Post by Trade Coach on Jun 1, 2019 17:33:34 GMT 1
There are many large importing and re-exporting country for frozen vegetables in Europe. The largest imports of frozen vegetables concern vegetables that are not massively produced in Europe which provides an opportunity for suppliers from developing countries. This group of vegetables includes garlic, pumpkin leaves, aubergines, bitter melon etc.
Product Description
Frozen vegetables are a range of products prepared by the use of a freezing process from substantially sound, fresh vegetables having reached appropriate maturity for processing. None of their essential characteristic elements are removed from them but they should be washed and prepared appropriately, depending on the product to be manufactured.
They undergo operations such as washing, peeling, grading, cutting, blanching/deactivation of enzyme activity and so on, depending on the type of product. Frozen vegetables are maintained at -18 °C or colder.
Product Qualification for Export
The basic quality requirements for frozen vegetables are:
- reasonably uniform colour.
- clean, sound and free from foreign matte.
- products practically free from pests and damage caused by them.
- free from foreign flavour and odour, taking into consideration any added ingredients.
Additional requirements
Labelling
The name of the food as declared on the label should include "name of vegetables" and the words "quick frozen" or "frozen", as well as the name of the ingredient if used (i.e. salt, spices, and so on). The label should also include the style, as appropriate. When frozen vegetables are cut, the cutting style should also be on the label (i.e. diced, halved, Julienne, trimmed, ring, chopped, and so on). In the case of quick-frozen vegetables in bulk packaging, the information required above must either be placed on the container or be given in accompanying documents, except that “frozen or quick frozen (name of the fruit)” as well as the name and address of the manufacturer or packer must appear on the container.
It is common that product specification in addition to the type of the vegetable also declares the variety of the vegetable.
Packaging
Packaging used for quick-frozen vegetables must protect the organoleptic and quality characteristics of the product, protect the product from bacteriological and other contamination (including contamination from the packaging material itself), protect the product from moisture loss, dehydration and (where appropriate) leakage as far as technologically practicable, and not pass on to the product any odour, taste, colour or other foreign characteristics.
The most common types of packaging for frozen vegetables are polyethylene bags, carton boxes layered with folium and paper bags. The size of the packaging may vary according to the buyers’ requests.
Global market for Frozen Vegetables
All foods including frozen vegetables sold in Europe must be safe. Additives must be approved. Harmful residues in pesticides are banned. It should also be readily obvious from the labelling whether food contains allergens.
Germany is the world’s leading importer of frozen peas. Positive import growth is expected in the coming years due to observed investments of and joint ventures by the leading frozen vegetable companies in Europe. This growth will provide opportunities for exporters from developing countries, especially for exporters of exotic frozen vegetables. In terms of quantity, the most imported vegetables are frozen peas.
Market Value
The large number of Africans living overseas makes the export of frozen vegetables lucrative. You can invest little in the business and earn up to three times the money invested. Small startup capital is required, depending on your capacity.
The business is indeed a great opportunity for investors.