fresh-cut and ready-to-eat food products

Fourth-range (IV range) products are fresh fruit and vegetables that undergo minimal processing after harvest to ensure food safety and preserve their quality, in accordance with good manufacturing practices. They are washed, cut, packaged, and ready to eat, with the cold chain maintained throughout the entire production and distribution process. These products combine freshness with convenience, meeting consumer demand for healthy, natural, ready-to-use foods. Their main advantages include time savings, low calorie content, high levels of dietary fiber and minerals, antioxidant properties, and ease of consumption.

Fifth-range (V range) products are fruit and vegetable products that have been fully processed, cooked, and packaged, making them ready for immediate consumption. Unlike fresh or minimally processed produce, they require no further preparation. Typical examples include vegetable purées and fresh ready-to-eat soups. Production involves washing, cutting, cooking (e.g., boiling, steaming, or grilling), and packaging under vacuum or modified atmosphere to preserve quality, nutritional value, and shelf life. These products offer a practical and balanced solution for consumers seeking convenient ready-to-eat meals.

In numbers

The performance of fresh-cut and ready-to-eat food products was particularly noteworthy. In 2025, volumes increased from 239,111 to 241,684 tonnes (+1.1%), while value rose from €1,545.4 million to €1,572.8 million, representing an increase of 1.8%.

THE WHOLE SECTOR IN NUMBERS

In 2025, the plant-based products sector recorded a slight decline in volume (-0.8%), offset by a 0.8% increase in value, confirming the sector’s ability to enhance its offering through quality, convenience, and longer shelf life.