Prepared sweetcorn market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, European prepared sweetcorn production remained stable at around 320 thousand tonnes. This stability was underpinned by long-standing EU antidumping measures, active since 2007 and renewed in 2019, which shielded domestic producers from low-cost imports, particularly from Thailand. In France, the leading EU producer, the sector is coordinated by the AGPM Maïs Doux group, uniting hundreds of farmers and ensuring efficient logistics where harvest reaches canneries within six hours.

Production volumes experienced fluctuations after 2020. Output fell to 285 thousand tonnes in 2022, a drop driven by a sharp spike in sweetcorn prices that peaked in May 2022 and significantly increased production costs. Recovery followed in 2023, with production rising to 333 thousand tonnes, supported by new EU antidumping investigations against Chinese imports and the extension of protective measures against Thai products, which strengthened the position of European manufacturers. Major market players like Bonduelle, Daucy, and Géant Vert continued to invest in quality, traceability, and logistics.

By 2024, France maintained its role as the top sweetcorn producer in the EU, with cultivation covering about 17 500 hectares. Corn prices had moderated after the 2022 peak, alleviating cost pressures. The European Union remained the world's second-largest corn importer, with Ukraine as a key supplier, influencing overall supply and price dynamics. The industry's focus continued on combating dumped imports, especially from China, through ongoing trade protection procedures.

Production prepared sweetcorn in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, prepared sweetcorn production in Europe increased. In 2020, production reached 318.8 K t, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 317.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 4.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of prepared sweetcorn in Europe was valued at 3 865 M $ US, showing a decrease of 12.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 8.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 806 M $ US, while the maximum value occurred in 2019 at 4 421 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 16.2%.

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

Exports prepared sweetcorn from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Foreign prepared sweetcorn supplies from Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 227.5 K t, corresponding to a decrease of 38.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 35.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 381.9 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 8.1%.

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

The country composition of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Switzerland, Kazakhstan, and Norway accounted for 1.6%, 1.6%, and 1.1% of exports in kind, respectively, together forming just 4.3% of total flows. The remaining 95.7% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe exported 589.2 M $ US of prepared sweetcorn in 2020, showing an increase of 14.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 20.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.1%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of prepared sweetcorn from Europe were spread relatively evenly. Switzerland, Norway, and Kazakhstan accounted for 1.9%, 1.5%, and 1.3% of exports in value terms, respectively, jointly accounting for only 4.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports prepared sweetcorn to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of prepared sweetcorn imports into Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume came to 276.1 K t, indicating a decline of 18.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and the United States formed the main group of destinations for imports in kind of prepared sweetcorn to Europe, with shares of 7.6%, 4.1%, and 1.7%, respectively. Together, they accounted for a combined share of 13.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Europe imported 643.6 M $ US of prepared sweetcorn in 2020, which is 8.3% higher compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 18.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and the United States were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms of prepared sweetcorn to Europe, with shares of 5.6%, 2.3%, and 2.0%, respectively. Together, they accounted for a combined share of 9.9% of total flows.

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

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