According to EastFruit analysts, for the period from January 1 to October 20, 2021, Uzbekistan increased the volume of exports of frozen vegetables and fruits by almost 2,5 times compared to the same period last year. At the same time, there was a shift in the structure of frozen fruit exports towards products of a higher price category.
The export of deep-frozen vegetables from Uzbekistan reached 7,6 thousand tons over the specified period and increased 2,5 times in volume and 2,6 times in value.
In the category of frozen vegetables, the largest increase in exports was in frozen sweet peppers. In particular, three times more frozen sweet peppers were supplied to Russia - the main market for Uzbek frozen vegetables - three times more than in the same period in 2020. There was also a dynamic growth in exports of frozen broccoli and cauliflower. This category of frozen vegetables remained the main one in terms of export volume, and the supply of frozen broccoli and cauliflower from Uzbekistan to the Russian Federation doubled in January-August 2021.
The frozen vegetables category is one of the most promising segments of the fruit and vegetable business on a global scale. This segment can grow for a long time and steadily, because in many countries of the world they do not yet realize the huge advantages of frozen vegetables for use in both food processing and cooking.
The development of deep (shock) freezing of vegetables could give a strong impetus to the laying of new areas, and hence the creation of many new jobs and a sharp increase in export earnings in Uzbekistan.
These are just the first steps, and the potential of this market is still huge. If this year the export of frozen vegetables, fruits and berries from Uzbekistan may reach 15 thousand tons, then Poland, for example, annually exports about 800 thousand tons of frozen fruits and vegetables, earning almost $ 1 billion from this. Even in quantitative terms, exports from Poland are 50 times greater than from Uzbekistan. At the same time, raw materials in Poland are more expensive, and the quality parameters of raw materials for freezing in Uzbekistan may be higher.