Frozen vegetables market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Argentine frozen vegetables market expanded steadily, with production rising from 197.4 thousand tons to 257.9 thousand tons and market volume reaching 263.6 thousand tons. This growth was initially constrained by the strong preference for fresh vegetables in domestic consumption, with less than 10% of national production being processed or exported. However, opportunities emerged from increasing health awareness and a shift toward convenient food options. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly boosted demand for frozen vegetables as consumers sought longer-lasting and easy-to-prepare foods. New players like Fubao Food Company entered the market with locally produced Asian frozen meals, diversifying the product range and stimulating competition.

After peaking in 2021, market volume dipped slightly in 2022 to 255.5 thousand tons and then fell sharply to 211.5 thousand tons in 2023. Despite this decline in volume, the broader frozen food sector reported growth, driven by urban lifestyles favoring convenience and the expansion of supermarket channels. Per capita consumption of frozen foods remained low at around 2 kg annually, limited by inadequate access to freezers in lower-income households. Major companies like McCain dominated specific segments like pre-fried potatoes, but the overall market for frozen vegetables contracted. In 2024, advancements in cold-treated exports, such as blueberries to the United States, pointed to ongoing internationalization, while rising prices for fresh produce highlighted cost pressures that could affect frozen vegetable affordability.

Production frozen vegetables in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina was among the world's top producers of frozen vegetables from 2017 to 2020, ranking 9th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

Argentina's frozen vegetable production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 251.2 thousand tons, an increase of 11.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 197.4 thousand tons, which represented a decline of 6.4% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, when production jumped by 14.3%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Argentina's frozen vegetable exports totaled 162 tons, representing a significant decrease of 79.3% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Canada, and the United States were the primary destinations for Argentina's frozen vegetable exports by volume. Brazil accounted for 41.9% of exports, Canada for 26.8%, and the United States for 18.0%. Together, these three countries represented 86.7% of Argentina's total frozen vegetable export volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Argentina's frozen vegetable exports were valued at 164 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 86.9% from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Canada, and the United States were the most significant markets for Argentina's frozen vegetable exports by value. Brazil contributed 38.7% of export value, Canada 28.8%, and the United States 20.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 87.8% of Argentina's total frozen vegetable export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

Argentina's frozen vegetable imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 4 008 tons, showing a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 27.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Spain, and Poland were consistently the main sources of Argentina's frozen vegetable imports by volume. Belgium supplied 59.8% of imports, Spain 18.6%, and Poland 10.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 88.7% of Argentina's total frozen vegetable import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Argentina's frozen vegetable import value increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 4 188 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate year-over-year advance of 4.1%. Between 2017 and 2020, however, import value decreased by 19.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 021 thousand US dollars, which represented a decline of 19.1% from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Belgium, Spain, and Poland played the leading roles in Argentina's frozen vegetable imports by value. Belgium accounted for 58.7% of import value, Spain for 20.9%, and Poland for 8.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 87.6% of Argentina's total frozen vegetable import value during this period.

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

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