In Russia there are more people willing to sell ready-made food

As of October 1, there were 2,710 prepared food producers in Russia, which is 10 percent more than in the same period a year earlier. About this with reference to calculations of the service “Contour. Focus" Vedomosti reports.

In the food industry segment, the category showed the most significant growth. Next come producers of cocoa, chocolate and sugar products (plus 7.9 percent, 2,737 companies), as well as producers of crackers, cookies and shelf-stable cakes (plus 7.1 percent, up to 3,637 companies).

According to NTech, in the first half of 2026 the market volume reached 426 billion rubles, which is 23 percent more than a year earlier. Against this background, retail chains are actively increasing purchases of such products, looking for partner sites and developing their production.

As Mikhail Lachugin, an independent consultant for retail chain suppliers, notes, the demand for ready-made food is growing even against the backdrop of a general reduction in consumer spending.

General Director of Infoline Analytics Mikhail Burmistrov expects further development of the segment, since it is relatively saturated only in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In addition, most enterprises operate with a low level of automation, which increases production costs, so large manufacturers have potential for development.

According to Lachugin, double-digit growth rates will continue in the coming years, and an increasing proportion of citizens will switch to a hybrid food format, including both ready-made meals and products that can be used at home.