Frozen vegetables market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Frozen vegetable production in Eastern Africa grew steadily from 167 thousand tons in 2018 to 264 thousand tons in 2023. The total market volume, however, showed more volatility, peaking at 237 thousand tons in 2022 after a sharp initial expansion. In 2019, the detection of high levels of mercury and lead in vegetables sold in city markets raised food safety concerns among consumers, contributing to a slight contraction in demand.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely disrupted fresh produce supply chains, leading to dumped perishables and transport shortages. This instability increased the reliance on frozen vegetables as a shelf-stable alternative, driving the market volume to 206 thousand tons that year. After a post-pandemic correction in 2021, the market recovered to 237 thousand tons in 2022.

By 2023, a decline in global food prices, including for vegetables, altered cost structures and market conditions. This coincided with a market volume contraction to 217 thousand tons, rounding out a period of significant fluctuation.

Production frozen vegetables in Eastern Africa

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 Eastern Africa has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 215.8 thousand tonnes of frozen vegetables, representing a 28.2% year-on-year growth. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 26.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 166.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 2.2% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Frozen vegetable production in Eastern Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 726.6 million US dollars, marking a significant 54.0% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 64.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 18.1%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, frozen vegetable exports from Eastern Africa declined in 2020. The region exported 24 174 tonnes of frozen vegetables that year, representing a substantial 22.1% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports still showed an overall increase of 6.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.0%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 31 031 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 33.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, frozen vegetable exports from Eastern Africa were distributed across numerous markets. The United Kingdom accounted for 29.8% of exports in volume, France for 5.8%, and the Netherlands for 3.7%. Together, these three markets represented only 39.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of frozen vegetables from Eastern Africa have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 76.671 million US dollars, which is 11.3% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 47.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the principal buyer of frozen vegetables from Eastern Africa, accounting for 57.2% of exports in value terms. The Netherlands followed with 12.2%, and France with 7.2%. Together, these three markets accounted for 76.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of frozen vegetables to Eastern Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 14 197 tonnes, representing an 11.4% year-on-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 26.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 353 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with 36.2% growth.

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

The structure of frozen vegetable imports to Eastern Africa from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of trading partners. South Africa accounted for 9.5% of imports in volume, Belgium for 3.8%, and New Zealand for 1.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 14.8% of total import flows, while the remaining 85.2% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Frozen vegetable deliveries to Eastern Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 18.500 million US dollars, up by 15.5% compared to 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.3%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 11.477 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 42.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with 39.6% growth.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, frozen vegetable imports to Eastern Africa in value terms were characterized by a broad distribution across markets. South Africa accounted for 28.8% of imports in value, Belgium for 10.5%, and New Zealand for 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 46.1% of total import flows.

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

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