Cereal germ market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the cereal germ market in China expanded from 3 167 thousand tons to 3 504 thousand tons. This increase coincided with the growing focus on the whole grain industry, where state authorities began promoting standards and research. At the same time, rising consumer health awareness and the entry of companies into developing whole grain products like whole wheat and oats stimulated demand.

After the 2019 peak, output dipped slightly to 3 373 thousand tons in 2020, a period when the industry faced constraints from an underdeveloped supply chain and incomplete standard systems. However, research institutions and companies intensified efforts to improve processing technologies. By 2021, production recovered to 3 463 thousand tons, supported by policy emphasis on grain saving and balanced nutrition. The market stabilized at 3 453 thousand tons in 2022 as the whole grain food market broadened and consumer demand became more diverse.

In 2023, cereal germ production reached 3 524 thousand tons. This growth was underpinned by the gradual refinement of national standards and the release of technical specifications, which helped standardize the industry. Technological innovation emerged as a key driver, enhancing the quality and shelf-stability of whole grain products, including germ.

Production cereal germ in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Top producers of cereal germ, 2017-2020

World map of production of cereal germ, 2017-2020

China's cereal germ production saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2020, production reached 3 373 K t, marking a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 8.7%, averaging an annual increase of 2.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 3 504 K t, with the largest year-on-year growth also occurring that year at 10.6%.

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

Exports cereal germ from China

Exports in kind, t

Cereal germ exports from China fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume dropped to 89.7 t, a sharp decline of 68.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 66.8%, averaging an annual drop of 30.8%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 312.4 t, which also saw the largest increase of 15.6% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan and South Korea were the dominant destinations for cereal germ exports from China, together accounting for 94.6% of total shipments, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

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, K $ US

The value of cereal germ exports from China declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 132.3 K $ US, down 43.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 41.5%, with an average annual decrease of 16.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 240.1 K $ US, which also recorded the largest increase of 6.1% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and South Korea together accounted for 91.9% of China's cereal germ export value, with Japan contributing 69.3% and South Korea 22.6%. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports cereal germ to China

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Import volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with an 8.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cereal germ imports into China amounted to 107.1 t, a dramatic increase of 747.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum was in 2019 at 12.6 t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 62.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest sources for cereal germ imports into China were South Korea, Ukraine, and Germany, which together accounted for 93.3% of total import volume.

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, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. The lowest import value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2020, with a 3.7-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, China's cereal germ import value totaled 90.2 K $ US, a sharp rise of 197.2% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of cereal germ to China in value terms were South Korea (40.5%), Germany (29.4%), and the United States (16.9%), together making up 86.8% of total import value.

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

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