Prepared sweetcorn market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for prepared sweetcorn in the MENA region displayed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 52 269 t, consumption dipped to 49 118 t in 2019 before jumping to a peak of 54 857 t in 2020. A subsequent sharp contraction brought the market down to 46 649 t in 2021, followed by a rebound to 51 298 t in 2022. The period concluded with another significant decline to 43 305 t in 2023, marking the lowest point in the observed timeframe.

This fluctuation was largely dictated by import dynamics, which form the majority of the regional supply. Import volumes oscillated, reaching their highest level in 2020 at 52 664 t and their lowest in 2023 at 45 563 t. Meanwhile, local production trended downward from 3 065 t in 2019 to 2 026 t in 2023, providing a diminishing share of the total market. Concurrently, exports grew steadily over the period, rising from 1 711 t in 2018 to 4 284 t in 2023, which further reduced net domestic availability.

The industry landscape saw notable developments in 2024. In July, Rijk Zwaan introduced several new high-yield sweet corn seed varieties with enhanced disease resistance, targeting increased global demand and sustainable agriculture practices. Prior to that, in April, Sakata Seed Corporation announced an expansion of its sweet corn seed distribution network across the Asia-Pacific region to serve growing emerging markets. Import volume for the year rose to 58 430 t, indicating sustained dependence on international supply chains.

Production prepared sweetcorn in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared sweetcorn, 2017-2020

In 2020, MENA produced 2 935 tons of prepared sweetcorn, marking a 4.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 14.5%, while 2019 saw the largest increase at 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports prepared sweetcorn from MENA

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports from MENA reached their lowest point in 2020 at 741 tons, representing a sharp 64.0% decline compared to 2019. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2020, exports changed by a factor of 3.1. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 20.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Sri Lanka (3.3% of exports in kind), Free Zones (2.5%), and Tanzania (1.7%) together accounted for only 7.6% of total flows, with the remaining 92.4% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

MENA's prepared sweetcorn exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 2 364 thousand US dollars, reflecting a gradual 4.0% fall compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 735 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 34.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 34.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Sri Lanka (2.4% of exports in value terms), Free Zones (2.1%), and the United States (2.0%) jointly represented 6.5% of total flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 93.5%.

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

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

Imports prepared sweetcorn to MENA

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year drop, prepared sweetcorn shipments to MENA from abroad increased in 2020. MENA imported 52 664 tons of prepared sweetcorn, up by 9.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 48 114 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (47.1% of imports in kind), China (21.6%), and the United States (9.2%) made the biggest contribution to imports in kind, jointly accounting for 78.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, MENA's prepared sweetcorn imports amounted to 68 032 thousand US dollars, up by 17.5% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 57 877 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (43.4% of imports in value terms), China (17.4%), and France (11.4%) continued to be the main suppliers of prepared sweetcorn to MENA, jointly forming 72.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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