[Buying U.S. Military MREs] [Buying Civilian MREs] [Buying Foreign MREs] [Buying MRE Parts and Pieces]

Buying Civilian MREs

[January 2026 Update: While the extreme shortages of the early 2020s have subsided, inflation has permanently shifted MRE pricing. Factory-fresh civilian cases currently average **$110 to $135** per case. Reliability has returned to major vendors like MREMarketplace.com and TheReadyStore.com, with most orders shipping within 3-5 business days.]

It’s easier to find civilian MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat) because their commercial sale is not restricted like military MREs.

Why buy civilian MREs? Here’s a breakdown of reasons:

Civilian MREs	Military MREs
Buy from legitimate dealers with guaranteed fresh inspection dates. Temperature-controlled storage (not surplus left in extreme heat). High-quality brands like Meal Kit Supply and Sure-Pak are nearly identical to military specs. Full consumer protection and manufacturer warranties. Consistent supply for emergency preparedness.	Higher calorie counts (approx. 1,250+ per meal). Diverse menu selection (24 different entrees per 2-case set). Includes unique sides, spreads (jalapeño cheese), and drink mixes. Access to specialized items like the First Strike Bar. Collector value for specific menu “white whales.” Authentic heavy-duty military spoons included in every meal.

If you want to buy civilian MREs, you have several choices:

1. Online stores: Check product pages for Meal Kit Supply, Sopakco, and MREStar. Reliable sites include:

Meal Kit Supply (Direct factory sales)
MRE Marketplace (Wide selection of fresh cases)
The Epicenter (Long-time reliable surplus and civilian dealer)
TheReadyStore.com (Frequent stock of APacks and MREStar)

2. Brick and Mortar Stores: Army/Navy Surplus stores remain a good local option, though prices in 2026 often exceed **$140 per case** due to overhead. Check for “Inspection Dates” rather than “Expiration Dates.”

3. eBay: Great for finding specific menus or “low-sodium” deals. **Warning:** Be wary of 2020-2022 era surplus that may have been stored in poor conditions. Always ask the seller for a photo of the TTI (Time Temperature Indicator) on the box.

Reliable Brands:

Meal Kit Supply	Ameriqual APack (Legacy/Limited)	MREStar
Sopakco Sure-Pak 12	Wornick Eversafe (Discontinued)

Buying Foreign MREs

For Canadian IMPs or British 24-hour packs, secondary markets like eBay or MREmountain are your best bet.

Canadian IMPs are increasingly rare. In 2026, a full case of 10 usually sells for **$160–$200**. Individual meals often go for $35–$45 on eBay.

British 24-hour ration packs are highly sought after in the US. Expect to pay **$60–$80 per pack** if buying from a US-based importer, or around £15 plus heavy international shipping if ordering from the UK.

Buying MRE Parts and Pieces

Buying individual entrees is a great way to “taste test” without committing to a full case.

The Epicenter (Individual entrees and sides)
Ammo Can Man (Frequent stock of genuine military singles)
Emergency Essentials (Good for bulk MRE components)

In 2026, a “good deal” for a genuine military entree is **$7–$10**, while rare or popular menus (like Chili Mac) can fetch **$15+**. Aftermarket civilian entrees can still be found for around **$5.00** each.