Frozen sweetcorn market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The Latin American and Caribbean frozen sweetcorn market grew to 45 941 t in 2018, partially supported by improved storage conditions in Argentina where the optimal freezing temperature of sweet corn was set at –0.6 ºC, enhancing product preservation. Market volume continued to rise in 2019, reaching 49 064 t, before a slight correction to 48 681 t in 2020, indicating a period of stabilization.

A sharp surge occurred in 2021, with market volume jumping 24% to 60 585 t. This increase was driven by rising consumer demand and improved purchasing power across the region, stimulating consumption of sweet corn both fresh and in the frozen segment. Growth continued in 2022, reaching 67 110 t, supported by active trade dynamics including exports of frozen sweet corn to Mexico from the United States, Hungary, and China, alongside steady production in Brazil where sweet corn is often consumed in canned form.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 60 538 t, coinciding with rising corn prices in Brazil after a period of low quotations, which likely tempered consumption. Concurrently, the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies, such as improved irrigation methods and biotechnology, began boosting regional productivity. By 2024, the market showed signs of recovery, buoyed by better price expectations, although the El Niño climate phenomenon caused harvest delays and losses in some countries.

Production frozen sweetcorn in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen sweetcorn, 2017-2020

In 2019, Latin America and the Caribbean produced 25,098 tonnes of frozen sweetcorn, marking the lowest output in recent years. Production then increased by 3.0% in 2020 to reach 25,862 tonnes. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 26,563 tonnes, which represented a 4.0% increase from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Frozen sweetcorn production in Latin America and the Caribbean has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, the output was valued at 47,280 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial decrease of 10.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 20.7%, with an average annual decline of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports frozen sweetcorn from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Latin America and the Caribbean's frozen sweetcorn export volume has increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 6,522 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 73.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 100.9%, equivalent to an average annual increase of 26.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Spain, and Japan were the primary destinations for frozen sweetcorn exports from Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States accounted for 54.2% of exports in volume, Spain for 21.2%, and Japan for 1.4%. Together, these three countries represented 76.7% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Foreign frozen sweetcorn supplies from Latin America and the Caribbean have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 11,924 thousand US dollars, indicating a rise of 49.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 57.3%, with an average annual increase of 16.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Spain dominated frozen sweetcorn exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, together accounting for 83.8% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen sweetcorn to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Latin America and the Caribbean's frozen sweetcorn imports have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports totaled 22,928 tonnes, representing a 5.8% year-on-year gain. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 8.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 22,928 tonnes, which marked a 14.9% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 21.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Belgium, and Spain were the key partners for frozen sweetcorn imports to Latin America and the Caribbean. The United States accounted for 64.8% of imports in volume, Belgium for 14.2%, and Spain for 6.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 85.3% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Frozen sweetcorn shipments to Latin America and the Caribbean from abroad have increased for two consecutive years. In 2020, imports amounted to 37,700 thousand US dollars, showing an advance of 4.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 11.5%, with an average annual increase of 3.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 31,911 thousand US dollars, which represented a 5.6% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the United States, Belgium, and Spain—together absorbed 85.5% of total frozen sweetcorn imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020