Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African market for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize expanded from 123.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 127.8 thousand tons by 2020, a period where urbanization, technological progress in storage, and supportive national policies encouraged investment and modernization in the fruit and vegetable sector. Key producing countries like Morocco upgraded greenhouses with hybrid varieties and better irrigation control to boost competitiveness and output.

Market growth accelerated markedly from 2021, with volume reaching 276.2 thousand tons in 2023, more than doubling the 2018 level. This surge was primarily driven by rising demand from the growing African middle class for convenient, quality frozen vegetables, a trend evident in markets such as Algeria. Production capacity kept pace through continued facility upgrades and supply chain improvements.

Regulatory and structural developments further supported the expansion. Initiatives like South Africa's Agricultural Market Access and Marketing Policy aimed to improve market efficiency, while enhanced local sourcing of vegetables and ongoing sector modernization helped sustain the robust growth trajectory through the end of the period.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize, 2017-2020

Africa's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the continent produced 272.0 thousand tonnes, which represents a 17.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 51.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of Africa's frozen vegetable production, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, has also risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 393.9 million US dollars, up by 16.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 51.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.8%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the continent exported 169.1 thousand tonnes, marking a significant increase of 25.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 31.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of Africa's frozen vegetable exports in volume terms was highly diversified. Saudi Arabia accounted for 14.1% of exports, the United Kingdom for 10.3%, and the United States for 9.9%, together making up only 34.3% of total flows. The remaining 65.7% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of Africa's frozen vegetable exports, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 244.9 million US dollars, up by 24.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 31.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 185.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's frozen vegetable exports in value terms relied on a wide range of partner countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 18.5% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 11.8%, and the United States for 8.3%, together representing just 38.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, Africa's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 24.8 thousand tonnes, showing a modest reduction of 9.6% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 27.5 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 5.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, three principal markets—Belgium, China, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 60.2% of Africa's total imports in volume terms of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the continent imported approximately 29.9 million US dollars' worth, which is 11.3% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 36.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Africa's imports of frozen vegetables in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Belgium accounted for 33.1% of imports, China for 9.4%, and France for 5.3%, jointly making up only 47.8% of total flows.

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

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