Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Bangladesh

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the frozen vegetable market in Bangladesh expanded, with volume rising from 3.8 thousand t to 4.4 thousand t. This growth was driven by the entry of new players who increased production capacity and by a consumer shift toward convenient and healthy foods. Government policies supporting crop diversification beyond rice further encouraged vegetable cultivation, while supermarkets and specialized stores widened distribution channels.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted import and distribution networks, causing market volume to drop to 3.4 thousand t. However, the crisis highlighted the value of frozen foods for their longer shelf life during lockdowns. By 2021, the market stabilized around 3.4 thousand t as new companies entered, bringing advanced processing and cold-chain monitoring technologies that enhanced efficiency and product quality.

Technological transformation and policy adjustments facilitated recovery from 2022 onward. Market volume grew to 3.5 thousand t in 2022 and then surged by over 55% to 5.4 thousand t in 2023. This sharp rise was supported by increased investment in cold storage infrastructure and government initiatives to modernize agriculture, which boosted supply and met growing demand from urban consumers.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Bangladesh

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

Bangladesh's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 6 054 tons, marking a significant increase of 24.4% from the previous year. However, by 2020, output fell to 4 865 tons, representing a sharp decline of 19.6% compared to 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Bangladesh

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Bangladesh's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, totaled 1 652 tons, down 7.7% year-on-year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 091 tons, reflecting a decline of 15.6% from the previous year. Exports then surged in 2019 to 1 789 tons, the highest level during this period, with a substantial increase of 64.0%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 27.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and the United States were the dominant destinations for Bangladesh's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, jointly accounting for 80.9% of total export volumes. Other markets contributed smaller individual shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bangladesh's export value of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 3 730 thousand US dollars, up 23.8% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 985 thousand US dollars, which represented a decline of 9.6% from the previous year. In 2019, exports saw a significant rise of 51.7%, reaching their peak. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 69.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and the United States formed the core markets for Bangladesh's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 62.2% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 16.0%, and the United States for 13.0%, together representing 91.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Bangladesh

Imports in kind, t

Bangladesh's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, showed high volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at just 5 tons, a sharp drop of 70.7% from the previous year. They then skyrocketed in 2019 by 1,938.3%, reaching a peak. By 2020, imports stood at 228 tons, marking a steep increase of 138.3% year-on-year. The fluctuation between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018 was dramatic, with a 49-fold difference.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and Thailand were the primary suppliers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to Bangladesh, together accounting for 93.1% of total import volumes. Other sources each held relatively minor shares during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bangladesh's import value of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, exhibited irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. In 2018, the value fell to its lowest point at 6 thousand US dollars, a decline of 87.0% from the previous year. It then surged in 2019 to 101 thousand US dollars, the highest level, with an increase of 1,520.3%. By 2020, imports contracted to 81 thousand US dollars, down 19.7% year-on-year. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018 was substantial, with a 16-fold gap.

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

In 2017-2020, Thailand, India, and the United States were the largest suppliers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to Bangladesh in value terms. Thailand accounted for 48.0% of imports, India for 27.6%, and the United States for 17.3%, together making up 92.9% of total import flows.

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

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