Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize expanded by 3% to 293.7 thousand tons, primarily driven by rising consumer interest in healthy eating and convenient meal solutions. The development of the food service industry and the introduction of new product segments like vegetable mixes for fast food further stimulated demand. However, in 2020, the market contracted to 275.6 thousand tons as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted food service channels and the exit of the Polish frozen food producer Hortex led to a temporary reduction in purchases by commercial buyers.

Market volume stabilized in 2021 at 276.5 thousand tons, as ongoing logistics disruptions and rising raw material costs offset recovering demand. A sharp decline to 221.8 thousand tons occurred in 2022, exacerbated by the continued absence of Hortex and severe supply chain constraints that drastically reduced import availability. The market rebounded strongly in 2023, growing by 21% to 268.0 thousand tons, as rising prices for fresh vegetables and fruits made frozen alternatives more attractive, boosting domestic consumption and redirecting supply from export to the local market.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

Following two consecutive years of decline, production of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) showed an increase. In 2020, the region produced 413.7 K t, marking a slight 0.7% rise from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 19%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 6.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 410.9 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with an 11.1% decline.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

For the second year in a row, the value of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, output was valued at 405.9 M $ US, down 2.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The highest value was seen in 2018 at 434.5 M $ US. The most significant decline took place in 2019 with a 4.2% drop, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 372.3 K t, reflecting a modest 2.7% decrease from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 timeframe, exports actually grew by 5.3%, averaging an annualized increase of 1.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 415.2 K t. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a 7.9% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were exported to a wide range of countries. Even the top three destinations—Germany, France, and Belgium—combined accounted for just 39.1% of total exports in volume terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 365.3 M $ US, showing a moderate 5.7% decrease from 2019. Despite this recent dip, exports increased by 23.9% over the 2017-2020 period, with an annualized growth rate of 7.4%. The highest export value was in 2018 at 397.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase at 34.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were traded with numerous countries. The leading destinations in value terms—Germany, France, and Italy—together represented only 36.2% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, import volumes of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, imports totaled 234.2 K t, a substantial 11.7% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 16.4%, averaging an annualized increase of 5.2%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 265.3 K t, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 22.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were spread across many markets. The top three sources—China (18.8% of imports in volume), Belgium (14.6%), and the Netherlands (5.9%)—combined accounted for just 39.3% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increases, the value of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 259.1 M $ US, indicating a significant 10.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.1%, with an annualized rate of 3.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 289.1 M $ US, and the largest increase happened in 2018 at 17.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

An analysis of import values from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. The top three sources—China (18.7% of imports in value), Belgium (13.2%), and the Netherlands (5.9%)—together made up only 37.7% of total imports, with the remaining 62.3% coming from other trading partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020