Saudi Arabia Frozen Vegetables Market- Trend Analysis & Forecasts

Market/ Product Overview

Saudi Arabia's frozen vegetables market has evolved significantly over the past decade, reflecting broader changes in the Kingdom’s food industry. Rising consumer preference for ready-to-cook meals, especially among dual-income households and expatriate populations, is a key driver behind this shift. As per data from the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), frozen food consumption has increased by over 35% between 2018 and 2023, with frozen vegetables accounting for nearly 20% of this growth.

By 2024, the frozen vegetables market in Saudi Arabia was valued at around US$ ** million, up from US$ ** million in 2020. The market's steady growth is underpinned by strategic investments in cold storage infrastructure and logistics. Retail expansion has also played a critical role, with hypermarkets and e-commerce platforms increasingly offering a wider variety of frozen vegetable products.

In addition, rising health consciousness among Saudi consumers has contributed to a gradual shift away from canned and preserved vegetables towards frozen options, which retain more nutrients and have longer shelf lives. Government campaigns encouraging vegetable consumption and reduction of food waste have reinforced this trend, making frozen vegetables a sustainable alternative. With increased consumer education and visibility, the category is expected to further expand its reach, even into rural regions by 2032.

Significance of Saudi Arabia in Global Frozen Vegetables Supply Chain

While Saudi Arabia is not a primary producer or exporter of frozen vegetables globally, it plays a critical role as one of the Middle East's largest importers and re-exporters. The Kingdom's strategic geographic location gives it access to European, Asian, and African agricultural hubs. It imported frozen vegetables worth US$ ** million in 2024, primarily from Belgium, the Netherlands, Egypt, and India.

Furthermore, the Port of Jeddah and King Abdullah Port act as vital nodes in the regional cold chain logistics infrastructure. With consistent investments under Vision 2030 to enhance port capacities and digital customs systems, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a regional logistics hub for perishable and semi-perishable products.

The Kingdom also functions as a testbed for premium and health-oriented frozen food innovations from global brands aiming to enter the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. Increasing collaborations with European and Turkish food exporters for co-packing, private labeling, and distribution in GCC nations underscore Saudi Arabia's indirect influence on frozen vegetable supply chain strategies across the MENA region.

Saudi Arabia Frozen Vegetables Supply & Demand Trend

Saudi Arabia’s domestic agricultural production of vegetables is insufficient to meet its year-round demand, prompting high dependence on imports for both fresh and frozen categories. In 2024, domestic frozen vegetable production stood at ** thousand tonnes, covering just 18-20% of local demand. Imports supplemented the remaining requirement, amounting to over ** thousand tonnes of frozen vegetable products.

Rising demand is being driven by a fast-growing population—expected to exceed ** million by 2030—and an expanding youth demographic. Urbanization has reached 84.5% as of 2024, increasing demand for convenient, time-saving food solutions such as frozen vegetables. Retail data from Panda and Danube supermarket chains indicate that frozen vegetable sales have grown **% annually since 2020, outpacing traditional canned vegetable sales.

Foodservice demand has also rebounded post-COVID-19, with quick-service restaurants and institutional catering resuming pre-pandemic procurement volumes. In 2024, the HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés) segment accounted for **% of total frozen vegetable consumption. In contrast, household consumption made up nearly **%, bolstered by the growth of dual-income families and single-person households.

The government’s Greenhouses and Hydroponics Program (under MEWA) is expected to gradually increase domestic vegetable production, which may support partial substitution of fresh-to-frozen processing. However, reliance on imports will remain dominant due to climatic limitations and water scarcity.

Saudi Arabia Frozen Vegetables Market Growth Factors

Saudi Arabia Frozen Vegetables Market Segmentation

The Saudi frozen vegetables market can be segmented by product type, distribution channel, end-user, and origin (domestic vs imported).

By product type, frozen mixed vegetables held the largest market share in 2024, accounting for **% of total volume, followed by peas, corn, okra, and green beans. Frozen spinach and carrots are gaining ground due to increasing awareness about antioxidant-rich diets. Products tailored for traditional Saudi dishes, such as molokhia and bamia, have also seen upticks in sales.

In terms of distribution channels, modern retail (hypermarkets, supermarkets) commands over **% market share. Panda, Othaim, Lulu, and Danube are key retail players, supported by growing shelf space for health-focused frozen options. E-commerce is emerging as the fastest-growing channel, contributing nearly **% of total market sales in 2024, up from just 9% in 2019.

End-user segmentation shows that households are the dominant consumers, representing **–**% of the market. The foodservice sector (QSRs, restaurants, institutional catering) represents around **%, and is expected to rise with Saudi Arabia’s push to become a tourism and event destination by 2030. The Ministry of Tourism's investment of SAR 300 billion into hospitality infrastructure is expected to significantly raise demand for frozen ingredients.

When segmented by origin, imported products dominate with a market share of around **%, while domestic players such as Sunbulah Group and Al Kabeer are focusing on increasing local processing capacity to reduce foreign dependence. Private label frozen vegetables offered by hypermarkets are also gaining popularity due to cost competitiveness and perceived freshness.

Saudi Arabia Frozen Vegetables Trade (Export & Import) Trend

Saudi Arabia is a net importer of frozen vegetables, sourcing over ** thousand tonnes annually. As per 2024 customs data, imports were valued at US$ ** million. Belgium and the Netherlands remain top European suppliers due to their advanced freezing technologies and logistics reliability. Egypt and India also contribute significant volumes, particularly for products like okra, green beans, and spinach.

The Kingdom imposes a 5% tariff on most imported frozen vegetables, in line with GCC standards. However, certain bilateral trade agreements allow for tariff exemptions or reductions, especially with Arab League countries like Egypt and Jordan. These trade ties help stabilize supply and manage import costs.

Saudi Arabia’s re-export market is modest but growing. In 2023, frozen vegetable re-exports totaled US$ ** million, primarily directed to Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE. The expansion of Jeddah and Dammam ports and improvements in customs clearance have facilitated higher trade volumes.

Import licensing and product registration requirements under the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) ensure food safety but can add to lead times for foreign suppliers. Nonetheless, global brands are increasingly seeking partnerships with local distributors to streamline compliance and widen their reach.

Influence of Saudi Arabia in Global Frozen Vegetables Price

While Saudi Arabia is not a price setter in global frozen vegetable markets, its import behavior can influence regional price trends, particularly in the MENA zone. Given its position as the largest frozen vegetable importer in the GCC, any shift in Saudi demand tends to reflect across regional wholesale pricing.

Between 2020 and 2023, Saudi import prices for frozen vegetables rose by an average of 9.5% due to inflationary pressures, shipping disruptions, and weather-related crop failures in key supplier countries. The average import price stood at US$ 1.78/kg in 2023, compared to US$ 1.54/kg in 2020. Saudi Arabia imported around 11 thousand tonnes of sweet corn valued at US$ 11.56 million.

Wholesale prices within the Kingdom also reflect this trend. In 2024, the average wholesale price of frozen mixed vegetables in Riyadh and Jeddah ranged between US$ ** to **/kg, with further markups at the retail level.

Global suppliers often adjust their pricing based on Saudi Arabia’s purchasing cycles, which peak before Ramadan and during the Hajj season. These periods witness demand surges of up to **%, influencing short-term price dynamics across the broader Middle East.

Market Competitive Landscape

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the Saudi Arabia frozen vegetables market is poised for continued expansion, driven by population growth, urbanization, and a heightened focus on food security. By 2032, the market is projected to reach US$ ** million, growing at a CAGR of **% from 2025 to 2032.

Domestic production is expected to rise modestly, supported by controlled-environment farming and public-private partnerships. However, imports will continue to dominate, necessitating resilient trade and cold chain strategies. Emerging trends such as organic frozen vegetables, single-serve packs, and plant-based meal kits will shape future product innovation. Government initiatives to reduce food loss and increase agricultural productivity will further support market stability.

With increasing consumer trust and technological advancement in freezing methods, frozen vegetables will likely become a mainstream dietary choice across both urban and semi-urban Saudi Arabia by the end of the forecast period.