Aubergines market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Asian aubergine production and market volume showed modest growth with fluctuations, rising from 51.6 million tons to 52.3 million tons. The increase in 2019 aligned with stronger global demand, reflected in rising US export volumes that year. After a contraction in 2020, the market recovered in 2021, a period when lower international aubergine prices likely supported import affordability and consumption across the region.

In 2022 and 2023, production and market size stabilized with minor declines. These years saw inflationary pressure and higher input costs, evident from consecutive price increases for aubergines in the United States, which influenced supply chains and contributed to the slight downturn. Concurrently, the aubergine seeds market in Asia-Pacific gained value, driven by pricing, consumer behavior, and economic factors.

Looking ahead to 2024, broader industry trends indicated a slight decline in global eggplant harvested area and yield, affecting supply in Asia. Offsetting this, rising health consciousness and demand for organic fresh vegetables continued to support consumer interest in aubergines across the Asia-Pacific region.

Production aubergines in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

Asia's aubergine production declined in 2020 after two years of growth. That year, the region produced 51 953 thousand tonnes, representing a slight contraction of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 52 728 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 2.8%.

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

Exports aubergines from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Asia's aubergine export volume totaled 90.4 thousand tonnes, showing a decline of 7.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 18.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 60.4 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 97.8 thousand tonnes. The largest annual decline happened in 2018 at 20.8%, and the most significant increase took place in 2019 at 62.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Asia's aubergine exports in volume terms were Russia with 8.3% of total exports, Germany with 1.7%, and Bulgaria with 0.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 10.8% of Asia's total aubergine export flows.

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

Asia's aubergine export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The region exported 94.9 million US dollars worth of aubergines that year, marking a significant year-over-year fall of 13.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 4.7%, representing an annualized growth rate of 1.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 111.7 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase also occurring that year at 23.3%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Russia, Germany, and Belarus played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of Asian aubergines in value terms. Russia accounted for 13.3% of export value, Germany for 3.8%, and Belarus for 1.3%. Their combined share reached 18.5% of Asia's total aubergine export value.

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

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

Imports aubergines to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Asia's aubergine import volume declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The region imported 38.6 thousand tonnes that year, indicating a significant decrease of 18.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 5.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 54.2 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred that same year at 33.1%.

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

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

After two years of growth, Asia's aubergine import value declined in 2020. The region imported a total of 68.9 million US dollars worth of aubergines that year, marking a fall of 17.2% compared to 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 83.2 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Egypt, and Spain were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Asia's aubergine imports by value. The Netherlands accounted for 1.8% of import value, Egypt for 0.9%, and Spain for 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 3.4% of Asia's total aubergine import flows in value terms.

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

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