The global soups and broths market continues to expand steadily, reflecting evolving consumer lifestyles, dietary preferences, and health awareness. Valued at USD 9.6 billion in 2023, the market is projected to reach USD 13.97 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2024 to 2030. This growth highlights the increasing role of convenient, nutritious, and versatile meal solutions in modern diets worldwide.
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Industry Overview
Soups and broths represent a foundational category within the global food industry, encompassing products such as canned soups, packaged broths, dehydrated mixes, and ready-to-eat options. These offerings cater to diverse dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low-fat diets, making them accessible to a wide consumer base.
Manufacturers are actively innovating with new flavors inspired by global cuisines, premium ingredients, and functional nutrition benefits. The category’s versatility allows it to appeal to both health-conscious individuals and busy consumers seeking quick meal solutions. As a result, soups and broths remain a staple pantry item across cultures.
Key Market Drivers
1. Health and Wellness Trends
Consumers increasingly prioritize foods made with natural ingredients, reduced sodium, and balanced nutrition. Soups and broths fit this demand, offering light yet satisfying meal options with perceived health benefits. Aging populations, in particular, favor soups because they are easy to digest and require minimal chewing.
2. Demand for Convenience Foods
Fast-paced lifestyles have boosted the popularity of ready-to-eat meals. Soups and broths provide a quick, easy-to-prepare option that aligns perfectly with modern consumption habits. Their long shelf life also makes them a practical household staple.
3. Growth of E-Commerce
Online grocery shopping has expanded product accessibility, allowing consumers to explore a wider range of brands, flavors, and specialty options. Digital platforms have become a key distribution channel, accelerating market growth globally.
Market Challenges
Despite positive momentum, the industry faces several obstacles:
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Preference for Fresh Foods: Some consumers perceive packaged soups as less nutritious or flavorful than freshly prepared alternatives.
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Ingredient Cost Volatility: Fluctuations in prices of vegetables, meat, spices, and packaging materials can affect profitability.
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Quality Perception: Manufacturers must continuously improve taste, texture, and nutritional value to maintain consumer trust.
Addressing these challenges requires innovation, transparent labeling, and improved formulations that combine convenience with freshness.
Impact of COVID-19
During the early pandemic period, soups and broths experienced a surge in demand as consumers stocked up on shelf-stable foods. Lockdowns, restaurant closures, and heightened hygiene awareness encouraged home cooking and boosted sales of canned and packaged products. E-commerce sales also rose sharply.
However, the industry faced operational difficulties, including labor shortages, production slowdowns, and supply chain disruptions. Despite these temporary setbacks, the pandemic ultimately reinforced soups’ position as a reliable and convenient staple food.
Segmentation Insights
By Type
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Canned Soups (largest segment)
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Packaged Broths
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Dehydrated Mixes
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Ready-to-Eat Soups (fastest growing)
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Chilled/Fresh Soups
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Dairy-Based Soups
Canned soups dominate due to affordability, long shelf life, and wide flavor variety, while ready-to-eat options are gaining traction as convenience becomes a priority.
By Ingredient Type
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Vegetable-Based (largest share)
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Meat-Based
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Seafood
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Plant-Based/Vegan (fastest growing)
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Gluten-Free
The rapid growth of plant-based diets is accelerating demand for vegan soup products worldwide.
By Distribution Channel
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Supermarkets (largest share)
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Convenience Stores
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Online Retail (fastest growing)
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Others
Supermarkets remain dominant due to product variety and accessibility, while online retail is expanding rapidly thanks to convenience and home delivery.
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Regional Insights
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North America leads the global market, supported by strong demand for convenient and health-oriented foods.
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Europe maintains a robust market driven by diverse culinary traditions and premium product demand.
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Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, fueled by urbanization, rising incomes, and popularity of instant soups such as ramen and miso varieties.
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South America and Middle East & Africa show strong potential as traditional soup-based cuisines gain commercial packaging and export traction.
Competitive Landscape
Major food manufacturers are investing in product innovation, clean-label ingredients, and global flavor portfolios to stay competitive. Key players include:
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Campbell Soup Company
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The Kraft Heinz Company
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Nestlé S.A.
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Unilever
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Conagra Brands, Inc.
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General Mills, Inc.
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Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd.
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Amy’s Kitchen, Inc.
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Hain Celestial Group, Inc.
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Pacific Foods of Oregon, LLC
These companies are expanding their portfolios with organic, plant-based, and functional soup products to capture changing consumer preferences.
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Future Outlook
The soups and broths market is expected to maintain steady growth as consumers seek convenient yet nutritious meal options. Innovation in flavors, packaging, and ingredient transparency will be crucial in sustaining demand. With rising global interest in health, wellness, and plant-based diets, soups and broths are poised to remain a core segment of the packaged food industry.
