Millet market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The millet market in China expanded significantly from 2018 to 2021, with market volume rising from 2 338 thousand tons to a high of 2 881 thousand tons. This growth was driven by consecutive increases in domestic production, which reached 2 886 thousand tons in 2021.

Following the peak, the market contracted in 2022, with volume falling to 2 614 thousand tons as production dipped to 2 618 thousand tons. The market stabilized in 2023 at 2 630 thousand tons, maintaining a level well above that of 2018.

Throughout the period, the market was supplied almost entirely by domestic production, with imports and exports playing a negligible role. The overall trend shows a market that grew robustly before entering a phase of moderation.

Production millet in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked as the world's third-largest producer of millet.

Top producers of millet, 2017-2020

World map of production of millet, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 2,607 thousand tonnes of millet, showing little change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 2.3%, averaging an annual increase of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,342 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 2,608 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 8.1%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 11.4%.

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

Exports millet from China

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, China's millet exports totaled 5,302 tonnes, a decrease of 13.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 4.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 4,214 tonnes, and the highest was in 2019 at 6,145 tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, down by 24.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, up by 45.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia were the top buyers of millet from China, accounting for 26.6%, 15.9%, and 13.5% of exports in volume, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 56.1% of China's total millet exports by volume.

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

China's millet exports in value terms grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 6,446 thousand US dollars, a 23.1% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, export value rose by 35.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3,728 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, falling by 21.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, up by 40.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Germany, and Japan were the leading destinations for China's millet exports by value, with shares of 24.3%, 20.9%, and 13.5%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 58.7% 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 millet to China

Imports in kind, t

China's millet imports in volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports dropped to zero tonnes, a sharp reduction of 99.1% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, imports decreased by 100%, with a compound annual growth rate of -94.5%.

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

During 2017–2020, Kazakhstan dominated China's millet imports by volume, holding an 83.0% share of total flows, while the remainder was distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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 millet imports in value terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value stood at 0.1 thousand US dollars, a dramatic decrease of 50.4% from 2019. From 2018 to 2020, imports dropped by 99.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -85.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the leading source for China's millet imports by value, accounting for 87.4% of total flows, with the rest spread across other partners.

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

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