Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for frozen vegetables in Western Asia experienced notable shifts. Initial agricultural challenges, including water scarcity and land degradation, posed constraints on the sector. After a market contraction to 150 thousand tons in 2019, volume rebounded sharply to 181 thousand tons in 2020. This recovery was primarily driven by increased female workforce participation in the region, which boosted demand for convenient frozen meal solutions as consumers sought to save time on cooking.

Market volume then dipped to 153 thousand tons in 2021. The subsequent growth to 183 thousand tons in 2022 was fueled by a rising consumer focus on healthy diets, which significantly increased the consumption of frozen vegetables across the Asia-Pacific region. By 2023, the market settled at 169 thousand tons, partially influenced by supply chain disruptions related to seasonality and logistical constraints that affected product availability and the supply-demand balance.

Throughout the period, the frozen vegetables sector was also shaped by strong export activity, particularly from Egypt, which saw steady growth in export value. Moving towards 2024, the industry continued to evolve with the implementation of new food safety and packaging regulations in major Asian markets and a marked shift in consumer preference towards ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat frozen products, spurring innovation in freezing technology and packaging.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Western Asia

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

Western Asia's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 152.7 K t, marking a 24.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 33.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, in Western Asia reached 240.4 M $ US, up 12.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 14.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019, at 0.9%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia exported 54 769 t of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, showing a strong 11.0% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7.2%, with an annualized rate of 2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 49 341 t, which also saw the largest decline of 8.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in kind were spread across many partner countries. The United States (21.8% of exports in kind), Germany (13.5%), and the United Kingdom (12.8%) together accounted for 48.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Asia exported 86.2 M $ US of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 86.0 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 96.3 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The United States (20.9% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (11.1%), and Germany (10.3%) combined for 42.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Asia's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, reached 83 540 t, a modest 8.7% rise year-over-year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 76 843 t, and the highest was in 2018 at 95 863 t. The largest decline was in 2019 at 19.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 16.2%.

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

During 2017-2020, Egypt (35.6% of imports in kind), Belgium (29.2%), and China (5.8%) formed the main cluster for imports in kind, together making up 70.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Asia's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 103.7 M $ US, a strong 10.7% advance from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 93.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 7.4%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Egypt (37.0% of imports in value terms), Belgium (21.8%), and Spain (6.2%) contributed the most to imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 65.0% of total flows.

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

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