A growing demand for easy-to-prepare food is what’s driving the global frozen fruits and vegetables market, according to a report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., San Jose, Calif.

In fact, the study says that the frozen fruits and vegetables market is projected to reach 28.2 million tons by 2020.

Other growth factors include continuous innovation in freezing technologies and development of cold chain logistics.

For example, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) developed “world-changing” technology aimed at prolonging the shelf life of fresh produce. The project, named Microbial Management of Fresh Produce Preservation, Protection and Intervention, proved that raw fruit and vegetables sprayed with an electrically-charged solution that kills bacteria responsible for spoilage experienced an increased shelf life by up to one day.

Plus, technology developments in post-harvest handling, storage and transportation make frozen produce superior to fresh picked fruits and vegetables in terms of quality and nutrition, according to Global Industry Analysts’ report.

The market is also positively impacted by the influence of urbanization on lifestyles, social behavior and attitude toward health and diets. 

Other growth factors entail a social and demographic shift pertaining to an increase in the number of women in the workforce, a rise in dual-income families, fast-paced lifestyles and lack of time for cooking elaborate meals.

And, food-related health scares also contribute toward the shift in consumer preference of quality-assured, fresh-frozen vegetables.

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