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

Earlier Report Observations

The Western European market for frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize began the period at USD 1 369 million in 2018. It declined to USD 1 242 million in 2019, then rebounded to USD 1 290 million in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic spurred a surge in at-home consumption, particularly in France where frozen vegetable volume sales rose by 8.5%.

A sharp expansion to USD 1 656 million occurred in 2021. However, inflation pressured household budgets in 2022, leading consumers to buy fewer processed vegetables and pushing the market value down to USD 1 304 million despite higher unit prices. The market recovered to USD 1 607 million in 2023, supported by steady demand for convenient meal solutions and a 3.7% growth in the prepared frozen vegetable segment in Italy.

Entering 2024, the market environment continued to be shaped by consumer preference for healthy, practical options, the persistent effect of inflation, and evolving European sustainability regulations, with mixed signals across major national markets such as France, Italy, and Germany.

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

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

Following two consecutive years of decline, Western Europe's production of frozen vegetables—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—rebounded in 2020. That year, output reached 568.5 thousand tonnes, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 1.4%. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 20.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.5%. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 560.4 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 16.8% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year downturn, the value of frozen vegetable production in Western Europe—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—rose in 2020. Output was valued at 912 million US dollars, representing a significant 11.6% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, however, production value declined by 23.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 8.5%. The minimum value was observed in 2019 at 817 million US dollars, with the largest decline taking place in 2018 at 25.4%.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's exports of frozen vegetables—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Export volume stood at 901 thousand tonnes, down 6.9% from the previous year. Despite this recent drop, exports increased by 5.2% over the 2017–2020 period, averaging a 1.7% annual growth rate. The peak was reached in 2018 at 971 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's exports of frozen vegetables—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 10.1% of export volume, Italy for 5.3%, and the United States for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 19.0% of total export flows, highlighting the fragmented nature of the market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of frozen vegetable exports from Western Europe—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—rose to 1 446 million US dollars, up 2.5% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 410 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 2.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States emerged as the top buyers of frozen vegetables—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—from Western Europe in value terms. The United Kingdom contributed 10.4% of export value, Italy 5.0%, and the United States 4.2%. However, their combined share was limited to 19.5% of total exports, reflecting a highly diversified country structure.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe's imports of frozen vegetables—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—totaled 729 thousand tonnes, an 18.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 18.2%, averaging an annual decline of 6.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 898 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%.

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

The partner structure for imports in volume terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Spain accounted for 16.0% of import volume, Poland for 11.8%, and Portugal for 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 33.0% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe imported frozen vegetables—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—valued at 1 485 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 0.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value grew by 3.9%, averaging an annual rate of 1.3%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 1 485 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 4.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's imports of frozen vegetables—excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize—in value terms relied on a broad array of partner countries. Spain accounted for 15.9% of import value, Poland for 8.1%, and China for 5.3%. Together, these three countries made up just 29.3% of total flows, underscoring the diversified sourcing strategy.

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

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