Asparagus market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Asian asparagus production and market volume showed consistent growth from 2018 to 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by the industry's strategic shift from export orientation to supplying the vast domestic market, which began in 2017. Cultivation areas for green asparagus continued to widen across major producing regions, supported by yield-enhancing techniques like the 'leave mother stem for harvesting' method and the adoption of greenhouse cultivation. These methods extended the harvesting period and allowed for multiple harvests per year, directly increasing output.

Growth was further supported by rising consumer focus on health and food safety, which boosted demand for organic asparagus. Government policy support for organic agriculture facilitated the expansion of certified cultivation areas and encouraged investments in the supply chain, including standardized planting bases and advanced packaging. The development of the frozen asparagus segment and the罐头 industry also contributed to market diversification and value addition.

The market's evolution was closely linked to changes in distribution. The rapid growth of online fresh food e-commerce and new retail models became a significant sales channel, especially among younger consumers. Concurrent investments in cold chain logistics helped maintain product freshness from farm to table. Regional expansions, such as the substantial increase in greenhouse facilities in Xinjiang's Shache County, provided concrete examples of how localized production growth fed into the overall market expansion.

Production asparagus in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Asparagus production in Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Asia produced 7 721 thousand tons of asparagus, marking a slight improvement of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's asparagus production value has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output of asparagus in Asia was valued at 22 879 million US dollars, representing a significant increase of 15.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%.

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

Exports asparagus from Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 127 tons and peaked in 2018 at 3 120 tons, resulting in a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, asparagus deliveries from Asia were recorded at 2 312 tons, up by 105.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 63.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Asia (not elsewhere specified), Switzerland, and the Netherlands—together absorbed 57.0% of total asparagus exports in kind from Asia.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Exports were at their lowest in 2019 and reached their highest in 2018, with a 2.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Asia exported 6.9 million US dollars worth of asparagus, showing an increase of 132.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2.9 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 8.2 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 64.1%.

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

The partner structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Asia (not elsewhere specified) accounted for 8.7% of exports in value terms, the Netherlands for 4.7%, and Germany for 4.1%. Together, these three markets represented only 17.6% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports asparagus to Asia

Imports in kind, t

Asparagus deliveries to Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 15 922 tons, reflecting a modest drop of 7.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 18 910 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 8.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for asparagus imports in kind to Asia were Mexico (40.2% of imports in kind), Australia (15.6% of imports in kind), and the United States (9.6% of imports in kind). Together, these three countries accounted for 65.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's volume of asparagus imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 97.6 million US dollars, showing a modest decline of 7.7% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 111.8 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico (42.4% of imports in value terms), Australia (17.1% of imports in value terms), and Peru (11.1% of imports in value terms) made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.6% of total flows.

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

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