The availability and diversity of frozen vegetables have increased significantly in recent years, providing consumers with a more extensive range of healthy, convenient, and sustainable food options. Whether used as a side dish, ingredient, or a meal, the range of frozen vegetables, mushrooms, or even green herbs available offers something for everyone.
Frozen fruits and vegetables can play an important role in today’s context of sustainability by reducing food waste and promoting local agriculture. Its long shelf life helps to reduce food waste and support local farmers who may have surplus crops that would otherwise go to waste. Additionally, frozen produce can be transported more efficiently than fresh produce, which in turn can help to reduce carbon emissions and other environmental impacts associated with food transportation. Europe is one of the biggest markets for frozen veggies worldwide.
According to The Netherlands’ Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI), increasingly busy lifestyles and a need for healthy food that is inexpensive, delectable, and simple to prepare are the main factors driving this industry. Vegetables that have been frozen are a versatile and affordable option. While frozen kale is used to produce kale crisps, frozen berries are frequently utilized to make smoothies. Market expansion is also being fueled by shifting eating habits and rising consumer incomes. The market for frozen vegetables is expanding as European customers switch from eating foods derived from animals to alternatives made from vegetables. Significant prospects exist for vegetable suppliers in nations like Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, and the Netherlands. There is knowledge that fresh veggies purchased and subsequently refrigerated are inferior to frozen vegetables in terms of vitamins and minerals.
The younger generation is now more aware of this reality, which is driving up demand for frozen vegetables. With a market share of 38% in 2021, Europe will have the highest demand for frozen veggies globally, followed by North America. European imports of frozen vegetables total 2.8 million tons and EUR3bn in value in 2021. The value of imports into Europe grew 1.7% during the previous five years while volumes fell by 0.6%, indicating a rise in import prices. 91% of all imports into Europe are from within the continent, whereas only 9% are from developing nations. The reason that domestic trade accounts for such a big portion of overall imports is that Europe is the world’s largest producer of frozen veggies. Over the previous five years, the volume of imports into Europe from emerging nations fell by 1.1%, totaling 2,537,929 tons in 2021. In terms of imports into Europe, Germany holds the largest market share (20%), followed by France (18%) and Belgium (14%).
A Snapshot of the European Market
According to CBI data, after the United States and Japan, Germany is the largest importer of frozen veggies worldwide and in Europe. In 2021, German imports of frozen vegetables totaled EUR598m, accounting for 20% of the European market. Between 2017 and 2021, German imports totaled 588,294 tons, a 2.1% yearly decline. Yet, during the same time period, their value climbed by 1.2% annually as a result of increases in import prices of an average of 4% in 2018 and 2019, 1% in 2020, and 5% in 2021. Germany imported 90% of its frozen vegetable imports in 2021 from other European nations and 10% from underdeveloped nations.
With a 43% market share, Belgium is the top supplier to Germany, followed by Poland (16%), the Netherlands (13%) and Spain (10%). Despite the rise in import costs, China continues to be Germany’s top non-European supplier of frozen veggies. The other major suppliers are Turkey, Ecuador, and Serbia. In 2021, Germany was the second-largest importer of mixed vegetables after the US and the third-largest importer of beans, with most of these imports coming from Belgium. Germany is also a major importer of frozen spinach from Belgium, ranking third globally. Frozen vegetables are also exported from Germany. Its exports primarily travel to the Netherlands (21%), Austria (17%), Belgium (10%), Italy (9%) and Poland (8%), ranking it as the sixth-largest exporter in Europe and the world.
Germans’ growing preference for vegan and organic diets, convenience, changing lifestyles among younger generations, and year-round need for seasonal vegetables are all factors that are driving the country’s frozen vegetable consumption. According to ProVeg research from 2022, 51% of Germans have cut back on their meat consumption. Germany and Austria have the second-highest percentage of vegans after the UK, according to the Vegan Society. A flexitarian diet has been embraced by about 30% of Germans (a primarily vegetarian diet, with occasional consumption of meat or fish).
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