Frozen preserved vegetables market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market volume for frozen preserved vegetables in Eastern Asia contracted from 879 thousand tons in 2018 to 630 thousand tons in 2023. This sustained decline was primarily driven by a strong and continuous expansion of exports, which redirected a growing share of production abroad. A key initial driver was a surge in demand from the United Kingdom ahead of its Brexit withdrawal in 2018, establishing a trend of robust external sales to European, Russian, and Asian markets in the following years.

Despite the falling physical volume, the market's value recovered after 2020 and grew to 1.26 billion USD by 2023. This increase in market value was fueled by higher unit prices, partly resulting from extreme weather events and global supply chain volatility which constrained raw vegetable harvests and pushed up input costs in 2021 and 2023. Simultaneously, domestic consumption shifted towards higher-value products like seasoned frozen vegetables and ready-to-heat meals, driven by consumer demand for convenience, health, and plant-based food options.

Technological advancements in ultra-low temperature quick-freezing, vacuum freeze-drying, and fresh-lock packaging improved product quality and shelf life, supporting this premiumization trend. The gradual recovery of the foodservice sector following the pandemic also contributed to more stable demand channels by 2024.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

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

Eastern Asia's production of frozen preserved vegetables has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 235.0 K t, marking a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 5.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest production level was in 2018 at 253.9 K t, which saw a 1.7% increase. However, the largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 5.5% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Asia's production of frozen preserved vegetables has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 387.4 M $ US, representing a significant 11.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 15.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 490.3 M $ US, which saw a 7.0% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of frozen preserved vegetables from Eastern Asia have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 234.0 K t, showing a strong 13.5% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 28.3%, equating to an average annual increase of 8.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, accounting for 11.6% of exports in kind, Asia not elsewhere specified at 4.6%, and Belgium at 3.6% were the largest buyers of frozen preserved vegetables from Eastern Asia. Together, they represented 19.8% of total exports, with many smaller partners making up the rest.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's exports of frozen preserved vegetables have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 386 M $ US, marking a modest 2.1% advance over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 15.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The United States, with 10.1% of exports in value, Asia not elsewhere specified at 4.6%, and Belgium at 2.5% jointly accounted for 17.2% of total flows. The remaining 82.8% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports frozen preserved vegetables to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of frozen preserved vegetables into Eastern Asia have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 723.8 K t, which is 9.2% lower than the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 809.0 K t, which saw a 12.0% increase that year.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States, with 59.7% of imports in kind, Belgium at 9.0%, and the Netherlands at 6.8% consistently led the import structure. Together, they accounted for 75.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Eastern Asia's imports of frozen preserved vegetables declined. In 2020, imports reached 1 062 M $ US, which is 9.4% less than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 4.7%, with an average annual growth of 1.6%. The peak value was in 2019 at 1 172 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 11.7% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States, with 52.2% of imports in value terms, Belgium at 6.4%, and Canada at 4.9% remained the main sources for frozen preserved vegetables imports into Eastern Asia. Together, they accounted for 63.4% of total import flows.

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

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