Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen vegetable market in Northern Europe showed notable volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 425.7 thousand tons in 2018, consumption dipped to 410.8 thousand tons in 2019. A recovery to 417.6 thousand tons followed in 2020, coinciding with an increased supply and variety of both domestic and imported agricultural products. This expansion in availability, alongside rising import prices due to currency weakening, supported overall market volume growth that year.

Market volume then contracted to 392.6 thousand tons in 2021 before gradually rebounding to 402.0 thousand tons in 2022 and 412.0 thousand tons in 2023. The growth in 2023 occurred alongside heightened focus on the nutritional value of frozen vegetables, evidenced by a Danish study profiling 16 different vegetable types, which likely stimulated consumer interest. The presence of significant producers like Finnamyl Oy and Kasvis-Kartano Oy also indicated a competitive and active supply side. In value terms, the market saw a sharp rise to 552.2 million USD in 2023, reflecting broader inflationary pressures on food prices.

Entering 2024, several underlying trends shaped the market environment. New national nutrition recommendations in Finland emphasized legume consumption, part of a broader shift toward plant-based diets, while sustained consumer interest in sustainability and convenience continued to drive demand. Economic factors, including inflation, made frozen vegetables an attractive affordable option. Industry practices evolved, with companies like Findus deepening collaboration with local farmers to secure supply, and regulatory updates on labeling emphasized health and environmental benefits. Furthermore, the expansion of online grocery sales improved market access and convenience for consumers.

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

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

Northern Europe's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5 139 tonnes, which represents a slight decrease of 0.7% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 51%, translating to an annualized decline rate of 21.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, the value of Northern Europe's frozen vegetable production, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, saw a modest increase. In 2020, output was valued at 8 595 thousand US dollars, up by 2.7% from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value dropped by 51.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 368 thousand US dollars, which also saw the sharpest decline of 52.6%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe exported 26.3 thousand tonnes of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, marking a decrease of 6.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 12%, with an annualized decline rate of 4.2%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 8.8%, while 2019 saw a slight increase of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, key buyers of Northern Europe's frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, included Belgium, France, and Italy, accounting for 10.1%, 9.0%, and 2.3% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 21.4% of total exports, with the remaining 78.6% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 44.0 million US dollars, down by 3.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 12.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 51.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the sharpest drop of 11.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Northern Europe's frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, were exported to a wide range of markets. Even the top destinations—France, Belgium, and Italy—collectively accounted for only 22.5% of total export value, highlighting the diversity of the export structure.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe imported 433.9 thousand tonnes of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, which was 1.1% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports showed variability: the lowest volume was in 2019 at 433.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 2.2% that year, while the highest volume was in 2018 at 443.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the biggest increase of 1.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to Northern Europe were Belgium, Poland, and Spain, contributing 33.8%, 14.2%, and 13.7% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 61.7% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value totaled 495.5 million US dollars, down by 0.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 520.2 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 9.1%, while 2019 saw the steepest decline of 3.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading suppliers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to Northern Europe in value terms were Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands, with shares of 30.4%, 14.6%, and 11.4%, respectively. Combined, these three countries made up 56.4% of total import value.

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

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