Frozen preserved vegetables market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen preserved vegetables market in ASEAN expanded from 443 thousand tons in 2018 to 495 thousand tons in 2019, driven by Vietnam's strong export growth and increased investment in processing facilities. Vietnamese companies focused on traceability, planting area codes, and deep processing to improve product quality for international markets, which boosted production and imports. However, in 2020, market volume dropped to 434 thousand tons as COVID-19 pandemic disruptions affected import supply chains, even though consumer demand for convenient frozen options rose.

Market volume recovered to 476 thousand tons in 2021 and surged to 542 thousand tons in 2022, supported by improved global supply chains and adoption of advanced freezing technologies like IQF. Government policies in Vietnam expanded cultivation areas with farming codes, enhancing quality control for exports, while rising health consciousness and plant-based diets increased consumer demand for frozen vegetables. In 2023, the market stabilized at 540 thousand tons as major companies automated production and new players entered with plant-based frozen products, maintaining high consumption levels.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

ASEAN's production of frozen preserved vegetables has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 77 856 tonnes, marking a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 6.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

ASEAN's exports of frozen preserved vegetables have also increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes reached 36.0 thousand tonnes, showing a significant rise of 22.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 41.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Japan was the primary destination for ASEAN's frozen preserved vegetable exports, accounting for 68.4% of the volume. Belgium followed with 3.4%, and Australia with 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented 74.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ASEAN's frozen preserved vegetable exports were valued at 78.4 million US dollars, up by 46.3% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 53.6 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 80.4 million US dollars. The most notable decline was in 2019, when exports fell by 33.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan remained the top buyer of frozen preserved vegetables from ASEAN in value terms, holding 71.8% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen preserved vegetables to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, ASEAN's imports of frozen preserved vegetables declined. In 2020, imports totaled 391.7 thousand tonnes, down by 12.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 446.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the leading supplier of frozen preserved vegetables to ASEAN, contributing 42.2% of import volume. The Netherlands accounted for 19.0%, and Belgium for 18.4%. Collectively, these three countries made up 79.6% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, ASEAN's imports of frozen preserved vegetables decreased. In 2020, import value stood at 425.1 million US dollars, reflecting a 16.2% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 7.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak value was in 2019 at 507.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the United States dominated ASEAN's frozen preserved vegetable imports in value terms, with a 47.0% share. The Netherlands followed at 16.6%, and Belgium at 15.6%. Together, these three sources accounted for 79.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020