The market dynamics of IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) fruits and vegetables are characterized by a confluence of factors that cater to the increasing demand for convenience, year-round availability, and preservation of nutritional value. IQF technology involves rapidly freezing each piece of fruit or vegetable individually, preserving their texture, flavor, and nutritional content. One of the primary drivers shaping the market dynamics is the rising consumer preference for convenient and time-saving food options. IQF fruits and vegetables offer consumers the flexibility to enjoy a wide variety of produce without the need for extensive preparation, making them a popular choice for busy lifestyles.
The demand for year-round availability of fruits and vegetables has significantly influenced the market dynamics of IQF products. Unlike fresh produce, which is subject to seasonal variations and perishability, IQF fruits and vegetables provide a consistent supply throughout the year. This year-round availability appeals to consumers who seek diverse and nutritious options regardless of the season, contributing to the growth of the IQF fruits and vegetables market.
Nutritional preservation is a key factor driving the market dynamics of IQF fruits and vegetables. The rapid freezing process employed in IQF technology helps lock in the nutritional value of the produce at the point of harvest. This preservation of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants addresses consumer concerns about maintaining the health benefits of fruits and vegetables even in frozen form. As health-conscious consumers increasingly prioritize nutrient-rich diets, the demand for IQF fruits and vegetables as a convenient and nutritionally dense option continues to rise.
The foodservice industry is a significant contributor to the market dynamics of IQF fruits and vegetables. Restaurants, cafeterias, and catering services value the convenience and consistency offered by IQF products. These frozen fruits and vegetables can be easily incorporated into a variety of dishes, ensuring chefs have access to high-quality produce regardless of the season. Additionally, the extended shelf life of IQF products reduces food waste in both the foodservice industry and households, aligning with sustainability goals.
The global supply chain plays a crucial role in shaping the market dynamics of IQF fruits and vegetables. As the demand for these products transcends geographical boundaries, suppliers and producers must navigate challenges related to transportation, storage, and logistics. The ability to efficiently transport and distribute IQF products while maintaining their quality is a key consideration for market players.
Consumer awareness and preferences for clean-label and natural products contribute to the market dynamics of IQF fruits and vegetables. As consumers seek minimally processed and additive-free options, IQF products, with their simple ingredient lists and preservation method, align with these preferences. Brands that emphasize the natural and fresh-like quality of their IQF offerings are well-positioned to cater to the evolving tastes of health-conscious consumers.
Market dynamics are also influenced by the diversification of product offerings within the IQF fruits and vegetables segment. Beyond the traditional varieties, there is a growing market for exotic and specialty fruits and vegetables in IQF form. This expansion of options allows consumers to experiment with unique flavors and ingredients, further driving the market growth.
IQF Fruits & Vegetables Market Size was estimated at USD 5134.5 million in 2023. The IQF fruits & vegetables industry is projected to grow from USD 5355.2 million in 2024 to USD 7190.7 million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.30% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The demand from food manufacturers to preserve food for a long time and utilize it as a component in finished goods are the key market drivers enhancing market for for IQF fruits & vegetables growth. Over the forecast period, revenue will continue to rise, with working-class people providing most of the growth.
Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Women's employment rates have significantly increased in recent years. For the growing number of working women, it has become more challenging for them to prepare or cook healthy meals every day. This has led to the purchase of frozen fruits and vegetables. The U.S. Department of Labor predicted that the employment rate for women in China was 43.7% in 2019. Similarly, the employment rate for women in South Africa is 45%, while it is 46% in the United States. These are some of the main factors enhancing the IQF fruits & vegetables market CAGR ly in recent years.
Figure 1: Total number of women workforce from 2013-2023 in percent of the total workforce
Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Online buying is a popular trend among consumers right now. One of the key aspects driving this industry's expansion is online retail. Over 2.14 billion people are anticipated to make online purchases in 2023. The rise of the frozen fruits and vegetables industry is anticipated to be fueled by the increasing use of smartphones and the internet, which will also present chances for new players. Additionally, AFFI said most online shoppers added frozen items to their virtual shopping carts.
Chemical pesticides and fertilizers have a negative impact on the ecosystem. Therefore, governments worldwide support organic farming to decrease the use of dangerous chemicals in agriculture. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that in 2023, 187 nations conducted organic agriculture, covering about 72.3 million hectares of agricultural land—an increase of nearly 1.1 million hectares from the previous year. The availability and cost of the commodity have grown due to the movement toward organic farming. This is one of the factors driving the growth of the IQF fruits & vegetables market revenue.
The IQF fruits & vegetables market segmentation, based on product type, includes fruits and vegetables. Fruits are to be given a dominant proportion with respect to the IQF fruits & vegetables market revenue. Unseasonal fruits will continue to grow in popularity because of their outstanding nutritional value and freshness worldwide.
April 2022: SunOpta, a U.S.-based worldwide pioneer powering the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages, unveiled its new 65,000-square-foot headquarters and eco-powered innovation center in Eden Prairie, Minn. SunOpta's new headquarters was created to accelerate innovation, facilitate collaboration, and replicate the company's sustainability history to positively influence people and the earth. This creation has further broadened the growth opportunity for the IQF fruits & vegetables industry.
However, the IQF vegetables also showed significant growth. IQF is one of the most often used kinds of processed potatoes. They are simple to prepare, offer a variety of vitamins and nutrients, and have a lengthy shelf life because they are stored organically. The demand for IQF potatoes is increasing swiftly due to the increase in fast food restaurants and the need from customers for healthier options, which positively impacts the market growth.
The IQF fruits & vegetables market segmentation has been bifurcated by into category into organic and conventional. The organic sector dominated the market for IQF fruits & vegetables in 2023. Farmers and food manufacturing businesses have never-before-seen prospects thanks to the rising demand for items that bear the organic certification. Since organic food items contain antioxidants, shown in several scientific studies to have a favorable impact on general health, consumers are beginning to prefer them more and more.
Based on application, the IQF fruits & vegetables industry has been segmented into household and industrial. In 2023, the industrial sector dominated the IQF fruits and vegetables market, accounting for more than 60% of total sales. The expansion can be due to growing food prices in various locations and rising consumer disposable income. Additionally, to improve their product selection and customer experience, supermarkets have been using digital technologies like big data analytics and cloud computing more and more.
Figure 2: IQF Fruits and Vegetable Market, by Surgery, 2023 & 2032 (USD Million)
Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
The second fastest-growing segment in the IQF fruits & vegetables industry is household. The growing e-commerce sector in developing nations like India, China, and Brazil, provides numerous opportunities for vendors to sell products through home delivery services or door-step delivery facilities within hours after payment is made online.
By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. North America IQF's fruits & vegetables market accounted for USD 2351.6 million in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR of 45.80 percent growth during the study period. The FDA has implemented several restrictions that reduce the use of dangerous compounds like trans fats. These elements are promoting market for IQF fruits & vegetables expansion in the area. As a result of vegetables' high nutritional value and low-calorie content, Americans and Canadians are increasingly consuming packaged food items, which has fueled the regional market for IQF fruits & vegetables expansion.
Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.
Figure 3: IQF FRUITS & VEGETABLES MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2023 (%)
Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Europe IQF fruits & vegetables market accounts for the second-largest market. High consumer spending power, economic stability, and changes in food preferences are some of the key growth factors in the area. In addition, Sales of frozen foods soared in the early months of COVID-19's unexpected breakout, but they sharply declined in the following months. Germany, the largest European food market, sold more than 3.66 million tonnes of frozen food products in 2020. Further, the German IQF fruits & vegetables market held the largest share, and the UK IQF fruits & vegetables market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.
The Asia-Pacific IQF fruits & vegetables market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2032. The rising number of cold chain facilities in various emerging nations also aids regional market for IQF fruits & vegetables expansion. According to information currently available, in 2021, India had 8186 cold storage facilities with a total capacity of 374.25 lakh MT. Additionally, developing nations like India, Japan, and China are benefiting from an increase in refrigeration facilities in retail stores and an increase in the availability of frozen food through online retailers. Moreover, China's IQF fruits & vegetables market held the largest share, and the Indian IQF fruits & vegetables market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.
As a result of major market participants investing a lot of money in R&D to expand their product lines, the market for IQF fruits & vegetables will keep growing. In combination with key market developments, including new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants for IQF fruits & vegetables are engaging in various strategic initiatives to expand their worldwide footprint. If they want to grow and thrive in a market that is becoming increasingly cutthroat, competitors in the IQF fruits & vegetables industry must provide reasonably priced goods.
Local production to cut operating costs is one of the main business methods used by the IQF fruits & vegetables industry to serve customers and grow the market for IQF fruits & vegetables. The IQF fruits & vegetables industry has recently provided some of the most important advantages to medicine. IQF fruits & vegetable market major players, such as Abbott Laboratories (US), Stryker Corporation (US), Medtronic Inc. (Ireland), and others, are funding R&D initiatives to increase consumer demand.
Delektia is a manufacturer of prepared meals that are fully cooked, frozen, and ready to eat. Customers can choose from various delicious and original meals thanks to the company's food products, which include freshly frozen food. These dishes include soup, rice, vegetables, non-vegetables, and other goods. For instance, in June 2022, Delektia, a frozen food firm based in Dubai, UAE, struck an agreement to enter the Jordanian market with Medicaa, a Jordan-based Mideast import and advisory agency.
Also, Aussie Frozen Fruit was established in 2020 to provide fresh and nutritious 100% Australian-sourced frozen fruit to Australian consumers. Aussie Frozen Fruit is 100% delectable, genuine Australian fruit with no added sugar, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors. For instance, in April 2021, an Australian company called Aussie Frozen Fruit introduced frozen pineapples as their fifth product, coming in 400g boxes of 100% Australian-grown fruit. The new frozen pineapple from Aussie Frozen Fruit is picked at maturity to preserve ripeness and flavor, then washed, peeled, and chopped before being snap-frozen and packaged.
IQF Fruits & Vegetables Industry Developments
May 2022: Dole Packaged Foods, LLC has opened a frozen fruit plant in McDonough, Georgia. It is Doles' third factory in the United States. The new facility is around 60,000 square feet and is completely automated, with four manufacturing lines producing 60 million pounds of frozen fruit yearly.
January 2021: Mira Jhala, a serial entrepreneur, has started her fourth venture, FroGo, an online frozen food product and distribution company in Gurugram, India. Rotis and parathas, non-vegetarian munchies momos, pizzas, wraps and rolls, ready-to-eat meals, DIY kits, garlic bread and more, veggies and fruits, and ice cream will be among the FroGo offerings.
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