Buckwheat market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The buckwheat market in Eastern Asia grew in 2019, reaching 633.8 thousand tons, supported by the industry's significant potential and research highlighting the health benefits of buckwheat protein, which boosted consumer demand. This expansion was interrupted in 2020 when market volume fell to 574.2 thousand tons due to abnormal weather in key production areas and COVID-19 pandemic disruptions, which constrained supply and led to a sharp decline in imports.

Market volume recovered to 598.3 thousand tons in 2021, facilitated by a notable shift in trade structure with rising imports and falling exports, alongside agricultural supply-side reforms promoting higher-quality seed varieties. While heightened health consciousness and optimized processing technology continued to drive demand for buckwheat products in 2022, a slight market contraction to 590.7 thousand tons occurred as import volumes eased and exports increased.

A substantial surge in imports propelled the market to 693.8 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was underpinned by persistent health-driven consumer demand, the maturation of domestic e-commerce and distribution networks for processed goods, and climate-related challenges affecting domestic yields. Major international companies, including Homestead Organics and Birkett Mills, strengthened their market presence, aligning with global sector trends.

Production buckwheat in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of buckwheat, 2017-2020

World map of production of buckwheat, 2017-2020

In 2019, Eastern Asia produced 558.3 thousand tonnes of buckwheat, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production declined to 550.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, a slight decrease of 1.4% from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 522.1 thousand tonnes. The most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2019 with a 6.9% rise, while the largest decline was in 2018 with a 4.2% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, buckwheat production in Eastern Asia experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 726 million US dollars, representing a 13.7% decrease from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 4 316 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a 3.6% rise.

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

Exports buckwheat from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 360 tonnes, marking an 85.3% decline from the previous year. However, in 2020, Eastern Asia's buckwheat export volume surged to 8 392 tonnes, representing a dramatic 255.5% increase compared to 2019. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2019, exports changed by a factor of 7.1.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, France and Asia, not elsewhere specified remained the leading markets for buckwheat exports from Eastern Asia in volume terms, together accounting for 5.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Asia's buckwheat export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume was recorded at 9 563 thousand US dollars, which is 28.3% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 42.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 16.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, exports in value terms of buckwheat from Eastern Asia were not concentrated on a few key markets. France accounted for 4.2% of exports, the United States for 1.2%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified for 1.1%. Together, these three markets represented just 6.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports buckwheat to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of increase, buckwheat imports to Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, the region imported approximately 32 261 tonnes of buckwheat, reflecting a 58.6% decrease from 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 77 881 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 27.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.1%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a 60.5% rise.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Russia accounted for 37.7% of buckwheat imports to Eastern Asia in volume terms, the United States for 25.5%, and Brazil for 3.2%. Together, these three countries absorbed 66.3% of total imports, making them the main sources.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported buckwheat volumes in Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 25 916 thousand US dollars worth of buckwheat, which is 37.5% lower than in 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 42 428 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 30.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.3%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a 14.4% rise.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, three main markets — the United States, Russia, and Brazil — together absorbed 64.1% of total imports in value terms of buckwheat to Eastern Asia.

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

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