Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The Lebanese market for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize contracted significantly from 2 903 tonnes in 2018 to 1 542 tonnes in 2023, a reduction of 47%. The most pronounced declines occurred in 2020 and 2021, when market volume fell by 26% and 26% respectively, followed by a 47% recovery in 2022 before another 31% drop in 2023.

Domestic production remained relatively stable throughout the period, ranging from 758 tonnes to 887 tonnes. In contrast, import volumes, which constitute the largest component of market supply, fell sharply from 3 224 tonnes in 2018 to 1 856 tonnes in 2023. Export figures also varied, peaking at 1 500 tonnes in 2022.

The market's partial rebound in 2022 was driven by a temporary increase in imports to 2 882 tonnes, while the subsequent decline in 2023 coincided with a drop in import volumes and stable production levels.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Lebanon

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

Lebanon produced 829 tonnes of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, in 2020, marking a modest year-on-year decrease of 6.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 23.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 5.3%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 14.6-fold variation between these extremes. In 2020, Lebanon's deliveries of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, totalled 1 415 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 43.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, at 14.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 1 102.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar served as the primary and nearly exclusive market for Lebanon's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, accounting for 94.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's export value of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 698 thousand US dollars, up by 44.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 2 191.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 184.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, the partner base for exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with Qatar alone responsible for 95.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 2 642 tonnes, down by 9.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.7%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018, at 3 224 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 9.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 9.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Egypt and Belgium remained the key partner countries for imports in kind, with a combined share of 82.9% of total flows; other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's import value of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 3 465 thousand US dollars, representing a robust fall of 16.0% compared with 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018, at 4 367 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in the same year, at 16.4%.

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

In 2017-2020, two markets—Egypt and Belgium—played the leading roles in imports in value terms, together taking 83.0% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among other destinations.

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

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