Frozen vegetables market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

Production of frozen vegetables in New Zealand experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Initial high output in 2018 was supported by rising demand for prepared frozen vegetables and the introduction of automated operations. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 increased consumer demand for convenient frozen options, helping to stabilize production after a 2019 dip. A recovery in 2021 was driven by higher export prices and consumption growth, but production dropped again in 2022 amid new country-of-origin labeling rules and significant vegetable price increases. Market volume jumped in 2023 as exports fell, despite ongoing pressure from cheap imports and Wattie's decision to reduce local vegetable sourcing.

Regulatory reforms in 2024 and 2025 aimed to bolster the vegetable industry, including amendments to land use policies allowing greenhouses on highly productive land and the renewal of commodity levies for grower funding. However, import competition and Wattie's continued reduction in domestic sourcing challenged local producers. Advancements in freezing technology and strong consumer preference for healthy, convenient frozen vegetables continued to shape the market, alongside new organic standards and updated import health standards.

Production frozen vegetables in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

New Zealand ranked as the world's 13th largest producer of frozen vegetables from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2018-2021

New Zealand's frozen vegetable production grew for the second year in a row in 2021, reaching 146 798 tonnes, a 13.0% increase year-over-year. However, over the full 2018-2021 period, production declined by 5.4%, averaging a 1.8% annual decrease. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 126 823 tonnes, which saw the steepest drop of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of frozen vegetable production in New Zealand rose for the second consecutive year in 2021, totaling 179.9 million US dollars, a 15.1% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value fell by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 150.9 million US dollars, marking the largest decline of 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports frozen vegetables from New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

New Zealand's frozen vegetable exports increased for the third straight year in 2021, reaching 84 565 tonnes, a strong 10.8% rise from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 19.8%, with a CAGR of 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia, China, and Japan were the top destinations for New Zealand's frozen vegetable exports by volume, accounting for 45.3%, 25.1%, and 13.0% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 83.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Frozen vegetable exports from New Zealand grew for the third consecutive year in 2021, with a value of 103.6 million US dollars, up 12.9% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, export value increased by 18%, averaging a 5.7% annual growth rate.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018-2021, Australia, China, and Japan were the leading markets for New Zealand's frozen vegetable exports by value, with shares of 43.8%, 20.3%, and 17.7%, respectively. Combined, they represented 81.8% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports frozen vegetables to New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, New Zealand's frozen vegetable imports rose in 2021, reaching 13 676 tonnes, a slight 0.9% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 7%, with a CAGR of -2.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 13 559 tonnes, which saw the largest drop of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, China, Spain, and Belgium were the main sources of frozen vegetable imports to New Zealand by volume, accounting for 51.5%, 13.9%, and 12.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they comprised 77.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, New Zealand's frozen vegetable import value increased in 2021, totaling 19.2 million US dollars, a strong 12.1% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 4.2%, with a CAGR of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 17.2 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, China, Spain, and Belgium were the leading sources of frozen vegetable imports to New Zealand by value, with shares of 45.1%, 13.2%, and 12.1%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 70.4% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021