14.05.2025
Where to find MREs in Escape from Tarkov?
Few meals are as sought-after by Tarkov PMCs as MREs. To someone unfamiliar with Escape from Tarkov, it might sound like MREs are some kind of rare culinary delight – but it's hard to say if that guess is accurate, since few players know what they actually taste like (have you ever asked your EFT character about their food preferences anyway?).
What many players do know – and wish they didn't – is the pain of trying to find those MREs. At some point you'll need a handful of them for a quest – and finding them turns out to be more of a challenge than most unprepared players expect. In this short but detailed guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about Tarkov MREs, where to find them, and why they matter. Let's get right into it!
🤔 What are MREs?
MREs are ration packs – that is, packaged food meant for survival in the wild or on the battlefield. If you've ever wondered what MRE stands for, it's "Meal, Ready to Eat". The name suggests that they are used by English speakers - and Tarkov isn't known for many English-speaking natives (the city is supposed to be in Russia, after all!).
That reasoning will lead any experienced EFT player to the correct conclusion that MREs are mainly used by USEC operators, the Western-aligned faction. Naturally, it's their camps (and pockets) where you'll likely find your first ration of this kind.
MREs give you a substantial energy boost. If your character is starving and you have a couple of such rations in your backpack, go ahead and munch on them. They aren't very heavy (about 700 grams) and occupy just 1x2 grids in the inventory.
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🍔 Why do you need MREs?
Despite being decent sources of energy, MREs aren't among the best picks for satisfying your PMC's hunger. The biggest drawback is their scarcity compared to most alternatives. The community's favorite snacks all drop from enemies much more frequently. After all, the best meal in Tarkov is the one you got for free.
So why bother learning about MREs then? Most likely you already know the answer: you're tasked with bringing 5 of them to Peackeeper in the quest Humanitarian Supplies. Many players are puzzled about where to find them, as they finish all the other objectives of the quest much sooner than they get the required quantity of the rations. But don't worry – we'll tell you more about how to obtain them quickly in the next section.
Before we move on to that, however, let us tell you about one more use MREs have: trading. Jaeger (Level 2) will gladly accept 1 MRE (along with 3 Iskra ration packs and 1 used Factory exit key) and give you a Factory emergency exit key in return. This key is quite valuable and is required in several quests: Therapist's "Health care privacy – Part 6" and Fence's "Is tis a reference?". You can also open certain locks with it, gaining access to bonus loot areas and several extraction options.
🧭 Where to find MREs in EFT?
Most players get frustrated with the quest Humanitarian Supplies, because finding five MREs quickly can be a challenge. For some reason, there's a common misconception that the MREs must be found in raids rather than bought. That's not true: Peacekeeper will accept your MREs even if you've purchased them off the Flea Market, as there's no limitation on their source.
However, if you'd rather find them yourself, here are some of the best Tarkov MRE spawn locations recommended by the community:
- Shoreline – Health Resort: This is arguably the best place to look for MREs for the Humanitarian Supplies quest, especially since it already sends you to complete objectives in the area. If you want to complete all the objectives at once, however, you should bear in mind that you have to wear a particular type of gear there – a UN uniform – which offers little protection. And of course, the Health Resort is swarming with hostiles. To minimize risk, some players suggest equipping a long-range weapon and shooting Scavs from the third floor of the Resort building. This lets you get plenty of loot while staying safe.
- Reserve – Food Storage: It's another great spot to find MREs. In fact, it's worth exploring any food-related areas you come across, as they often have containers filled with all kinds of rations.
- Woods – USEC Camp: As mentioned earlier, where there are USEC operators, there are MREs. Their camp on the Woods map is known for having plenty of containers with a high chance of spawning an MRE. Don't overlook other USEC areas, either. Keep an eye out for duffle bags, black square crates, and boxes with green blankets over the top.
Here's a little video guide on how to complete Humanitarian Supplies, if you're stuck on it:
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Now that you know how MREs work in Escape from Tarkov, it's clear that they're easier to obtain than many people think! Still, there are plenty of obstacles that can get in the way: maybe your PMC hasn't unlocked the Flea Market yet, or you don't have enough Roubles to buy MREs from it when they're available.
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