Frozen vegetables market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the frozen vegetables market in India was energized by advancing urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and a growing consumer preference for convenience. The adoption of Individual Quick Freezing (IQF) technology enhanced the retention of flavor, texture, and nutrients, while the expansion of cold chain infrastructure broadened distribution. Major companies increased their retail focus and introduced products catering to local tastes. However, market volume contracted in 2019 and 2020, reaching a low of 2 117 thousand tons in 2020.

The market rebounded in 2021 and continued growing through 2022 and 2023, reaching 2 800 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by the entry of new players offering regional and health-oriented variants, alongside improvements in frozen vegetable quality preservation technology. Government policies strengthening food safety oversight and promoting exports supported market expansion. The growth of online sales channels also enhanced product accessibility for consumers.

In value terms, the market followed a similar trajectory but experienced a sharp decline to 7 669 million $ in 2023 despite the volume growth, indicating shifting price pressures or product mix. Tightening packaging and labeling regulations, alongside rising demand for sustainable packaging and plant-based products, served as additional shaping forces during this period.

Production frozen vegetables in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

Frozen vegetable production in Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Asia produced 2 271 K t of frozen vegetables, representing an 11.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 571 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's frozen vegetable production value also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 930 M $ US, reflecting a significant decrease of 11.4% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value dropped by 13.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 3 413 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 0.8%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Asia exported 1 168 K t of frozen vegetables in 2020, marking a 7.5% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13%, with an annualized rate of 4.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 1.8%.

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

The country composition of Asia's frozen vegetable exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. The United States accounted for 10.9% of exports, the United Kingdom for 4.2%, and Russia for 2.3%, together forming just 17.4% of total flows. The remaining 82.6% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Asia's frozen vegetable exports were valued at 1 507 M $ US, showing a modest increase of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 401 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 4.6%.

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

The structure of Asia's frozen vegetable exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. The United States represented 10.8% of exports, the United Kingdom 3.4%, and Italy 2.7%, jointly accounting for only 16.9% of total flows. The remaining 83.1% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Frozen vegetable imports into Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 014 K t, representing a slight decrease of 0.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 12.4%, with an annualized rate of 4.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 214 K t, which saw the largest annual increase of 4.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 15.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for Asia's frozen vegetable imports in kind was quite broad. The United States accounted for 8.6% of imports, Belgium for 4.0%, and Egypt for 3.1%, together representing only 15.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Imported frozen vegetable volumes in Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Asia imported frozen vegetables valued at 1 726 M $ US, equivalent to a 2.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%.

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

The partner structure of Asia's frozen vegetable imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. The United States accounted for 10.3% of imports, Asia (not elsewhere specified) for 4.6%, and Belgium for 3.6%, together making up only 18.5% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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