Bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for bran, sharps, and residues from cereal and legume processing in China showed overall growth from 40.9 million tonnes in 2018 to 42.4 million tonnes in 2023. After a minor dip to 40.1 million tonnes in 2019, consumption recovered steadily, supported by stable domestic production hovering around 40 million tonnes annually. A significant expansion in imports, which more than tripled from 427 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 1.6 million tonnes in 2023, was the primary driver of this market growth.

Import growth accelerated notably after 2020, reaching 2.0 million tonnes in 2024, indicating sustained external supply into the Chinese market. This rising import trend compensated for the plateau in domestic output and directly contributed to the increase in total available volume, underscoring the market's growing reliance on foreign sources of bran and residues.

The market is influenced by broader grain sector dynamics. In 2024, the Chinese government continued its minimum purchase price policy for wheat, raising the price to 2,360 yuan per tonne to support farmer incomes and stimulate wheat cultivation. This policy encourages wheat production and, consequently, the generation of bran as a milling by-product. Simultaneously, the rapid development of the whole grain industry, driven by policy support and rising consumer health awareness, is increasing grain processing volumes, which in turn boosts the output of associated residues like bran.

Production bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China held the top position globally in the production of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing.

Top producers of bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing, 2017-2020

World map of production of bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 40 148 K t of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing, marking a slight increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 39 697 K t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 40 560 K t. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, dropping by 2.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing in China was valued at 13 433 M $ US, showing a decrease of 4.1% from 2019. The lowest value was in 2018 at 13 431 M $ US, and the highest was in 2019 at 14 007 M $ US. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 4.3%.

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

Exports bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing from China

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, China exported 30.3 K t of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing, which is 8.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 27.3%, translating to an annualized rate of 8.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 20.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Japan, South Korea, and Asia, not elsewhere specified—collectively represented 74.6% of China's total exports in kind of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing.

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, M $ US

China's exports of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing in value terms have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 10.1 M $ US, reflecting a 2.6% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan (37.9% of exports in value terms), South Korea (25.4% of exports in value terms), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (8.0% of exports in value terms) led as the top buyers of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing from China, together accounting for 71.2% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports bran, sharps and residues from cereal or legume processing to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's imports of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing in volume have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 643.0 K t, surging by 46.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 103.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 26.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (31.0% of imports in kind), the United States (20.9% of imports in kind), and Kazakhstan (17.4% of imports in kind) were the primary sources for China's imports in kind of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing, jointly making up 69.3% of total import 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, M $ US

In 2020, China imported 152.3 M $ US worth of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing, up by 46.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 99.5%, with a CAGR of 25.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam (42.2% of imports in value terms), the United States (20.5% of imports in value terms), and Indonesia (16.4% of imports in value terms) were the key partners for China's imports in value terms of bran, sharps, and residues from cereal or legume processing, together representing 79.1% of total import flows.

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

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