Market research

Casein market in China

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The casein market in China expanded from 9 082 tons in 2018 to 24 844 tons in 2023. Initial growth was supported by the national rural revitalization strategy, which modernized dairy farming and strengthened industry infrastructure. Consumer awareness of A2 beta-casein milk, promoted for its digestive benefits, began to rise during this period. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 did not reduce demand; instead, it pushed companies to develop online sales channels, helping maintain market expansion.

Post-pandemic recovery intensified competition and spurred investment in high-end casein products. A significant driver emerged in 2022 when the updated Dietary Guidelines raised the recommended daily dairy intake to 300–500 grams, directly encouraging greater consumption of dairy proteins. That same year, the technical approval of the A2β-casein milk group standard, which set protein content above national levels, improved product quality and consumer confidence. By 2023, demand for A2 milk was accelerating rapidly, aided by technological advances such as precision fermentation for casein production, which opened new avenues for market growth.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in China
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production casein in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked 14th globally in casein production.

Top producers of casein, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of casein, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

China's casein production grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 3 378 tonnes, a modest increase of 9.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 16.1%, averaging 5.1% annually. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 2 907 tonnes, which saw a slight decline of 0.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.1%)	6.4%	9.2%	5.1%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

China's casein production value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 18 838 thousand US dollars, a strong rise of 12.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 15.8%, with an average annual rate of 5.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.2%	1.3%	12.9%	5.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports casein from China

Exports in kind, t

China's casein exports expanded for the second straight year. In 2020, exports totalled 869 tonnes, up 22.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 23.4%, averaging 7.3% per year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 477 tonnes, which dropped by 32.3%. The largest growth occurred in 2019, with a 48.2% increase.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(32.3%)	48.2%	22.9%	7.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China exported casein to numerous markets. Even the top destinations—France, South Korea, and Germany—combined accounted for only 48.5% of total export volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

China's casein export value rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 4 845 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 27.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 23%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 2 702 thousand US dollars, which fell by 31.4%. The highest growth was in 2019, with a 41.1% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(31.4%)	41.1%	27.1%	7.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China's casein export value was spread across many partner countries. The top three—South Korea (16.0% of export value), France (15.7%), and Thailand (13.7%)—together made up only 45.4% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports casein to China

Imports in kind, t

China's casein imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 9 446 tonnes, a 37.0% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 102%, averaging 26.4% per year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	42.2%	3.7%	37.0%	26.4%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, New Zealand dominated China's casein imports by volume, holding an 80.0% share, while other markets accounted for the remainder.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

China's casein import value increased for the third straight year. In 2020, imports were valued at 80 663 thousand US dollars, a substantial gain of 66.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value jumped by 141.6%, with an average annual rate of 34.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	29.2%	12.5%	66.3%	34.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, New Zealand was the central source for China's casein imports by value, accounting for 75.7% of the total, with other markets playing a smaller role.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io