Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Chinese market for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize more than halved in volume, falling from 558 thousand tons to 223 thousand tons. In value terms, the contraction was equally pronounced, declining from 573 million US dollars to 244 million US dollars over the same six-year period.

This market shrinkage occurred alongside a steady increase in exports, which grew from 912 thousand tons to 1 121 thousand tons. Domestic production saw a gradual decline from 1 467 thousand tons to 1 342 thousand tons, while import volumes remained minimal throughout, never exceeding 3 thousand tons annually.

The market's path was not uniform, experiencing a sharp initial drop in 2019, a partial recovery in 2021, and then a renewed decline leading to the low point in 2023.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, China was the leading producer of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from 2017 to 2020.

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

China's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 358 K t, a slight decrease of 2.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 5.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.0%. The highest production level was in 2018 at 1 467 K t, which saw a 1.7% increase. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of this output was 1 352 M $ US, marking a 2.4% contraction compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 10.9%, with an average annual rate of decline of 3.8%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from China

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, China's export volume of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, decreased in 2020. Exports totaled 971.7 K t, down 1.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 11.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 984.2 K t, which saw the largest increase of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from China were South Korea, accounting for 35.0% of exports in kind, Japan at 29.3%, and the United States at 10.2%. Together, these three countries made up 74.5% of China's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of rising values, the export volume of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from China fell in 2020. The export value amounted to 967.1 M $ US, a decline of 1.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports increased by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 984.0 M $ US, which experienced the largest increase of 5.0%.

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

In terms of value from 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for China's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, were Japan, representing 41.0% of export value, South Korea at 24.2%, and the United States at 8.4%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 73.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to China

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China imported 1.3 K t of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, a sharp contraction of 40.5% from the previous year. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 3.1 K t, which saw the largest increase of 159.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to China were spread across various markets. The United States led with 22.6% of imports, followed by the United Kingdom at 17.9%, and New Zealand at 8.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 49.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.5-fold difference. In 2020, the import value of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, into China was 1.1 M $ US, representing a sudden loss of 48.7% year-on-year. The highest value was in 2018 at 2.7 M $ US, which recorded the largest increase of 70.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States was the leading supplier of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to China in value terms, with 25.2% of imports. The United Kingdom followed at 21.3%, and New Zealand at 13.3%. These three countries together accounted for 59.8% of total import value.

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

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