Frozen preserved vegetables market in Vietnam

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the frozen preserved vegetables market in Vietnam showed significant volatility. Initial growth to 25 616 t in 2019 was driven by rising disposable incomes and increasing demand for convenient products with longer shelf life. However, in 2020 market volume fell by 30% to 17 941 t, coinciding with a decline in exports of fresh and frozen products, which forced producers to shift towards processing. The market recovered to 25 389 t in 2021 due to growing consumer preference for healthy frozen products low in fat and without preservatives.

In the following years, market dynamics were shaped by export activity. In 2022, exports of processed fruits and vegetables exceeded USD 1 billion for the first time, leading to some reduction in domestic supply, and market volume decreased to 24 053 t. This trend continued in 2023, when the market declined to 20 553 t, despite company investments in cold storage technology and the development of cold chain logistics, which improved infrastructure for frozen products.

Key industry changes included the entry of new players such as cold chain provider ABA Cooltrans, as well as the signing of protocols with China in 2024 allowing official exports of frozen durian, opening new opportunities for Vietnamese producers of frozen vegetables and fruits.

Production frozen preserved vegetables in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam ranked as the world's 9th largest producer of frozen preserved vegetables.

Top producers of frozen preserved vegetables, 2017-2020

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

Vietnam's production of frozen preserved vegetables grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 15 500 tonnes, marking a 2.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 32.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Vietnam's production value of frozen preserved vegetables increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 25 534 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant year-on-year gain of 10.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 11.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 21 785 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 4.6%.

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

Exports frozen preserved vegetables from Vietnam

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Vietnam's export volume of frozen preserved vegetables fell in 2020. The export volume reached 21 189 tonnes, representing a 21.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 69.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 26 987 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 52.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan accounted for the majority of Vietnam's exports in volume, capturing 82.1% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among a range of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of expansion, Vietnam's export value of frozen preserved vegetables declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 34 906 thousand US dollars, showing a 15.0% year-on-year reduction. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 43.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 41 083 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 29.9%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Japan held the dominant position in Vietnam's export value, accounting for 83.5% of total flows, with the rest spread across various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports frozen preserved vegetables to Vietnam

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Vietnam's import volume of frozen preserved vegetables dropped in 2020. Imports stood at 23 630 tonnes, indicating a sharp 36.9% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume increased by 47.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.8%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 37 437 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 66.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (62.5% of import volume), the Netherlands (14.6%), and Belgium (14.6%) were the primary sources for Vietnam's imports of frozen preserved vegetables by volume, together making up 91.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increase, Vietnam's import value of frozen preserved vegetables declined in 2020. Imports totaled 24 758 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 36.6% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 37.7%, with an annualized rate of 11.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 39 033 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 48.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (63.1% of import value), Belgium (14.1%), and the Netherlands (14.0%) formed the core group of markets for Vietnam's imports by value, collectively representing 91.2% of total flows.

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

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