Frozen preserved vegetables market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for frozen preserved vegetables in SADC grew considerably between 2018 and 2023, with total volume rising from 34 554 t to 62 450 t. This expansion was marked by strong volatility: a 30% increase in 2019 was followed by a 5% dip in 2020, then a 57% surge in 2021. After a 10% contraction in 2022, the market stabilized and grew by 4% in 2023.

In 2024, the market environment was influenced by load shedding in South Africa, which increased consumer reliance on frozen foods for their convenience and longer shelf life. At the same time, a growing consumer preference for plant-based and vegan diets provided underlying support for demand, while advancements in flash-freezing technology helped improve product quality and trust.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

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

SADC's production of frozen preserved vegetables has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 2 987 tonnes, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 22.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The export market for frozen preserved vegetables from SADC showed significant volatility during this period. In 2018, exports peaked at 10 024 tonnes, but then fell sharply to a low of 301 tonnes in 2019—a decline of 97.0% from the previous year. By 2020, exports rebounded to 507 tonnes, representing a substantial 68.4% increase compared to 2019. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 33 between the highest and lowest points.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the primary destination for SADC's frozen preserved vegetable exports, accounting for 1.8% of the total volume shipped.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of frozen preserved vegetable exports from SADC reached 13 262 thousand US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 17.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 14 116 thousand US dollars, which was a 24.7% increase from the prior year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with export value dropping by 6.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, France, and Germany emerged as the key markets for SADC's frozen preserved vegetable exports in value terms. Australia accounted for 3.1% of the total export value, France for 0.7%, and Germany for 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 4.4% of the overall export flows.

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

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

Imports frozen preserved vegetables to SADC

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of frozen preserved vegetables into SADC declined in 2020. The region imported 40 070 tonnes that year, down 6.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 26.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 42 647 tonnes, following a significant 33.4% increase in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands were the largest sources of frozen preserved vegetable imports into SADC by volume. Belgium contributed 46.8% of the total imports, Germany 6.8%, and the Netherlands 6.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 60.3% of all imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of frozen preserved vegetables into SADC declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The total import value that year was 42 550 thousand US dollars, an 8.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 2.8%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 0.9%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 49 630 thousand US dollars, which represented a 19.9% increase from the previous year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany played notable roles as suppliers of frozen preserved vegetables to SADC in value terms. Belgium accounted for 36.7% of the total import value, the Netherlands for 6.9%, and Germany for 4.8%. However, their combined share of 48.3% indicates that they were not dominant in the market.

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

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