Frozen preserved vegetables market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the frozen preserved vegetable market in Russia was shaped by several key developments. Technological improvements in production and growing consumer interest in healthy lifestyles supported domestic output and demand. However, the market size declined from 146.7 thousand t in 2018 to 140.4 thousand t in 2019, partly due to rising exports and falling imports. The situation worsened in 2020 when the exit of foreign companies, such as the Polish producer Hortex, combined with macroeconomic instability and a sharp drop in demand from the HoReCa sector, drove the market down to 105.4 thousand t.

A swift recovery followed in 2021, with imports rebounding to 139.5 thousand t and lifting the market size to 141.6 thousand t, underscoring the market's import dependency. In 2022, despite reports of weakened consumer demand and temporary procurement cuts by food processors and HoReCa, import volumes remained high at 147.3 thousand t, pushing the market to its peak of 149.3 thousand t. Government actions and competitive pressures also influenced pricing and market conditions during this period.

The market contracted sharply in 2023 to 103.1 thousand t. High product prices and persistent macroeconomic instability weighed on household incomes and demand. At the same time, exports of frozen vegetable mixes, which had been growing since 2019, surged to 6.9 thousand t, reducing domestic availability. This combination of factors returned the market volume close to its 2020 level.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, production of frozen preserved vegetables in the CIS reached its peak at 3 715 tonnes. However, in 2020, output declined to 3 440 tonnes, marking a 7.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.5%, which translates to an average annual increase of 3.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 812 tonnes, when output fell by 10.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant growth, with production surging by 32.1%.

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

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from CIS

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, exports of frozen preserved vegetables from the CIS to foreign markets declined in 2020. Shipments fell to 1.0 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp year-over-year drop of 23.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports still increased by 11.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.6%. The highest export volume was achieved in 2019 at 1.3 thousand tonnes, following the largest annual increase of 24.5% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Georgia, and Israel consistently led the country structure of exports in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 6.6% of total exports, Georgia for 2.3%, and Israel for 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented 9.9% of all export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of frozen preserved vegetables from the CIS in value terms grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 7.1 million US dollars. This represented a 3.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, export value surged by 156.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 36.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of frozen preserved vegetables from the CIS in value terms were widely distributed across various markets. Ukraine held the largest share at 8.2%, followed by Georgia at 1.9% and Israel at 0.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 11.0% of total export value, indicating a diverse market spread.

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

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

Imports frozen preserved vegetables to CIS

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of frozen preserved vegetables into the CIS declined for the second year in a row in 2020, dropping to 103.0 thousand tonnes. This represented a substantial year-over-year contraction of 25.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import volume decreased by 27.7%, with an average annual decline of 10.2%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 145.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw a modest increase of 1.8% that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and France were the key partners for imports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 37.3% of imports, Poland for 30.0%, and France for 9.6%. Together, these three countries made up 76.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of frozen preserved vegetables into the CIS in value terms fell for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 101.7 million US dollars. This marked a solid decline of 23.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 22.3%, averaging an annualized rate of decline of 8.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 138.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 6.0% that year.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Poland, and France accounted for the largest shares of imports in value terms. The Netherlands led with 37.5%, followed by Poland at 26.8% and France at 10.3%. Collectively, these three partners comprised 74.5% of total import value flows.

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

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