Prepared sweetcorn market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared sweetcorn in Eastern Asia experienced significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. In physical terms, market volume declined from 124 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 110.4 thousand tonnes in 2020, then surged to 133.6 thousand tonnes in 2021, before dropping sharply to 56.5 thousand tonnes in 2023. In value terms, a similar pattern emerged, peaking at USD 186.3 million in 2021.

The sharp market contraction in 2023 to 56.5 thousand tonnes was driven by a substantial rise in exports, which reached 152.8 thousand tonnes, coupled with a drop in domestic production. Industry sources highlight that exports of non-vinegar prepared sweetcorn, primarily to Germany, became a key driver, drawing supply away from the domestic market. Concurrently, consumer preferences shifted towards healthy, organic, and non-GMO products, spurring processing innovations such as vacuum freeze-drying to preserve nutrients.

In 2024, industry initiatives including rural revitalization policies and the release of corn silage safety reports set a framework for market development. The growth of e-commerce and consumer awareness of the low-glycemic index benefits of sweetcorn continued to shape long-term consumption trends.

Production prepared sweetcorn in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's prepared sweetcorn production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 75 000 tonnes of prepared sweetcorn, marking a 33.9% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 87.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 23.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After rising for two years, prepared sweetcorn production in Eastern Asia declined in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 118.1 million US dollars, representing a slight decrease of 2.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 75.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 20.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 121.1 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 37.8% also occurring that year.

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

Exports prepared sweetcorn from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Asia's prepared sweetcorn export volume has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 81.0 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 35.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 99.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in volume terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Russia accounted for 16.1% of exports, Nigeria for 5.2%, and the United States for 5.0%, together representing 26.2% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 73.8%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After increasing for two years, prepared sweetcorn exports from Eastern Asia declined in value terms. In 2020, exports amounted to 127.6 million US dollars, a reduction of 1.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 86.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 129.1 million US dollars, and the largest annual increase of 38.2% occurred in 2018.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Russia accounted for 17.0% of exports, the Philippines for 6.9%, and Nigeria for 6.8%, together representing 30.7% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position during this period.

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

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

Imports prepared sweetcorn to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Prepared sweetcorn imports into Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 116.5 thousand tonnes, a 4.9% reduction compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 127.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 3.0% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of prepared sweetcorn into Eastern Asia in volume terms were largely concentrated on Thailand, which accounted for 71.1% of total flows. Other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, prepared sweetcorn imports into Eastern Asia totaled 156.1 million US dollars, showing no significant change compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 2.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 156.1 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 160.5 million US dollars. The largest annual decline of 2.8% occurred in 2019, and the largest increase of 0.5% was in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was shaped primarily by Thailand and the United States, which together accounted for 90.1% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail during this period.

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

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