Frozen vegetables market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The South African frozen vegetables market expanded in volume to a peak of 30 538 t in 2019, following the 2018 introduction of the R638 Food Regulations which set new hygiene and food handling standards for all food establishments, potentially bolstering confidence in local production quality. The market value followed a similar upward trajectory, growing from 26,3 million US dollars in 2018 to a high of 31,5 million US dollars in 2021.

After 2021, both the physical volume and value of the market contracted, with volume falling to 20 462 t and value to 26,3 million US dollars by 2023. The market faced significant inflationary pressure in 2024, with a 10% price increase in frozen vegetables driven by supply constraints, rising input costs like fertilizers, and a weak exchange rate affecting imports.

Entering 2025, several concurrent trends shaped the market landscape. Ongoing food inflation, driven by rising grain and vegetable costs and currency weakness, continued to pressure production expenses. At the same time, consumer preferences shifted notably towards plant-based eating and convenient ready-to-cook meals, spurring the growth of new product segments like frozen dumplings. Frequent load shedding episodes created dual pressures, disrupting manufacturing supply chains while simultaneously boosting demand for frozen foods due to their longer shelf life. The regulatory environment also evolved with updates to food safety and quality rules and anticipated new labeling regulations.

Production frozen vegetables in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of frozen vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of frozen vegetables, 2018-2021

South Africa's frozen vegetable production saw a decline in 2021, following two years of growth. That year, the country produced 22 320 tonnes of frozen vegetables, marking a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to 2020. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 7.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The peak was reached in 2020, with 22 788 tonnes produced, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of South Africa's frozen vegetable output rose to 29 188 thousand US dollars, up by 5.5% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value grew by 4.7%, translating to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 27 669 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports frozen vegetables from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's frozen vegetable export volumes declined for the third year in a row in 2021. Exports stood at 9 741 tonnes, showing a significant drop of 21.8% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 36.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, the largest buyers of South Africa's frozen vegetables by volume were Botswana, accounting for 46.8% of exports, Namibia with 22.1%, and Eswatini at 8.0%. Together, these three countries made up 76.8% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of South Africa's frozen vegetable exports also fell for the third consecutive year in 2021. Exports amounted to 12 738 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial decrease of 15.8% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value declined by 38.5%, with an annualized rate of 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the leading destinations for South Africa's frozen vegetable exports by value were Botswana, with a 41.8% share, Namibia at 24.1%, and Eswatini contributing 6.8%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 72.7% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports frozen vegetables to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's frozen vegetable imports decreased for the second year in a row in 2021. Imports totaled 16 202 tonnes, down by 15.7% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 20.3%, with an average annual decline of 7.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 24 278 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 19.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 20.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, the key sources for South Africa's frozen vegetable imports by volume were Belgium, which supplied 53.5% of imports, China with 17.3%, and Spain at 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented 81.8% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of South Africa's frozen vegetable imports also declined for the second consecutive year in 2021. Imports were valued at 15 064 thousand US dollars, showing a notable decrease of 15.0% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, import value dropped by 21.3%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.7%. The peak value was in 2019 at 21 645 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 13.0%. The largest decline was in 2020, with an 18.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the 2018-2021 period, the main sources for South Africa's frozen vegetable imports by value were Belgium, accounting for 53.3% of imports, China with 14.4%, and New Zealand at 11.9%. These three countries together made up 79.7% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021