Frozen vegetables market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen vegetables market in MENA experienced fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2021, with the physical market size ranging from 314 to 370 thousand tons. In value terms, the market showed gradual growth, reaching $689 million in 2020 before a slight dip to $670 million in 2021.

A major expansion occurred in 2022, with market volume surging by 53% to 481 thousand tons and value jumping 49% to $1.0 billion. This leap was supported by rising regional and global demand, fueled by the expansion of distribution channels like e-commerce and a shift in consumer preferences toward convenient meal solutions. Concurrent investments in modern irrigation and freezing technology improved crop quality and processing capacity, boosting domestic production.

In 2023, while market volume edged down to 458 thousand tons, the market's value rose by 10% to exceed $1.1 billion. This shift toward higher-value sales was facilitated by continued investment in rapid-freezing techniques, which enhanced product quality and allowed producers to meet demand for premium frozen vegetable products.

Production frozen vegetables in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, frozen vegetable production in the MENA region declined. In 2020, production reached 270.1 thousand tons, marking a gradual decrease of 4.7% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 18.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.9%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 283.4 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 18.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Frozen vegetable production in the MENA region grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 653.4 million US dollars, representing an increase of 10.5% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%.

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

Exports frozen vegetables from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, frozen vegetable exports from the MENA region totaled 138.3 thousand tons, down by 19.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 111.0 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 171.7 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 22.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 54.7%.

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

The export structure for frozen vegetables in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with no single country dominating. The United States accounted for 11.3% of exports, Italy for 5.2%, and France for 5.2%, together making up only 21.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Frozen vegetable export values from the MENA region increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 246.5 million US dollars, up by 18.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 14.3%, with an annualized rate of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 203.7 million US dollars, and the largest decline that year was 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for frozen vegetables from the MENA region was broad. The United States contributed 12.2% of export value, Italy 5.7%, and France 5.3%, together accounting for only 23.3% of total exports, while many other countries held smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Imports frozen vegetables to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, frozen vegetable imports into the MENA region stood at 212.3 thousand tons, showing relative stability compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.7%, with an annualized decline of 0.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 211.3 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 3.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 0.6%.

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

The import structure in kind from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of partners. Belgium accounted for 21.9% of imports, Spain for 12.3%, and India for 5.6%, together making up only 39.8% of total flows, with the remaining 60.2% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Frozen vegetable import values into the MENA region rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 282.6 million US dollars, a controlled increase of 6.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 252.6 million US dollars, and the largest decline that year was 2.2%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports in value terms of frozen vegetables to the MENA region were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Belgium accounted for 20.0% of imports, Spain for 12.7%, and the United States for 4.8%, together contributing only 37.6% of total flows.

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

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