Frozen preserved vegetables market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for frozen preserved vegetables in Lebanon experienced a severe contraction from 2018 to 2023, with the total volume dropping from 5 490 tons to 487 tons. The decline began in 2019 and accelerated sharply in 2020 when a profound economic and financial crisis struck. This crisis halted import flows and caused vegetable prices to surge, leading to a collapse in imports from 4 307 tons to 1 702 tons and reducing the available market volume to just 999 tons.

The economic collapse deepened into a food security crisis by 2022, severely limiting purchasing power and consumption. Concurrently, export volumes of frozen vegetables rose significantly, reaching 2 101 tons in 2022, which further drained the domestic market and pushed the total market size down to 675 tons. These intertwined factors of diminished imports, increased outbound shipments, and cratering local demand defined the market's trajectory through this period.

In 2023, the market volume fell further to 487 tons. Security instability disrupted sales movement in vegetable markets and contributed to rising agricultural product prices, suppressing consumption. Amidst this contraction, a significant new supply agreement was finalized, with the Egyptian company Frozita contracting to export 1 200 tons of frozen vegetables to Lebanon in 2024, indicating efforts to secure future import channels.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

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

Lebanon produced 388.1 tonnes of frozen preserved vegetables in 2020, marking a 10.5% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 27.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 10.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 339.7 tonnes, when output dropped by 36.5%—the largest decline during this period. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with production rising by 27.6%.

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

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Exports of frozen preserved vegetables from Lebanon reached their lowest point in 2018 at 161 tonnes, then surged to a peak of 1 090 tonnes in 2020—a dramatic 6.8-fold increase. The 2020 figure represented a massive 459.0% jump compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 50.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania, Jordan, and Canada emerged as the top markets for Lebanon's frozen preserved vegetable exports in volume terms. Romania accounted for 27.5% of exports, Jordan for 16.8%, and Canada for 14.7%. Together, these three countries represented 59.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2019 at 291 thousand US dollars, then climbed to a peak of 991 thousand US dollars in 2020—a 3.4-fold difference. The 2020 value marked a substantial 240.7% increase over the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a drop of 46.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Romania—collectively accounted for 64.2% of the total value of Lebanon's frozen preserved vegetable exports.

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

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

Imports frozen preserved vegetables to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of frozen preserved vegetables declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 865 tonnes, representing a sharp 60.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 71.7%, with an average annual decline rate of 34.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and France dominated Lebanon's frozen preserved vegetable imports in volume terms, consistently making up 84.5% of the total. This high concentration was accompanied by a long tail of smaller supplying markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's imports of frozen preserved vegetables in value terms dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 865 thousand US dollars, a significant 63.6% fall compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 67.5%, with an average annual decline of 31.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands and France were the primary sources for Lebanon's frozen preserved vegetable imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 54.5% of total flows, while France contributed 28.8%. Together, they represented 83.3% of imports, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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