Cassava market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the cassava market volume in Southern Asia remained stable at around 5.2 million tons, supported by growing consumer demand for gluten-free products and government initiatives promoting modern processing techniques. The market then surged by 21% to 6.4 million tons in 2020, driven primarily by increased demand for shelf-stable cassava products during the COVID-19 pandemic and rising use of cassava in ethanol production due to government biofuel blending programs.

Growth continued into 2021, with market volume peaking at 7.3 million tons following the expansion of cassava cultivation areas, the introduction of higher-yielding varieties, and significant investments by major companies in processing capacity. However, the market contracted by 10% to 6.5 million tons in 2022 and a further 3.5% to 6.3 million tons in 2023, a period that also saw the construction of new production facilities in Laos and the launch of innovative products like fortified cassava flour and starch-based bioplastics.

In 2024, the industry confronted El Niño-induced drought and cassava mosaic disease affecting supply, while simultaneously witnessing substantial investments in new processing plants across Southeast Asia and the development of cassava-based biodegradable packaging and sustainable aviation fuel projects.

Production cassava in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

In 2019, Southern Asia produced 6,375 thousand metric tons of cassava, which represents a 21.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 42.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.5%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.3%.

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

Exports cassava from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Cassava exports from Southern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 5,061 metric tons, marking a 2.7% decrease from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 12.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 6,564 metric tons, which represented a 46.4% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with exports dropping by 20.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates dominated cassava exports from Southern Asia, accounting for 85.8% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among a variety of other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cassava exports from Southern Asia increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3,752 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 9.0% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the value of exports grew by 35.9%, which translates to an average annual increase of 10.8%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates was the primary destination for cassava exports from Southern Asia in value terms, capturing 76.6% of total export revenue. Other markets accounted for the remainder, with no single country holding a significant share.

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

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

Imports cassava to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Cassava imports into Southern Asia showed significant fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. The lowest point was in 2018, with imports totaling just 2 metric tons, representing a 98.7% decline from the previous year. In contrast, imports peaked in 2020 at 167 metric tons, which was a dramatic increase of 5,626.8% compared to 2019. Overall, the gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was substantial, with a 90-fold difference.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia were the main sources of cassava imports into Southern Asia by volume, together accounting for 2.2% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cassava imports into Southern Asia increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 3,752 thousand US dollars, up 3.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 3.0%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 162 thousand US dollars, which marked a 4.7% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports rising by 4.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia remained the key suppliers of cassava to Southern Asia in value terms, jointly representing 3.8% of total import value.

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

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