Frozen in Focus

Europe’s food system is changing – and frozen food has a bigger role to play than ever before

Frozen in Focus is Nomad Foods’ flagship report into the role frozen food plays in the lives of European consumers and the broader food system that serves them.

This second edition moves the conversation beyond consumer habits and perceptions to examine frozen food’s contribution to three of the most pressing challenges in food today: better choices, reducing waste, and the move to more resilient food systems.

Each chapter is underpinned by original consumer polling conducted across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Croatia and Sweden in spring 2026, alongside desk research and data analysis.

The report makes a clear case: frozen food is not a compromise – it is a practical, evidence-backed solution to improving affordability, reducing waste and strengthening food system resilience.

Frozen in Focus 2026

A new Europe-wide report showing how frozen food can help households cut waste, stretch budgets, access good food more reliably and build a more resilient food system.

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What the report explores

Better food, better choices

How frozen food can lock in nutrition and quality, helping people build balanced meals quickly and confidently.

Good food made accessible

Frozen food offers predictable value, flexibility and portion control – helping people eat well within real life constraints.

Securing tomorrow’s plate

Frozen food is a proven part of resilience and food security: it smooths seasonality, provides a buffer against disruption, and helps maintain continuity of supply.

Key Insights

€624/£539

can be saved annually by households through better freezer use

50 %

of European households throw away fresh vegetables monthly

42 %

never throw away frozen vegetables

51 %

turn to the freezer before takeaways when short on time

29 %

of people are using their freezer more now than they did 5 years ago.

138 %

increase in the price of whitefish over the past 20 years

-5 %

decline in at-home fresh fish consumption

526 million

tonnes of food is lost globally each year due to insufficient refrigeration

“Frozen food remains underrepresented in many of the debates and policy discussions shaping the future of food – whether that is around nutrition, access, or food system resilience.

This year’s Frozen in Focus is intended to address that. The report sets out a clear picture of how frozen food provides access to high quality, tasty food; how it helps households navigate everyday pressures; and how it contributes to a more resilient and secure food system.”

Dominic Brisby
Chief Executive Officer, Nomad Foods

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Related information

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