Prepared meals imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
The United States imported $66.5 million of prepared meals in 2024 (16.8 thousand tonnes). It ranks 1st of 216 countries for imports of this product. That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 26% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $66.5M | 16.8K t |
| 2023 | $65.7M | 15.1K t |
| 2022 | $54.0M | 13.6K t |
| 2021 | $48.9M | 12.4K t |
| 2020 | $53.4M | 12.6K t |
| 2019 | $41.4M | 9.4K t |
| 2018 | $35.7M | 8.0K t |
| 2017 | $13.0M | 2.9K t |
Where the United States imports prepared meals from
Chile alone supplied 69% of it. Among the main suppliers, Colombia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chile | $45.8M | 69% |
| Canada | $5.3M | 8% |
| Colombia | $4.4M | 6.6% |
| Mexico | $3.3M | 4.9% |
| Italy | $1.9M | 2.9% |
| Poland | $1.9M | 2.8% |
| Thailand | $1.7M | 2.6% |
| United Kingdom | $467K | 0.7% |
| Israel | $358K | 0.5% |
| Guatemala | $341K | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.95 per kg, close to the world average of $3.76.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Prepared meals exports from the United States
In 2024, the United States exported prepared meals worth $17.7 million (4.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. The largest buyer markets were Canada (34%), El Salvador (11%), Qatar (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Dominican Republic grew fastest (+53% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $6.0M | 34% |
| El Salvador | $2.0M | 11% |
| Qatar | $1.8M | 10% |
| Panama | $1.2M | 7% |
| Philippines | $868K | 4.9% |
| Cayman Isds | $735K | 4.2% |
| Burkina Faso | $685K | 3.9% |
| Honduras | $570K | 3.2% |
| Dominican Republic | $523K | 3% |
| Liberia | $370K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2104.20: Homogenised composite food preparations.
Common questions
What is the value of prepared meals imported by the United States?
The United States imported prepared meals worth $66.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 16.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 216 countries worldwide, with 10% of world imports. The value was up 1% on 2023.
Which countries supply prepared meals to the United States?
Chile was the largest supplier with 69% of the value ($45.8 million), followed by Canada (8%) and Colombia (7%). The top three together account for 83%, out of 49 supplier countries in total. Israel grew fastest among the top ten, up 94% on the year.
What is the average import price of prepared meals per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.95 per kg in 2024, 5% above the world average of $3.76 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of prepared meals to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $13.0 million in 2017 to $66.5 million in 2024, an increase of 412%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does the United States also export prepared meals?
Yes. The United States exported $17.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Canada, El Salvador and Qatar. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $48.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for prepared meals?
The HS code for prepared meals is subheading 2104.20. It sits in HS chapter 21 (miscellaneous edible preparations). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2104 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United States with shipment-level records, updated weekly, so you can see importers and exporters by name with dates, quantities and declared values. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
More trade data for the United States
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