Cassava market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The cassava market in Eastern Asia opened 2018 at 10 022 thousand tonnes, supported by active imports into South Korea from Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, alongside growing Chinese demand for feed and ethanol. A decline to 8 083 thousand tonnes followed in 2019, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted supply chains and accelerated investment in cold storage infrastructure. The market recovered to 8 670 thousand tonnes in 2020 as the pandemic boosted demand for frozen foods, including cassava-based products, driven by increased at-home consumption and a preference for convenient options.

Growth resumed strongly, with the market reaching 10 807 thousand tonnes in 2021. This expansion was fueled by innovation from major players who launched new products and improved packaging to attract consumers. The upward trend continued into 2022, pushing the market volume to 12 498 thousand tonnes, sustained by robust demand for convenient frozen foods in Japan despite rising raw material costs, supported by television advertising and new product launches.

Market volume contracted to 10 877 thousand tonnes in 2023. By 2024, import volumes fell sharply, reflecting a slowdown in Chinese cassava import demand and increased processing capacity in Vietnam, which altered regional trade flows. Concurrently, the region saw significant expansion in cold storage warehousing and a shift in food expiration labeling systems, enhancing the efficiency of the frozen supply chain.

Production cassava in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

Cassava production in Eastern Asia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 5 112 K t of cassava, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 1.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%.

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

Exports cassava from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated significantly, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 20 times. In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 0.1 K t of cassava, representing a decrease of 79.1% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.2 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 390.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore—collectively absorbed 24.5% of total cassava exports in kind from Eastern Asia.

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, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2017, with a 33-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 0.1 M $ US of cassava, down by 78.0% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.2 M $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a surge of 942.1%.

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

Data for 2017–2020 indicate that exports in value terms of cassava from Eastern Asia were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Malaysia accounted for 8.1% of exports in value terms, Singapore for 1.5%, and Thailand for 1.2%, with these three countries jointly representing only 10.8% of total 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 cassava to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, cassava imports into Eastern Asia increased. In 2020, the import volume reached 3 558 K t, which is 17.4% higher year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 57.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 032 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 40.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Thailand played the leading role in imports in kind, with a share of 82.0% of total flows, while other markets together accounted for the remainder.

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, M $ US

After a two-year decline, cassava shipments to Eastern Asia from abroad increased. In 2020, the import volume was recorded at 834 M $ US, marking a notable advance of 21.5% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 44.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 686 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 41.8%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Thailand was the dominant supplier of cassava to Eastern Asia, accounting for 82.5% of total imports in value terms, with other countries sharing the remaining volume.

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

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