COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Sonae consolidates leadership through its Continente brand
Sonae, through its private label brand Continente, remained the leading company in meals and soups in 2025. As the country’s largest retailer, Sonae benefits from its extensive store network, wide product portfolio, and reputation for good value for money.
Lidl stands out as the most dynamic player in 2025
Lidl & Cia was the most dynamic company in 2025, expanding its product range and accessibility through the opening of new urban stores. The retailer has successfully positioned its soups, salads, and chilled ready meals as practical and affordable solutions for consumers seeking quick lunches or light dinners.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Meals and Soups industry in Portugal with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Meals and Soups industry in Portugal, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Meals and Soups in Portugal report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Meals and Soups in Portugal?
- Which are the leading brands in Meals and Soups in Portugal?
- How are products distributed in Meals and Soups in Portugal?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Meals and Soups?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in Portugal?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Meals and Soups in Portugal - Category analysis
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Retailers drive growth by expanding range of ready meals
Ready meals gain momentum as consumers seek quick and affordable options
Private label brands strengthen their position through quality and variety
Category expected to continue growing as convenience remains a key driver
Health-conscious innovation shapes new product development
Sustainability and cultural adaptation gain importance
Sonae consolidates leadership through its Continente brand
Lidl stands out as the most dynamic player in 2025
Supermarkets remain the leading channel for meals and soups
E-commerce and frozen meals continue to gain traction
Cooking Ingredients and Meals in Portugal - Industry Overview
Widening product range in many areas supports growth
KEY DATA FINDINGS
Convenience remains a key driver as consumers seek time-saving solutions
Growing demand for affordable, traditional meal options
Health and naturalness continue to shape consumer preferences
Price sensitivity influences purchasing behaviour
Steady forecast growth with stronger focus on affordability and value
Convenience and meal solutions to lead category development
Sustainability and innovation to remain central themes
Sonae maintains category leadership through private label strength
Unilever sustains a strong branded portfolio and marketing investment
Nueva Pescanova emerges as the most dynamic player
Private label gains visibility and trust
Supermarkets remain dominant, supported by expansion and promotions
E-commerce drives dynamism through convenience and alignment with in-store offers
Foodservice supported by tourism but constrained by price sensitivity
COUNTRY REPORTS DISCLAIMER
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Meals and Soups
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- Dried Ready Meals
- Shelf Stable Ready Meals
- Chilled Ready Meals
- Frozen Ready Meals
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- Dry Soup
- Shelf Stable Soup
- Chilled Soup
- Frozen Soup
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- Chilled Pizza
- Frozen Pizza
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- Meal Kits
- Quick Recipe Kits
- Chilled Lunch Kits
- Prepared Salads
Meals and Soups
This is the aggregation of ready meals, pizza, food kits, prepared salads, and soup. Includes: These are products that have had recipe 'skills' added to them by the manufacturer, resulting in a high degree of readiness, completion and convenience. Food kits is an exception where typically the extent of preparation is much shorter than other meal products; includes meal kits where consumers are to put together pre-portioned ingredients and cook with the guidance of recipe cards. Ready meals are generally accepted to be complete meals that require few or no extra ingredients. However, in the case of shelf stable ready meals, the term also encompasses meal 'centres’; for food kits, they do require a degree of cooking and preparation. As such, some meals may require cooking (ready-to-cook); others may simply need reheating, prior to serving (ready-to-eat). Excludes: Any products sold unpackaged and/or by weight, including food sold from a retail deli counter.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Meals and Soups research and analysis database.
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