Prepared sweetcorn market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The prepared sweetcorn market in Asia expanded in 2019, aided by sufficient raw material supplies after the new grain harvest and stable demand from feed, livestock, and deep-processing enterprises. This growth was interrupted in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic adjusted consumer behavior and supply chains, though rising health consciousness bolstered demand for natural and non-GMO products, with vacuum freeze-drying technology emerging to extend shelf life.

Market conditions stabilized in 2021 with the introduction of new product segments and customized items like ready-to-eat snacks, supported by continuous e-commerce growth. The following year saw policy efforts under the rural revitalization strategy to modernize agriculture and improve product standards, alongside a consumer shift toward healthier, traceable goods, which shaped the market's structure.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2023 as exports of non-vinegar preserved sweetcorn became a dominant market force, drawing substantial production away from domestic consumption. This was accompanied by robust growth in e-commerce sales for fresh corn, highlighting a channel that gained importance even as the overall market size diminished.

Production prepared sweetcorn in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

Asia's production of prepared sweetcorn has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 325.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 10.1% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of prepared sweetcorn output in Asia reached 856.1 million US dollars, up 24.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 15.8%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 688.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 9.9% during this period.

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

Exports prepared sweetcorn from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed out in 2019 at 62.1 thousand tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 268.8 thousand tonnes, representing a 4.3-fold increase. In 2020, Asia's prepared sweetcorn export volume surged by 332.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 75.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner portfolio for prepared sweetcorn from Asia was quite broad. Russia accounted for 6.3% of exports in kind, followed by Asia, not elsewhere specified at 5.8%, and the United States at 5.3%. Together, these three partners represented only 17.3% of total export flows, indicating a diverse distribution.

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

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Export values dropped to a minimum in 2019 at 144.6 million US dollars and climbed to a maximum in 2020 at 361.2 million US dollars, a 2.5-fold increase. In 2020, prepared sweetcorn deliveries from Asia saw a 149.8% rise year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 55.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for prepared sweetcorn exports from Asia was broad. Russia led with 8.5% of exports in value terms, followed by the United States at 5.2%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified at 4.8%. Combined, these three accounted for only 18.5% of total export value, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports prepared sweetcorn to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Asia's prepared sweetcorn import volume was 133.7 thousand tonnes, down 9.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 130.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 12.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for prepared sweetcorn imports in kind were the United States with 16.1%, Russia with 4.2%, and Hungary with 3.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 23.9% of total import flows.

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

In 2020, Asia imported prepared sweetcorn worth 273.9 million US dollars, showing a limited rise of 7.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 2.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 254.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest group of suppliers for prepared sweetcorn to Asia included the United States with 24.6% of imports in value terms, Hungary with 4.0%, and Russia with 3.4%. Their combined contribution was limited to 32.0% of total import value, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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