Frozen preserved vegetables market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for frozen preserved vegetables in Eastern Africa showed notable volatility between 2018 and 2024. Starting at 14,269 tonnes in 2018, market volume dipped the following year before recovering to nearly 15,000 tonnes in 2020. Domestic production grew steadily from 648 tonnes to 960 tonnes over the same initial period, while import levels fluctuated.

A pronounced contraction began in 2022, with market volume falling to 12,882 tonnes and then collapsing to 6,614 tonnes in 2023. This sharp decline was primarily due to a steep drop in imports, which more than halved. Concurrently, government measures in Tanzania, including tax relief for packing and grading technology, strengthened the horticulture export sector, contributing to a significant rise in frozen vegetable exports to 1,760 tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, trade flows shifted again as imports rebounded strongly to 15,634 tonnes while exports fell back. Broader regional developments, such as increased agricultural budget allocations in Tanzania and the rollout of digital farmer registration systems in Uganda, focused on improving productivity and market access for fresh produce, which could influence future market dynamics.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

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

Eastern Africa's production of frozen preserved vegetables has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 870.0 tonnes, marking a 7.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 36.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with the highest volume being 5.1 times greater than the lowest. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 91 tonnes of frozen preserved vegetables, a sharp year-on-year decline of 43.9%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 163 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 136.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (30.9% of exports in kind), France (24.8% of exports in kind), and Bahrain (6.0% of exports in kind) consistently held the top positions in the country structure of exports in kind, collectively accounting for 61.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Export values varied significantly, with the low in 2020 being 4.4 times lower than the high in 2018. In 2020, Eastern Africa's exports of frozen preserved vegetables were valued at 119 thousand US dollars, a sharp contraction of 53.9% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 527 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in the same year with a 250.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, France (30.7% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (22.4% of exports in value terms), and Oman (16.7% of exports in value terms) together accounted for 69.8% of total exports in value terms, serving as the main destinations for frozen preserved vegetables from Eastern Africa.

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

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

Imports frozen preserved vegetables to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, imports of frozen preserved vegetables into Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, import volume reached 14 159 tonnes, a 12.7% advance from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.7%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 562 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 10.8% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (22.9% of imports in kind), Belgium (22.4% of imports in kind), and the Netherlands (17.1% of imports in kind) consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 62.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Eastern Africa's imports of frozen preserved vegetables totalled 16 387 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 1.8% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 17 181 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 6.3% and the largest increase in 2018 at 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets — South Africa, Belgium, and the Netherlands — together absorbed 59.6% of total imports in value terms of frozen preserved vegetables to Eastern Africa.

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

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