Prepared sweetcorn market in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for prepared sweetcorn in Latin America and the Caribbean grew from 40,320 t in 2018 to a peak of 60,014 t in 2020, driven primarily by rising imports. A significant contraction followed, with volume falling to 42,541 t in 2022. This decline coincided with drought conditions that affected national corn production, tightening the supply of raw materials and reducing overall market availability.

Market volume rebounded strongly to 55,418 t in 2023, aligning with a broader expansion of the Latin American corn market and sustained demand for sweetcorn for fresh consumption. Improved access to agricultural financing supported sector activity during this period. In 2024, imports rose further to 64,378 t while exports fell, reflecting continued reliance on foreign supply amidst factors like drought and price fluctuations in the domestic white corn sector.

Production prepared sweetcorn in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

Latin America and the Caribbean saw their prepared sweetcorn production decline for the second year in a row. In 2018, production reached its highest point at 1 860 tonnes, marking a significant 16.3% increase. However, the following year brought the largest decline of 11.8%. By 2020, production had fallen slightly by 2.2% year-on-year to 1 603 tonnes.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports prepared sweetcorn from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

Exports of prepared sweetcorn from Latin America and the Caribbean dropped for the third consecutive year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports plummeted by 90.1%, with an average annual decline of 53.7%. In 2020, exports totaled 1 483 tonnes, down 0.6% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and the United States consistently accounted for the largest share of prepared sweetcorn exports from Latin America and the Caribbean, representing 2.2% of total export volumes.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of prepared sweetcorn exports from Latin America and the Caribbean rebounded. In 2019, export value hit its lowest point at 18 027 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 13.9% recorded that year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5%, averaging a 1.7% annual decline. However, in 2020, export value rose by 13.9% to 20 540 thousand US dollars.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia and the United States were the primary markets for prepared sweetcorn exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, together accounting for 2.9% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports prepared sweetcorn to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

Imports of prepared sweetcorn into Latin America and the Caribbean grew for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 41 453 tonnes, with the largest decline of 46.8% occurring that year. The following year saw the largest increase of 30.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 23.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.4%. However, in 2020, imports rose by 10.8% to 59 893 tonnes compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Thailand, and China were the main sources of prepared sweetcorn imports into Latin America and the Caribbean in volume terms. The United States accounted for 33.9% of imports, Thailand for 22.1%, and China for 10.4%, together making up 66.4% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of prepared sweetcorn imports into Latin America and the Caribbean increased for the second year in a row. In 2018, import value was at its lowest at 69 102 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 2.3% recorded that year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 12.2%, averaging a 3.9% annual increase. In 2020, import value rose by 13.0% to 79 396 thousand US dollars compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Thailand, and China were the largest suppliers of prepared sweetcorn to Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms. The United States held a 43.0% share of imports, Thailand 14.5%, and China 9.0%, collectively representing 66.5% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020