Legume bran, sharps and residues market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for legume bran, sharps and residues in China was 37 643 t in 2018, a year marked by strengthened state grain reserve management and policies promoting legume cultivation technology. These measures aimed to ensure food security and improve agricultural supply chains, supporting overall production. The market remained stable at 37 555 t in 2019 before expanding sharply to 51 461 t in 2020.

Following a slight decrease to 50 266 t in 2021, market volume contracted to 40 297 t in 2022. This downturn aligned with the implementation of new group standards for allergen testing in food and updated regulations for feed additives, which introduced stricter quality and safety requirements for legume-based products. The market then recovered robustly, reaching 55 663 t in 2023.

In 2024, the regulatory landscape evolved with the introduction of the updated national food additive standard GB 2760-2024 and policies advancing the industrialization of genetically modified soybeans. Furthermore, guidelines aimed at building a diversified food supply system and promoting high-quality development of the forage grass industry continued to shape the market's framework.

Production legume bran, sharps and residues in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, China was one of the world's top producers of legume bran, sharps, and residues, ranking second globally by production volume.

Top producers of legume bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of legume bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 67 569 tonnes of legume bran, sharps, and residues, marking a significant 26.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 55%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 15.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.6%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 28.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of legume bran, sharps, and residues in China was valued at 22 151 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 7.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 37.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 11.2%. The largest decrease was in 2019, at 5.8%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 35.9%.

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

Exports legume bran, sharps and residues from China

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, China's cross-border shipments of legume bran, sharps, and residues totaled 16 674 tonnes, reflecting a slight year-on-year increase of 2.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 16 203 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 19 777 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 18.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan and South Korea together accounted for 83.6% of China's total exports of legume bran, sharps, and residues in volume terms, with other countries contributing a more diverse but smaller share.

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

Legume bran, sharps, and residues shipments from China declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 5 466 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial drop of 12.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 748 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 19.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 16.8%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the main destinations for China's exports of legume bran, sharps, and residues in value terms were Japan, with 43.0% of total exports, South Korea, with 35.8%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 9.9%. Together, these three accounted for 88.8% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports legume bran, sharps and residues to China

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import volumes peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a sevenfold difference between these years. In 2020, China's imports of legume bran, sharps, and residues reached 566 tonnes, showing a strong year-on-year improvement of 55.7%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 363 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred that same year, at 75.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, South Korea, with 59.6% of imports in volume terms, India, with 17.1%, and Japan, with 8.3%, were the key partners for China's imports of legume bran, sharps, and residues, collectively making up 85.1% 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

China's imports of legume bran, sharps, and residues declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 287 thousand US dollars, which is 10.8% less than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 80.8%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 42.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, with 53.4% of imports in value terms, India, with 24.4%, and Japan, with 9.2%, formed the primary group of sources for China's imports of legume bran, sharps, and residues, together accounting for 87.1% of total import flows.

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

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