In 2008, France produced 270 000 tonnes (net weight) of preserved sweet corn, an increase of 12.5% on 2007, in line with the increased yield in the field.  The quantity of frozen sweet corn went up by nearly 10%, reaching 34 000 tonnes (net weight).  The total amount of sweet corn produced for processing by industry has thus increased substantially.
At the same time, other players on the European market have also seen their production levels increase.  Canned sweet corn produced in the EU went up by 7% in 2008 to 555 000 tonnes (net), the highest level for five years.  The increase was not as steep in Hungary as it was in France, with Hungary going up 3.5% to 237 000 tonnes (net).  In 2008, France thus remained the leader for canned sweet corn.
In frozen sweet corn, Hungary is a clear leader with 63 000 tonnes net and, in 2008, Hungarian production increased by 6.8%.

Export is still the main outlet for canned sweet corn produced in France with more than 60% of French exports going to northern Europe.
When there is a slump in the economy, sweet corn consumption in Europe goes down and competition on the market gets tougher.  In such a context, French exports of canned sweet corn dropped by 16% in 2008.  The main losses (ranging from 8.5% to 23.2%) were in the 15-member EU which accounts for 90% of French exports.  The principal competitor for French production is Hungary and as French exports to the EU dropped, sales from Hungary went up by 22%.  The decline in French sales shows a clear correlation with a new increase in imports to France.  After what was already a substantial rise in imports in 2007, 2008 saw a further 19% increase, including imports from Hungary (up 29%).


The trade balance, which has always been positive, has been declining and has reached the lowest level for ten years.  The surplus is approximately 100 million euros.

Over the last three years, there has been a reduction in exports from Thailand to the 27-member EU, no doubt because of the anti-dumping case filed in Brussels in 2006.  Import duties set at over 14.3% now apply to all imports from Thailand. 
Two companies had been reaping the benefit of a minimum price system applying to imports through a commitment to keep prices for exports to the EU at 2005 levels.  Given trends in commodity prices (e.g. the price of steel), that minimum was no longer in line with market prices.  The situation was threatening the ongoing viability of the business in Europe as ten other processing companies in Thailand were requesting the same advantageous conditions.
 
The European Association of Sweet Corn Processors (AETMD) together with the AGPM Sweet Corn branch expressed strong opposition to this and in June 2009 the European Commission voted for the two commitments still in force to be suspended and therefore refused approval for the other ten.
 
Thai exports to the European Union have now remained at a steady level.  But, since the anti-dumping case was filed, another development can be seen with Thai maize moving onto the Russian market where Thailand is now the main supplier.

Farmers growing sweet corn are all partners with industrial processors and have signed production contracts; each partner has to comply with strict specifications, from the field to the plate.

All seed is supplied to the farmer by the industrial partner and sweet corn is grown in the best soil so as to produce a consistently high quality crop.
As harvest time comes round, measurements are made in the field at regular intervals for an accurate assessment of the time when the kernel reaches optimal maturity, i.e. when it is soft, slightly sweet and crisp.  Sweet corn is therefore picked when moisture content is above 70%.
The ears of corn are harvested and the kernels are canned or frozen and packed in less than six hours.  This swift processing ensures that European sweet corn is perfectly fresh.  No additives or preservatives are used.  Canning and freezing are totally natural thermal processes.


As soon as the ears of sweet corn are delivered to the plant, they are husked by machine to remove the leaves protecting the kernels.
                                                                                                    
The sorting stage separates the cobs, discarding any unwanted elements (leaves, stems and any damaged or marked ears).  An automatic cutting machine with a circular blade shears the kernels off the cob.  The kernels are rinsed and any remaining impurities float to the surface of the water.  The sweet corn is then drained and aired to remove any remaining skin or membrane.
 
A final visual check is done electronically before the final processing, to make sure that there are no mealy kernels or remaining foreign bodies such as fragments of leaf.
 
Two main products:  canned and frozen sweet corn
Two main objectives : canning and freezing.

Sweet corn is highly nutritious and has low fat content, and the fats are mainly unsaturated and therefore healthy.
Sweet corn has fewer calories and more protein than rice and five times more fibre so essential for the digestive system.
It also contains all the B-group vitamins.
 
Content of canned sweet corn (average for 100g)