Frozen sweetcorn market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the introduction of technical standards for sweetcorn cultivation and frozen processing laid the groundwork for expanding planting areas and upgrading equipment. The market volume grew to 136.2 thousand tons in 2019, though this was primarily driven by a sharp drop in exports. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted cold chain logistics, contributing to a market contraction to 80.6 thousand tons, even as major frozen food companies increased investments in integrated storage and distribution networks to bolster supply resilience.

From 2021 to 2023, continued regulatory pushes shaped the market. New frozen processing standards like DB32/T 1357-2021 prompted firms to replace outdated freezing lines. A significant production jump to 70.7 thousand tons occurred in 2022 following the implementation of the T/QGSX 002-2022 technical regulation, which mandated packaging upgrades and led to a 30% capacity expansion at major producers. Concurrently, rapid e-commerce growth and cold chain logistics improvements in Northeast China supported sales. However, in 2023, despite ongoing investments in deep-processing capacity and the rollout of mandatory traceability systems for green labeling, the total market volume fell sharply to 51.6 thousand tons amid a decline in imports.

Production frozen sweetcorn in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen sweetcorn, 2017-2020

Asia's frozen sweetcorn production saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 56 867 tonnes. However, in 2020, output fell to 55 506 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Asia's frozen sweetcorn production value declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, production value peaked at 72 132 thousand US dollars. By 2020, it had dropped to 55 980 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial decrease of 21.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 16.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.9%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when production value rose by 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports frozen sweetcorn from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2019, frozen sweetcorn exports from Asia reached their lowest point at 39.9 thousand tonnes, marking a decline of 31.1% from the previous year. However, in 2020, exports surged to 74.4 thousand tonnes, representing an abrupt increase of 86.3% year-over-year and reaching the highest volume recorded. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 1.9 times.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Belgium, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) were significant buyers of frozen sweetcorn from Asia, accounting for 9.1%, 2.8%, and 2.5% of exports in volume, respectively. However, their combined share represented only 14.4% of total exports, with the remaining 85.6% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Asia's frozen sweetcorn export value showed mixed trends. In 2019, it reached its lowest point at 50.0 million US dollars, declining by 32.9% from the previous year. In 2020, exports rebounded to 75.0 million US dollars, reflecting an advance of 50.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for frozen sweetcorn exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. The United States, Belgium, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) accounted for 10.7%, 3.1%, and 2.6% of export value, respectively, but their combined share was just 16.4% of total flows. The remaining 83.6% was shared by many other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen sweetcorn to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's frozen sweetcorn import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 99.4 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a solid drop of 16.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume decreased by 18.5%, with an average annual decline of 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, the United States, New Zealand, and Hungary played notable roles as suppliers of frozen sweetcorn to Asia, accounting for 34.6%, 3.4%, and 2.1% of imports in volume, respectively. However, their joint share reached only 40.1% of total imports, indicating a diversified supplier base.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After rising for two years, Asia's frozen sweetcorn import value declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 181.6 million US dollars, increasing by 5.9% from the previous year. In 2020, imports fell to 155.9 million US dollars, indicating a decrease of 14.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 8.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, three key markets—the United States, New Zealand, and Spain—remained central to Asia's frozen sweetcorn imports in value terms, together accounting for 58.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020