Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen vegetables market volume in Eastern Asia started at 1 300 thousand tons in 2018, supported by government policies focusing on cold chain development and product innovation incentives. However, the market fell to 1 005 thousand tons in 2019 as export volumes grew and the domestic market became saturated. It stabilized at 1 009 thousand tons in 2020 with the adoption of individual quick freezing (IQF) technology and accelerated construction of cold storage and logistics infrastructure.

Growth resumed in 2021, reaching 1 097 thousand tons, driven by the entry of thousands of new players into the prepared dish sector and the first clear policy definition of this sector. In 2022, stricter food safety standards and growing consumer recognition of the nutritional value of frozen vegetables pushed the volume to 1 197 thousand tons. The market continued to expand in 2023, hitting 1 345 thousand tons, thanks to rising domestic sales and widespread adoption of new processing technologies.

In 2024, the industry saw the release of a national standard for frozen vegetables, specifying terminology, packaging, transportation, and storage requirements, along with further policy measures to support the vegetable industry.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Eastern Asia

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

Eastern Asia's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 358 K t, showing a slight reduction of 2.0% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 467 K t. In 2019, production saw its largest drop of 5.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 1.7% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, the production value of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, in Eastern Asia increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 640 M $ US, showing no significant change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 632 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 9.4%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, exports totaled 802.7 K t, down by 4.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 9.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 837.9 K t, which also recorded the largest increase of 9.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country breakdown of exports in kind was scattered. The United States accounted for 10.2% of exports, the United Kingdom for 4.5%, and Russia for 2.2%. Together, these three countries made up just 16.9% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year rise, the value of frozen vegetable exports, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 969.5 M $ US, indicating a small decrease of 1.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 5.7%, with an annualized rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 986.6 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 5.1%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom played notable roles as buyers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from Eastern Asia. The United States accounted for 8.5% of exports in value terms, Italy for 3.6%, and the United Kingdom for 3.0%. However, their combined share reached only 15.0% of total exports, indicating that no single country was dominant.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, into Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 453.5 K t, showing a slight loss of 0.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 598.0 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 5.9%. In 2019, imports experienced the largest decline of 23.6%.

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

The partner structure for imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Ecuador accounted for 3.6% of imports, Vietnam for 3.1%, and the United States for 1.3%. Together, these three countries made up only 8.1% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Asia's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 922.7 M $ US, marking a slight increase of 1.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador, Vietnam, and the United States formed the largest group of suppliers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to Eastern Asia in value terms. Ecuador accounted for 6.6% of imports, Vietnam for 3.1%, and the United States for 2.4%. Their combined contribution was limited to 12.0% of total imports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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