Frozen sweetcorn market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen sweetcorn market in the CIS expanded from 10 628 tons in 2018 to 14 408 tons in 2020. This growth was underpinned by a 25.1% increase in corn harvests in 2019 and a 10.8% expansion of corn planting areas in Russia during 2020. The broader frozen fruit and vegetable sector also saw production rise by 47% between 2020 and 2024, indicating robust industry development.

Market volume peaked at 14 671 tons in 2021, supported by stabilized wholesale prices for frozen vegetables. However, a sharp contraction to 8 567 tons followed in 2022 after Russia introduced quotas on corn seed imports from unfriendly countries, capped at 5 000 tons, and domestic corn planting areas decreased by 3.4%. These measures directly constrained raw material supply for frozen sweetcorn production.

In 2023, the market slightly declined to 8 139 tons as corn seed deliveries fell by 49% year-on-year due to ongoing import restrictions, while adverse weather conditions, including late frosts and drought, increased production costs and reduced yields.

Production frozen sweetcorn in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen sweetcorn, 2017-2020

Frozen sweetcorn production in the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 151 tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 207 tonnes, which represented an 8.3% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of frozen sweetcorn production in the CIS was 1 535 thousand US dollars, showing a controlled gain of 6.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 18%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 14.4%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 2.6%.

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

Exports frozen sweetcorn from CIS

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, CIS frozen sweetcorn export volume amounted to 1 277 tonnes, reflecting a significant drop of 64.9% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 66.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania and Bulgaria remained the key destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 1.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of frozen sweetcorn from the CIS reached 1 702 thousand US dollars, showing a decrease of 62.8% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 64.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 29.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 70.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Bulgaria and Romania occupied the top positions in the structure of exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 1.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports frozen sweetcorn to CIS

Imports in kind, t

Foreign frozen sweetcorn supplies to the CIS increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the CIS imported a total of 14 534 tonnes of frozen sweetcorn, amounting to a moderate rise of 3.2% over the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 605 tonnes, representing a decline of 30.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (37.0% of imports in kind), Ukraine (10.4% of imports in kind), and China (8.3% of imports in kind) were the largest suppliers of frozen sweetcorn to the CIS, together forming 55.7% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of frozen sweetcorn imports to the CIS came to 11 978 thousand US dollars, which is 20.0% less than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 11 788 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value was in 2019 at 14 974 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 27.0%.

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

Over 2017–2020, India (35.5% of imports in value terms), Ukraine (10.8% of imports in value terms), and China (8.8% of imports in value terms) stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms, together representing 55.0% of total flows.

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

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