Frozen vegetables market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian frozen vegetables market volume stood at 607.9 thousand tonnes in 2020, supported by a post-pandemic recovery in the out-of-home channel that boosted frozen food sales after restaurant closures. The following year, market volume dipped to 578.9 thousand tonnes as consumption patterns normalized, although overall frozen food consumption continued to grow by 2%, led by large retailers and discount chains.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2022, with market volume jumping to 699.5 thousand tonnes. This surge was fueled by a 17% volume growth across the entire frozen food sector, accompanied by the entry of new players like Almaverde, Garbo and Appetais, which intensified competition and broadened product availability. Simultaneously, rising energy costs posed challenges for production and storage infrastructure.

Market volume stabilized at 692.0 thousand tonnes in 2023, a year in which total frozen product consumption hit a historic record and demand for prepared vegetables rose by 3.7%. In 2024, volume climbed markedly to 839.5 thousand tonnes, underpinned by reported growth in frozen vegetable consumption and producers' investments in eco-friendly packaging to meet sustainability demands.

Production frozen vegetables in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's output of frozen vegetables was valued at 769.4 million US dollars, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked 10th globally in the production of frozen vegetables.

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 401.4 thousand tonnes of frozen vegetables, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of frozen vegetables grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 56.2 thousand tonnes, marking a significant increase of 17.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 28.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 8.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 39.3 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 10.5%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 22.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and the United States were the top buyers of frozen vegetables from Italy, accounting for 27.6%, 18.4%, and 12.4% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, they represented 58.4% of Italy's total frozen vegetable exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's frozen vegetable export value increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 105.6 million US dollars, up 15.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 22.8%, with an annualized rate of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Germany were the leading destinations for Italy's frozen vegetable exports in value terms, with shares of 27.9%, 18.5%, and 14.6%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 61.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's imports of frozen vegetables totaled 262.8 thousand tonnes, an 8.2% decrease from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 262.6 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 286.2 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 9.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Belgium, France, and Spain were the primary sources for Italy's frozen vegetable imports by volume, contributing 27.8%, 16.2%, and 14.2%, respectively. Together, they made up 58.1% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's frozen vegetable import value declined. In 2020, imports stood at 299.4 million US dollars, down 2.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 7.2%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 2.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 306.0 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 7.9% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's import structure in value terms was relatively balanced rather than concentrated. Belgium, Spain, and China were key partners, accounting for 23.0%, 13.9%, and 11.8% of import value, respectively. Together, they represented 48.8% of total imports, with many other countries making up the remaining 51.2%.

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

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