Cabbages market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cabbage market in South-eastern Asia expanded in volume from 3.0 to 3.2 million tonnes. This growth was initially supported by Indonesia's 'Making Indonesia 4.0' industrial roadmap, which aimed to stimulate local food production, including vegetables. Concurrently, the modernization of Singapore's grocery retail sector, with a shift from traditional to modern trade channels, improved product distribution and consumer access. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused farm and factory shutdowns, disrupting supply chains, but a sharp rise in imports helped sustain overall market volume.

Market value rose sharply in 2021 to 2.8 billion US dollars, driven by a strong premiumization trend where consumers favored higher-quality produce, increasing the average value of cabbages sold. While physical volume continued to grow to 3.5 million tonnes in 2022, the market value fell by over 20% that year, indicating a shift in prices or product mix. By 2023, volume receded slightly to 3.4 million tonnes, while value recovered to 2.4 billion US dollars.

In 2024, the food and beverage sector in Singapore saw intense activity with thousands of new brand entries and closures, fueled by rising operational costs and changing consumer preferences, including growing interest in vegan diets and sustainability. These trends, alongside global supply chain disruptions, impacted trade patterns, leading to a significant increase in cabbage imports to 951 thousand tonnes.

Production cabbages in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

In 2018, South-eastern Asia's cabbage production hit its lowest point at 2 764 K t, marking a 4.5% decline. The following year, 2019, saw a significant rebound with production reaching its peak of 2 937 K t, representing a 6.3% increase. By 2020, production slightly decreased to 2 918 K t, a modest 0.6% drop from the previous year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South-eastern Asia's cabbage production value has risen for two consecutive years. In 2018, it recorded its minimum at 1 704 M $ US, with a slight 0.1% decline. By 2020, the value increased to 2 064 M $ US, up 17.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 20.9%, averaging a 6.5% compound annual growth rate.

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

Exports cabbages from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, South-eastern Asia's cabbage exports declined in 2020. In 2019, exports peaked at 78.3 K t, showing a substantial 23.9% increase. The following year, exports fell to 61.9 K t, reflecting a 21.0% decrease compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, and Japan consistently represented the largest share of South-eastern Asia's cabbage exports in volume, accounting for 38.7% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increase, South-eastern Asia's cabbage exports in value terms declined in 2020. In 2019, exports reached their highest point at 46.8 M $ US, with a notable 20.1% rise. By 2020, exports dropped to 43.8 M $ US, a 6.5% fall year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 19.5%, equivalent to a 6.1% annualized rate.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of South-eastern Asia's cabbages by value were Asia, not elsewhere specified (31.8% of exports), India (1.7%), and the United Arab Emirates (1.6%). Together, these three accounted for 35.0% of total export value, amidst a diverse range of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports cabbages to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, South-eastern Asia's cabbage imports in volume hit their lowest at 250.0 K t, with a 26.1% decline. The following year, imports surged to 376.7 K t in 2020, marking a 50.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 16.4%, averaging a 5.2% annualized growth rate.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and the United Kingdom dominated South-eastern Asia's cabbage imports in volume, forming a duopoly that captured 80.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2019, South-eastern Asia's cabbage imports in value reached their minimum at 121.8 M $ US, declining by 25.4%. By 2020, imports jumped to 183.8 M $ US, a 50.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 22.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, China was the predominant player in South-eastern Asia's cabbage imports by value, absorbing 79.7% of total flows, while numerous smaller partners made up the remainder.

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

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