As the frozen vegetable market continues to grow, Greek companies are attracting considerable buzz, mostly thanks to their focus in innovation and the unique local produce.
It is no denying that consumption patterns change according to lifestyle and people’s ever more busy schedules. Combined with a growing demand for newer flavors and ingredients, this has led to the recent rise of the frozen fruit and vegetable market, especially in the developed world. In the developing world, on the other hand, the expansion of the middle classes and rising incomes have also led to the increased demand for products within this segment.
According to estimates, the global frozen fruits and vegetable market is expected grow significantly, at an annual rate of 5.34% and reach 751 million tons by 2027 with developing markets like India and China showing as much potential as the developed markets like Europe (the largest consumers of frozen fruit and vegetables are Italy, Germany and France, accounting together for more than half of total European consumption) and the United States. (source: Market Research Future).
Undeniable room for expansion in a rapidly growing market
The demand for frozen vegetables, such as spinach and legumes will see substantial growth due to the rise in demand for ready-to-eat foods. However, several reports point out that the growth percentage of frozen fruits and vegetables is still much lower than the overall market consumption of these product categories. While convenience is the keyword of the day, other important factors are also expected to affect the overall frozen vegetable market, such as rising awareness for healthy foods, clean eating, environmental sustainability of organic products, innovative packaging and storage methods.
Greek Frozen Vegetables: A true treasure of the Greek Land
Belgium is the largest producing, exporting and re-exporting country for frozen vegetables in Europe, accounting for 45% of total European exports in 2020. Nonetheless, Greek exports in the sector are continuously on the rise.
For the time being, the structure of the production of the main frozen vegetables in Greece is not changing much, and it is predicted that the situation will remain stable in the following years. This means that Greek exporting companies will remain strong competitors in the international markets.
The development of new technologies related to freezing temperatures, and the preservation of natural ingredients have also helped create fresher and more nutritious products in the frozen food sector. Greek companies in the frozen vegetable sector have already started to step up their game to build customer trust and dispel the negative image consumers may sometimes have towards frozen food –especially in a country such as Greece, where needs of the Greek market have pushed sales together with innovation.
Excellent export potential
Greek frozen vegetables have excellent export potential and are particularly popular in international markets. Undoubtedly, modern lifestyle with its intense, demanding rhythms, as well as improved consumers’ preference towards convenience foods are critical factors in the further expansion of Greek frozen vegetable exports. However, it is the top-tier quality of Greek products (and especially the freshness and flavor of the land’s vegetables) that will, in the end, define their longevity in international markets, and make them stand out among the competition.