Frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Zambia's production of frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize surged from 7.8 thousand tonnes to 31.8 thousand tonnes, while the total market volume expanded from 8.0 thousand tonnes to 31.8 thousand tonnes. This four-fold increase in domestic output was accompanied by a steady decline in imports, which fell from 183 tonnes to 63 tonnes over the same period.

The market's growth coincided with broader agricultural development initiatives. In 2024, the government approved the Resettlement Policy to transform schemes into production hubs and launched the National Agricultural Mechanisation Strategy for 2024–2028, both aimed at boosting smallholder productivity and reducing post-harvest losses. These measures focus on improving the supply of raw materials for agro-processing, including vegetables destined for freezing.

Production frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia ranked 30th globally in the production volume of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize.

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

Zambia's production of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 16 395 tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 33.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 113.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 28.8%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the primary buyer of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, from Zambia, accounting for 72.2% of total exports in volume. Other trading partners held relatively modest shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the Netherlands represented 72.2% of Zambia's total export value for frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize. The remaining exports were distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables excluding potatoes, legumes and maize to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

Zambia's imports of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports dropped to 116.3 tonnes, a significant decline of 33.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 182.8 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 28.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the dominant supplier of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, to Zambia, capturing 91.5% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Zambia's import value for frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 143.6 thousand US dollars, down 32.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports fell by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 245.3 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 45.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, South Africa remained the dominant and nearly exclusive source for Zambia's imports in value terms of frozen vegetables, excluding potatoes, legumes, and maize, holding a share of 91.3%.

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

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