Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European market for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize saw a notable expansion in 2019, with volume rising to 1 896 thousand tons. This growth was driven by sustained consumer demand for convenient and healthy products, a trend highlighted across the region. Production in key areas like Navarre, Spain, which accounted for 37% of national output, supported this increase. However, market volume dipped to 1 831 thousand tons in 2020 as the relocation of processed vegetable production away from Europe began to affect competition and supply.

After a sharp contraction to 1 256 thousand tons in 2021, the market stabilized around 1 280 thousand tons in 2022. A clear recovery followed in 2023, with volume reaching 1 532 thousand tons. This rebound was fueled by increased consumer uptake of frozen vegetables, particularly in France where 74% of consumers reported using them, reflecting a steady rise in acceptance since 2020.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Europe

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

In 2020, Europe produced 1 569 K t of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 650 K t, with the largest annual increase of 14.9% occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline of 5.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Frozen vegetable production in Europe, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 320 M $ US, marking a substantial year-on-year rise of 11.1%. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 44.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Europe's export volume of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 776 K t, down 8.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 19.7%, equating to an annualized decrease of 7.0%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 115 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 15.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 23.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. The United States accounted for 3.8% of exports in kind, Canada for 0.9%, and Australia for 0.7%, together making up just 5.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, frozen vegetable shipments from Europe, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, amounted to 2 629 M $ US, showing a slight uptick of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6.5%, with a CAGR of 2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 674 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 8.3%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, there was no single dominant market for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize in value terms. The United States represented 4.5% of exports, Switzerland 1.2%, and Canada 0.9%, together accounting for only 6.5% of total export value. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's imports of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize reached 1 037 K t, down 12.2% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.1%, with an annualized rate of decline of 5.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 968 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 21.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase of 22.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, China was the leading source for imports in kind, accounting for 7.2% of the total, followed by Turkey at 1.2% and Egypt at 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented 9.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe's import value of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 2 626 M $ US, a decrease of 1.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 2 695 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.9%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe imported frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize from numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—China, Turkey, and Egypt—together accounted for only 11.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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