Apple market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh apple market in Eastern Asia expanded from 40.3 million tonnes in 2018 to 50.8 million tonnes in 2023, a 26% increase. This growth was supported by a steady rise in production and agricultural output value, which first exceeded CNY 200 billion in 2018 and remained at elevated levels.

Apple consumption continued to grow, approaching 46 million tonnes in 2022 as household spending power increased. By 2023, the industry diversified with new processed products such as concentrated apple juice, cider, and vinegar, while the launch of apple futures and 'insurance + futures' models helped stabilize farmer incomes and encouraged production.

Planting area for apple orchards surpassed 2900 million mu, with 70% of new orchards adopting domestic varieties, further securing supply. Although the market maintained a trade surplus with exports far exceeding imports, this structural feature did not directly drive the overall market volume expansion.

Production apple in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apple, 2017-2020

World map of production of apple, 2017-2020

Apple production in Eastern Asia has grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 46 038 thousand tons of apples, representing a 3.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 41 253 thousand tons, marking the largest decline of 5.1% during this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant increase, with production jumping by 7.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Apple production in Eastern Asia has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the value of apple output reached 62 686 million US dollars, up by 9.7% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 27.1%, averaging an annualized rate of 8.3%.

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

Exports apple from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, apple export volumes from Eastern Asia have rebounded. In 2020, the region exported 1 175 thousand tons of apples, showing a slight increase of 2.8% from 2019. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall exports decreased by 17.5%, with an average annual decline of 6.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 143 thousand tons, while the largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 13.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, apple exports from Eastern Asia were distributed across numerous countries. The top three destinations—Bangladesh (14.0% of exports), the Philippines (10.8%), and Indonesia (10.5%)—together accounted for just 35.3% of total export flows.

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 two years of decline, the value of apple exports from Eastern Asia has increased. In 2020, exports reached 1 599 million US dollars, reflecting a modest gain of 8.9% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 469 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 8.8% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, apple export values from Eastern Asia were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Vietnam (14.0% of exports), Thailand (11.0%), and the Philippines (10.4%) were the leading destinations, but their combined share amounted to only 35.5% of total export flows.

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 apple to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, apple import volumes into Eastern Asia totaled 280 thousand tons, representing a 22.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 253 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 359 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 42.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for apple imports into Eastern Asia were New Zealand (24.1% of imports), the United States (17.7%), and Chile (11.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 53.6% of total import flows.

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

Following two years of growth, the value of apple imports into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 381 million US dollars, marking a 23.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 19.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 500 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 48.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for apple imports into Eastern Asia in value terms were New Zealand (34.7% of imports), the United States (17.8%), and Chile (11.1%). These three countries combined represented 63.6% of total import flows.

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

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