The meal kit industry is booming, and according to a new report, it's not slowing down any time soon. In 2024, the industry was valued at $25.79 billion, according to the report from Straits Research. By 2033, it is expected to quadruple, reaching a whopping $113.69 billion.Â
The report states that the industry's growth can be credited in part to the ease of meal preparation ease of preparation and cost-effectiveness. Meal kits are often seen as a healthier alternative to dining out and a way to lessen food waste. Â
"Consumers are increasingly becoming health-conscious, for which they are focusing on homemade foods rather than processed foods or to dine out," the report reads.
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A recent CNET survey found that Americans end up wasting an average of $125 a month, or $1,500 each year, on food they purchase in grocery stores that then goes unused. Meal-kit subscriptions, which send boxes of preportioned ingredients plus recipes directly to customers' doors, offer one possible solution to this problem. Â
The key players in the meal kit industry, cited in Straits Research's study, include EveryPlate, HelloFresh, Gobble and Blue Apron.Â
Sesame zucchini lo mein with edamame from HelloFresh.
After rigorous testing, Blue Apron was CNET's No. 1 pick for the best meal kits of 2025. The company's recent update now allows customers to order meals without a subscription, which makes it more appealing to those who don't want a subscription commitment.