Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for frozen vegetables in Moldova was shaped by the presence of state-owned companies and agricultural cooperatives supporting local output, though imports from neighboring Romania remained dominant. Consumer preferences began shifting toward convenient and healthy options, laying the groundwork for growth, with the market reaching 1 165 t in 2019. The subsequent drop to 1 090 t in 2020 was influenced by supply-chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which constrained production and imports despite heightened demand for long-shelf-life products.

From 2021 onward, the market expanded steadily, reaching 1 474 t by 2023. This growth was fueled by consistently high imports from Romania, a sharp decline in exports, and rising consumer interest in organic and eco-friendly products. In 2022, local producers adopted recyclable packaging and sustainability initiatives, aligning with demand for convenient, healthy choices. The year 2023 saw the highest market volume on record, driven by a production surge above 1 000 t and sustained import levels.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Moldova

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

Moldova's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 961 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 877 tonnes, marking an 8.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, at 9.1%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Moldova's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, totalled 86.8 tonnes, representing a significant 18.2% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 57.6%, with an average annual decline of 24.9%. The largest decrease was recorded in 2018, at 53.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus and Russia were the two leading markets for Moldova's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, together accounting for 83.9% of total export volume. The remaining 16.1% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.2 times. In 2020, exports reached 59.9 thousand US dollars, a sharp contraction of 50.5% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, at 52.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 96.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Russia, Belarus, and the United States were the three largest markets for Moldova's exports in value terms, together accounting for 94.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Moldova's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 309.9 tonnes, but by 2020 they had fallen to 299.9 tonnes, a 3.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 25.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The largest year-on-year increase was in 2019, at 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland remained the leading supplier of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to Moldova, accounting for 71.8% of total import volume. The remaining 28.2% was spread across many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Moldova's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached [value_last_year] thousand US dollars, indicating a slight rise of 2.8% relative to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 40.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.0%.

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

In 2017-2020, Poland dominated Moldova's imports in value terms, accounting for 73.0% of total flows, while the remaining share was split among various smaller destinations.

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

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