Cabbages market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The Chinese cabbage market expanded steadily from 2018 to 2021, with consumption volume growing from 34.4 million tonnes to 35.4 million tonnes and market value rising from $20.4 billion to $27.5 billion. This growth was underpinned by reliable production bases such as the Hai'an Farm in Jiangsu, which supplied major cities, and strengthened market supervision that maintained product quality.

In 2022, market volume saw a slight correction to 35.2 million tonnes, while value dropped sharply to $22.1 billion. Oversupply became a key issue, as concentrated harvesting and weather conditions led to gluts and depressed prices. Simultaneously, new legislation in agriculture and environmental protection aimed to standardize the market and promote green farming practices, encouraging sustainable production among cooperatives and large-scale growers.

By 2023, volume stabilized at 35.2 million tonnes, though value continued to decline to $17.1 billion. The introduction of a national quality grade standard for cabbages and government policies supporting vegetable industry modernization, including facility upgrades and centralized seedling centers, helped maintain production stability. Emerging segments like organic vegetables and microgreens, where cabbage varieties play a role, also gained traction.

Production cabbages in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained its position as the world's leading producer of cabbages by volume.

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

China's cabbage production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 36 242 K t of cabbages, marking a slight increase of 1.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's cabbage production value also increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 23 455 M $ US, reflecting a moderate year-over-year rise of 6.0%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%.

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

Exports cabbages from China

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, China's cabbage export volumes declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 921.6 K t, down 6.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 13.2%, with a CAGR of 4.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 982.6 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for China's cabbage exports by volume were Vietnam (28.7% of exports), Malaysia (19.7%), and Hong Kong (16.3%). Together, these three destinations accounted for 64.7% of total export flows.

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

Following two years of growth, the value of China's cabbage exports decreased. In 2020, exports were valued at 596.4 M $ US, a slight contraction of 2.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 31.2%, with a CAGR of 9.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 608.3 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 21.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for China's cabbage exports by value were Hong Kong (34.7% of exports), Vietnam (24.1%), and Malaysia (15.6%). Collectively, these markets represented 74.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cabbages to China

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for cabbages in China showed an unstable trend during this period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 10.2-fold difference between the low of 0.0 K t in 2018 and the high of 0.1 K t in 2020. In 2020, imports reached 0.1 K t, a dramatic increase of 34.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 68.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 660.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China's cabbage imports by volume were highly concentrated, with Asia, not elsewhere specified, accounting for 99.6% 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

The import market for cabbages in China exhibited volatility throughout the timeframe. There was a 13.2-fold fluctuation between the trough of 0.0 M $ US in 2018 and the peak of 0.0 M $ US in 2020. In 2020, imports were valued at 0.0 M $ US, a sharp increase of 104.5% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, dropping by 48.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 543.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for China's cabbage imports by value was dominated by Asia, not elsewhere specified, which consistently represented 98.3% 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