players, global food brands, and strong supermarket-owned labels competing across every frozen category.

Market Share Estimates (2024):

Company

Estimated Market Share

Focus Categories

Birds Eye (Nomad Foods)

18%

Vegetables, fish fingers, ready meals

Iceland Foods

15%

Frozen-only retail; strong in ready meals and family packs

Aunt Bessie’s (Nomad Foods)

9%

Yorkshire puddings, roast accompaniments

Private Labels (Tesco, Aldi, Sainsbury’s)

36%

Price-led frozen range across all categories

Others (Greggs, vegan startups, regional brands)

22%

Plant-based, ethnic, and premium offerings

 

6 | Market Segmentation

By Product Type:

  • Frozen Ready Meals (British classics, Indian, Asian)
  • Frozen Vegetables & Fruits
  • Frozen Meat & Poultry
  • Frozen Fish & Seafood
  • Frozen Bakery & Snacks
  • Frozen Desserts & Ice Cream

 

By Distribution Channel:

  • Supermarkets & Hypermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda)
  • Discount Stores (Aldi, Lidl)
  • Online Grocery (Ocado, Tesco.com, Amazon Fresh)
  • Foodservice Distributors
  • Institutional (Schools, NHS, Contract Caterers)

 

By Consumer Segment:

  • Budget-Conscious Families
  • Young Urban Professionals
  • Seniors & Health-Focused Buyers
  • Institutional Buyers

 

7 | Strategic Outlook

Retailers and brands must deliver on both cost efficiency and dietary relevance. Opportunities lie in healthy frozen snacks, global flavours, clean-label ingredients, and low-sodium reformulations. Investments in energy-efficient storage, sustainable packaging, and last-mile delivery optimisation will shape future competitiveness.





Reasons To Buy

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Scope

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Key Players

  • Nomad Foods (Birds Eye)
  • Iceland Foods Ltd
  • McCain Foods Limited
  • Aunt Bessie's
  • Unilever
  • Nestlé
  • Greenyard Frozen UK
  • Ardo UK Ltd
  • Young's Seafood

 

UK Frozen Food Market Report

 

  1. 1. UK Frozen Food Market Research Report
    1. 1.1 Study Objectives
    2. 1.2 UK Frozen Food Market - Overview
    3. 1.3 Reason to Read This Report
    4. 1.4 Methodology and Forecast Analysis
  2. 2. UK Frozen Food Market Research Report - Preface
    1. 2.1 UK Frozen Food Market Research Report – Detailed Scope and Definitions
      1. 2.1.1 By Product Type
      2. 2.1.2 By Distribution Channel
      3. 2.1.3 By Consumer Segment
      4. 2.1.4 By Region
  3. 3. UK Frozen Food Market Dynamics
    1. 3.1. Drivers - Macro-Economic Based, Supply Side, and Demand Side Drivers
    2. 3.2. Restraints – By Product Type, By Distribution Channel, By Consumer Segment, By Country
    3. 3.3. Opportunities – By Product Type, By Distribution Channel, By Consumer Segment, By Country
    4. 3.4. Trends – By Product Type, By Distribution Channel, By Consumer Segment, By Country
    5. 3.5. PEST Analysis
    6. 3.6. Porters Five Rule Analysis
    7. 3.7. Company’s Share Analysis (CSA) by Region or By Country
    8. 3.8. UK Frozen Food Market Research Report – DROTs Impact Analysis
    1. 4. UK Frozen Food Market Research Report, Historic Data 2019 - 2023 and Forecast Analysis Data 2024 - 2031
    2. 4.1. Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    3. 4.2. Annual Market Trend Assessment – Year-on-Year (YoY) Growth Analysis (%)
    4. 4.3. Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and 2024 - 2031
    5. 4.4. Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
  1. 5. UK Frozen Food Market, By Product Type, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2031 (Market Value, In USD Mn)
    1. 5.1 Frozen Ready Meals (British classics, Indian, Asian)
    2. 5.1.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    3. 5.1.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    4. 5.1.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    5. 5.1.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    6. 5.2 Frozen Vegetables & Fruits
    7. 5.2.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    8. 5.2.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    9. 5.2.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    10. 5.2.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    11. 5.3 Frozen Meat & Poultry
    12. 5.3.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    13. 5.3.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    14. 5.3.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    15. 5.3.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    16. 5.4 Frozen Fish & Seafood
    17. 5.4.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    18. 5.4.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    19. 5.4.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    20. 5.4.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    21. 5.5 Frozen Bakery & Snacks
    22. 5.5.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    23. 5.5.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    24. 5.5.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    25. 5.5.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    26. 5.6 Frozen Desserts & Ice Cream
    27. 5.6.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    28. 5.6.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    29. 5.6.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    30. 5.6.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    6. UK Frozen Food Market, By Distribution Channel, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2031 (Market Value, In USD Mn)
    1. 6.1 Supermarkets & Hypermarkets (Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda)
    2. 6.1.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    3. 6.1.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    4. 6.1.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    5. 6.1.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    6. 6.2 Discount Stores (Aldi, Lidl)
    7. 6.2.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    8. 6.2.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    9. 6.2.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    10. 6.2.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    11. 6.3 Online Grocery (Ocado, Tesco.com, Amazon Fresh)
    12. 6.3.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    13. 6.3.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    14. 6.3.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    15. 6.3.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    16. 6.4 Foodservice Distributors
    17. 6.4.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    18. 6.4.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    19. 6.4.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    20. 6.4.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    21. 6.5 Institutional (Schools, NHS, Contract Caterers)
    22. 6.5.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    23. 6.5.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    24. 6.5.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    25. 6.5.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    7. UK Frozen Food Market, By Consumer Segment, 2019 - 2023 and Forecast, 2024 - 2031 (Market Value, In USD Mn)
    1. 7.1 Budget-Conscious Families
    2. 7.1.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    3. 7.1.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    4. 7.1.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    5. 7.1.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    6. 7.2 Young Urban Professionals
    7. 7.2.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    8. 7.2.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    9. 7.2.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    10. 7.2.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    11. 7.3 Seniors & Health-Focused Buyers
    12. 7.3.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    13. 7.3.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    14. 7.3.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    15. 7.3.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
    16. 7.4 Institutional Buyers
    17. 7.4.1 Market Performance Review & Future Outlook: Assessing 2019 - 2023 and Predicting 2024 - 2031 Trends (USD Millions)
    18. 7.4.2 Annual Market Trend Assessment – Yearly Growth Observation (Y-O-Y)(%)
    19. 7.4.3 Incremental Market Value/Volume Opportunity between 2019 - 2023 and From 2024 to 2031
    20. 7.4.4 Market Shares Analysis in Years - 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2031
  1. 8. UK Frozen Food Market Forecast, By Region, 2019 - 2023 and 2024 - 2031 (Market Value, In USD Mn)
    1. 8.1 UK Frozen Food Market - Opportunity Analysis Index, By Product Type, By Distribution Channel, By Consumer Segment, and Region, 2024 - 2031
  1. 9. Competition Landscape
    1. 9.1 Strategic Dashboard of Top Market Players
    2. 9.2 Company Profiles (Introduction, Financial Assessments, Portfolio of Offerings, Milestones and Achievements, Strategic Initiative, and SWOT Analysis)
      1. 9.2.1 Nomad Foods (Birds Eye)
      2. 9.2.2 Iceland Foods Ltd
      3. 9.2.3 McCain Foods Limited
      4. 9.2.4 Aunt Bessie's
      5. 9.2.5 Unilever
      6. 9.2.6 Nestlé
      7. 9.2.7 Greenyard Frozen UK
      8. 9.2.8 Ardo UK Ltd
      9. 9.2.9 Young's Seafood
  1. 10. Data Collection Method and Research Approach
  1. 11. Principal Presumptions and Acronyms