Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for frozen vegetables in Spain surged in 2022 and 2023, reaching 144.8 thousand tons in 2023 compared to 97.8 thousand tons in 2022 and 70.0 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was largely driven by increased domestic consumption, as inflation and rising prices for fresh produce made frozen vegetables a more economical alternative for consumers. Additionally, in December 2022, Real Decreto 1021/2022 came into force, tightening labeling requirements, including mandatory disclosure of freezing dates and expiration dates, which enhanced transparency for consumers.

Production, however, declined in 2022 and 2023 due to extremely adverse climatic conditions, including severe drought that damaged crops. Rising costs for energy and fertilizers also pressured producers. Despite this, major market players such as Grupo Virto, Congelados de Navarra, and Gelagri Ibérica continued to invest in expanding production capacity to meet growing demand.

In the earlier period from 2018 to 2021, market volume showed moderate growth with some fluctuations. In 2020, regulatory changes (Real Decreto 558/2020) affected industry regulations, setting new deadlines for investment plans and operational activities.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Spain ranked as the third-largest producer of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from 2017 to 2020.

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

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. From 2017 to 2019, production varied significantly, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 5.1 times. In 2019, output peaked at 509.0 thousand tons. By 2020, production in Spain reached 505.0 thousand tons of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, marking a slight decline of 0.8% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 386.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's production value of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 565.1 million US dollars, showing an advance of 1.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 415.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 72.7%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of improvement, Spain's exports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 519.5 thousand tons. By 2020, they reached 512.7 thousand tons, constituting a small decline of 1.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 7.9%, with an annualized rate of 2.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's exports in kind of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, were not heavily concentrated. France accounted for 26.3% of exports, Belgium for 11.7%, and the United Kingdom for 11.7%, together capturing only 49.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain exported 573.7 million US dollars worth of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, constituting a rise of 0.9% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 584.7 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 11.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, with 24.2% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom at 13.1%, and Germany at 11.9%, were among the largest buyers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from Spain. However, even together, they represented just 49.2% of total exports in value terms, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's import volume of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 68.6 thousand tons, constituting a limited decrease of 9.6% over the past year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belgium, with 28.5% of imports in kind, France at 21.4%, and the Netherlands at 15.5%, formed the core of imports, together taking 65.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of frozen vegetable imports, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, into Spain declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 91.4 million US dollars, which is 2.8% weaker year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, with 20.4% of imports in value terms, France at 16.4%, and China at 14.2%, continued to be the main suppliers of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to Spain, jointly forming 51.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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