Frozen sweetcorn market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen sweetcorn market in Sub-Saharan Africa, measured in volume, grew from 11 734 t in 2018 to a peak of 14 083 t in 2020. This expansion was followed by a contraction to 12 336 t in 2021, with a subsequent recovery reaching 14 505 t by 2023. In value terms, the market increased from $29.3 million in 2018 to $37.9 million in 2020, then declined steadily to $24.4 million in 2023, reflecting shifts in pricing or market composition.

By 2024, several factors began shaping the market environment. Growing consumer preference for plant-based and protein-forward foods, amplified by health claims and social media, bolstered demand for frozen vegetables including sweetcorn. Concurrently, economic pressures and time constraints among working households increased reliance on convenient frozen foods. Local production initiatives, such as those by McCain using regionally grown corn frozen at peak freshness, supported supply to meet this demand.

Production frozen sweetcorn in Sub-Saharan Africa

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 Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 9 801 tonnes of frozen sweetcorn, marking a 3.8% year-on-year rise. Production grew by 4.7% between 2017 and 2020, translating to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 9 359 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports frozen sweetcorn from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, frozen sweetcorn exports from Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2020, exports dropped to 535 tonnes, a sharp 58.1% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 36.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 277 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 40.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands were the primary buyers of frozen sweetcorn from Sub-Saharan Africa, together accounting for 46.3% of total exports in volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, frozen sweetcorn exports from Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 1 903 thousand US dollars, a 52.1% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 969 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 146.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the United Kingdom (53.2% of exports by value), the Netherlands (2.6%), and the United Arab Emirates (0.9%) were the main markets for frozen sweetcorn exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms, collectively representing 56.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen sweetcorn to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of increase, Sub-Saharan Africa's frozen sweetcorn import volume declined. In 2020, imports stood at 4 817 tonnes, a modest 9.2% decrease from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 58.8%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 16.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 306 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 61.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, frozen sweetcorn imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in volume were widely distributed across partner countries. China (17.5% of imports by volume), Belgium (11.0%), and India (10.8%) together represented only 39.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of improvement, frozen sweetcorn deliveries to Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2020, import value amounted to 4 305 thousand US dollars, an 11.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 38%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 843 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 51.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, frozen sweetcorn imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were spread across many countries. Belgium (14.6% of imports by value), Spain (11.6%), and China (11.4%) jointly accounted for only 37.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020