Aubergines market in China, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the volume of China's fresh or chilled aubergine market fluctuated within a narrow range of 34 500 to 35 600 thousand tons. At the start of the period in 2018, the active promotion of over 500 premium aubergine varieties from Hebei Province into the Beijing market enhanced the distribution of regional specialty produce. Concurrently, damage to crops in the key Shouguang area from adverse weather created local supply constraints, though the nationwide impact on prices was limited.

Following a rise to 35 574 thousand tons in 2019, market volume dipped to 34 478 thousand tons in 2020, then gradually recovered to 34 972 thousand tons by 2022 before a slight contraction to 34 767 thousand tons in 2023. In contrast, the market's value showed more pronounced movement: a decline in 2019-2020 was followed by a sharp increase to $53.8 billion in 2022, then a drop to $46.4 billion in 2023.

Throughout the period, the market maintained resilience in physical terms, with minimal exports indicating a domestically oriented sector. The shifts in value reflected price volatility, likely tied to broader economic conditions and consumer demand patterns.

Production aubergines in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, China was the leading producer of aubergines from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, aubergine production in China experienced a decline. In 2019, production peaked at 35 591 thousand tonnes, but by 2020, it had fallen to 34 494 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 3.1% compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 3.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 3.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's aubergine production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 43 611 million US dollars, down by 2.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the production value decreased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%.

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

Exports aubergines from China

Exports in kind, t

Aubergine exports from China declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 16 381 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 0.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 15.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 458 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 30.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two countries—Hong Kong and Russia—accounted for the majority of China's aubergine exports in volume, with other markets playing smaller individual roles.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's aubergine export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 20 710 thousand US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The peak value was in 2018 at 24 026 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 13.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 25.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the dominant destination for China's aubergine exports in value terms, representing 74.1% of total flows, with the remainder spread across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports aubergines to China

Imports in kind, t

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand dominated China's aubergine imports in volume, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand effectively concentrated all of China's aubergine imports in value terms, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

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

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