Frozen sweetcorn market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen sweetcorn market in SADC grew from 11 220 т in 2018 to a peak of 12 789 т in 2019. This increase occurred alongside a decrease in South Africa's sweetcorn exports, which may have supported domestic availability, though export volumes were modest relative to the total market size. Export prices for South African sweetcorn showed volatility, averaging around US$1.62 per kg in 2019.

Market volume then declined over the next three years, falling to 11 053 т in 2022. This period was marked by global supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures, as well as climatic events that reduced maize production in Southern Africa, constraining the supply of raw materials for frozen sweetcorn. South African export prices stabilized near US$1.59 per kg during these years.

In 2023, the market rebounded to 12 270 т, driven primarily by shifting consumer preferences in South Africa toward plant-based and convenient frozen foods, which boosted demand for frozen sweetcorn. Concurrently, the market adapted to pending changes in food labeling regulations, such as draft regulation R3337, which mandates front-of-pack warning labels and affects packaging strategies.

Production frozen sweetcorn in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen sweetcorn, 2017-2020

SADC's frozen sweetcorn production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 9 801 tonnes, marking a gradual 3.8% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 359 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in the same year, though it was minimal at 0.0%.

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

Exports frozen sweetcorn from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2018, with a 20-fold difference between these years. In 2020, frozen sweetcorn deliveries from SADC amounted to 216 tonnes, representing a substantial 233.6% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 41 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 95.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the largest buyer of frozen sweetcorn from SADC, accounting for 1.2% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Frozen sweetcorn exports from SADC increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 123 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 7.1% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 15.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 956 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 1.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 9.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United Kingdom was the main partner for exports in value terms, with a share of 0.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports frozen sweetcorn to SADC

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference. In 2020, SADC imported 3 188 tonnes of frozen sweetcorn, corresponding to a significant 11.2% decline from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 901 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 3 413 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 19.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 79.5%.

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

Over 2017–2020, imports in volume terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. India (16.2% of imports), Belgium (15.1%), and Spain (14.0%) together accounted for 45.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, SADC's frozen sweetcorn import volume totaled 3 188 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable 12.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 29.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 423 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 3 641 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 50.3%.

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

Over 2017–2020, there was no single dominant market for frozen sweetcorn imports in value terms. Belgium (16.8% of imports), Spain (14.1%), and India (10.2%) together accounted for only 41.2% of total imports, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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