Flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market for flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers in China started the period with substantial production and export activity, supported by national agricultural policies. The years 2019 and 2020 saw a shift in consumer behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased demand for healthy and gluten-free foods. This trend raised the market's monetary value significantly, even as physical volume dipped slightly due to global supply chain disruptions and volatility in raw material prices.

From 2021 onward, the market adapted to stricter food labeling and packaging regulations, as well as government incentives for sustainable agricultural practices. A notable rise in exports, fueled by growing international demand for gluten-free products and streamlined export procedures, helped boost domestic production and market volume in physical terms from 2022. Large industry players increased their research and development efforts, introducing new starch-based products and applications. Despite this volume growth, the market's value in monetary terms continued to decline, and by 2023, the physical market size stabilized around 95 000 t.

Production flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, China ranked as the 12th largest global producer of flour or powder made from sago, roots, or tubers.

Top producers of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

World map of production of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

China's production of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 91 508 tonnes, marking a 5.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 99 409 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's production value for flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 471.5 million US dollars, representing a 17.9% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the production value grew by 35.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.6%.

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

Exports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers from China

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, China exported 2 402 tonnes of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers, a 5.4% increase from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 279 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 591 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.0% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with an 8.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for China's exports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers were Asia (not elsewhere specified) with 34.4% of exports, Malaysia with 17.7%, and Hong Kong with 14.7%. Together, these three markets accounted for 66.8% of total export flows.

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

In 2020, China's export value for flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers reached 12 376 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 31.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 43.8%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 12.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 6.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the leading destination for China's exports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers in value terms, accounting for 25.9% of exports. Malaysia followed with 21.2%, and the United States with 18.9%. These three markets together represented 66.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers to China

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend during this period. In 2020, China imported 348 tonnes of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers, a sharp increase of 618.0% year-on-year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 49 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 8 642 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 99.4% drop, and imports peaked in 2018 before bottoming out in 2019, with a 178-fold difference between these years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers to China were almost entirely sourced from Laos, which accounted for 95.7% of total import flows.

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 reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, China's import value for flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers totaled 811 thousand US dollars, up by 212.9% from 2019. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 259 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 3 991 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 93.5% drop, and imports peaked in 2018 before reaching a trough in 2019, with a 15-fold difference between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Laos dominated China's import structure for flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers in value terms, with a share of 75.8% of total flows. Other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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

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