Buckwheat market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The Chinese buckwheat market volume increased from 489 thousand tons in 2018 to 527 thousand tons in 2019, supported by agricultural policy adjustments and industry restructuring that encouraged production. This growth was interrupted in 2020 when the market fell to 494 thousand tons, as drought in key growing provinces like Shanxi reduced harvests and COVID-19 pandemic disruptions severely limited imports.

Market volume recovered to 522 thousand tons in 2021, primarily due to a significant rebound in buckwheat imports and a continued drop in exports, reflecting a shift in trade structure. The market stabilized around 513 thousand tons in 2022, with rising consumer health awareness and improvements in processing technology helping to sustain demand for a wider variety of buckwheat-based products.

A sharp expansion to 618 thousand tons occurred in 2023, fueled by the maturation of e-commerce and distributor networks, which facilitated large-scale sales, and by strong growth in new product segments like low-fat and bagged buckwheat noodles. Increased activity from major companies intensified market competition. In 2024, climate-related challenges affected production, while sustained consumer focus on healthy eating continued to support demand.

Production buckwheat in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China was one of the world's top buckwheat producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking second globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of buckwheat, 2017-2020

World map of production of buckwheat, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 504.0 K t of buckwheat, marking a slight decrease of 1.7% compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 490.2 K t, while the peak was recorded in 2019 at 513.0 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 3.7%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, rising by 4.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's buckwheat production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 348.5 M $ US, representing a 21.1% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 16.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 263.6 M $ US, with the most substantial decline that year at 12.0%.

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

Exports buckwheat from China

Exports in kind, t

China's buckwheat exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 13 169 t, a 41.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 52.9%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -22.2%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 28 195 t, with the largest increase that year at 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan accounted for 85.5% of China's total buckwheat exports in volume, while the remaining exports were distributed among a diverse group of smaller countries.

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 buckwheat export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 107 K $ US, a 28.2% drop compared to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 44.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -17.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Japan dominated China's buckwheat export structure in value terms, holding an 82.6% share of total flows, with other markets contributing relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports buckwheat to China

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 325-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China's buckwheat imports totaled 3 388 t, a 90.7% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 36 506 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24 246.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary partner for China's buckwheat imports in volume, accounting for 99.7% 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

The market displayed an unstable trend over this period. Import value peaked in 2019 and dropped to its lowest in 2017, with a 294-fold fluctuation. In 2020, China imported 1 173 K $ US worth of buckwheat, down 88.1% from 2019. The highest value was in 2019 at 9 856 K $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 20 576.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, China's buckwheat imports in value terms were almost entirely linked to Russia, which held a 99.3% share 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