Frozen preserved vegetables market in Serbia

Earlier Report Observations

The Serbian frozen preserved vegetables market expanded from 30 899 t in 2018 to a peak of 39 605 t in 2020. This growth was supported by increased domestic vegetable production and processing capacity, alongside rising consumer interest in convenient ready-made frozen vegetable meals. The sector also benefited from growing export opportunities for Serbian vegetables, which encouraged overall industry activity.

From 2021, the market entered a contraction phase, falling to 31 383 t by 2023. The implementation of new food labeling regulations in April 2022 introduced additional compliance requirements for producers, coinciding with a sharp drop in domestic output. While imports of frozen vegetables rose and consumer preferences continued to favor healthy, practical options, these factors were insufficient to offset the decline in local production, leading to a smaller total market volume.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in Serbia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Serbia was among the world's leading producers of frozen preserved vegetables from 2017 to 2020, ranking 6th globally by production volume.

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Serbia produced 20 333 tons of frozen preserved vegetables, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.6%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 14 258 tons, which marked the largest decline of 32.4% compared to the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 43.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of frozen preserved vegetables in Serbia was valued at 14 131 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest decrease of 4.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 11%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 656 thousand US dollars, which represented the largest decline of 24.2%. The highest value occurred in 2019 at 14 840 thousand US dollars, marking the largest increase of 53.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Serbia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from Serbia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for frozen preserved vegetables from Serbia showed an unstable trend during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 1 057 tons and peaked in 2017, with a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports totaled 1 459 tons, indicating a controlled rise of 4.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 73.3%, while 2019 saw the largest increase of 32.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of frozen preserved vegetables from Serbia in terms of volume were Romania (37.9% of exports), Hungary (35.2% of exports), and Montenegro (12.4% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 85.6% of Serbia's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market in value terms exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports peaked in 2017 and bottomed in 2018, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Serbia exported frozen preserved vegetables worth 1 014 thousand US dollars, showing little to no change from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 716 thousand US dollars, which marked the largest decline of 70.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 42.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Serbia's exports of frozen preserved vegetables in value terms were Romania (32.1% of exports), Hungary (30.7% of exports), and Montenegro (15.0% of exports). Collectively, these three countries represented 77.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports frozen preserved vegetables to Serbia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of frozen preserved vegetables into Serbia increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 20 732 tons, which was a 5.0% uptick from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 76.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading suppliers of frozen preserved vegetables to Serbia in terms of volume were Belgium (44.8% of imports), Poland (24.5% of imports), and the Netherlands (18.5% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 87.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, imports of frozen preserved vegetables into Serbia declined in 2020, totaling 16 804 thousand US dollars, which was a 2.0% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 69%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 140 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 47.0% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top suppliers of frozen preserved vegetables to Serbia in value terms were Belgium (40.4% of imports), Poland (28.6% of imports), and the Netherlands (17.6% of imports). These three countries consistently held leading positions and jointly accounted for 86.6% of total import flows.

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

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