Mustard powder and prepared mustard market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The mustard powder and prepared mustard market in China began the period with a size of 1 772 tons in 2018. The entry of the international giant McCormick into the Chinese market that year, along with the expansion of domestic producer Tianpeng Food, introduced new product varieties and increased manufacturing capacity. Over the next two years, the market volume contracted, falling to 1 681 tons in 2019 and further to 1 543 tons in 2020.

A sharp reversal occurred in 2021, with the market expanding by 48% to reach 2 283 tons. This surge was driven by the adoption of new processing and packaging technologies that enhanced product quality and shelf life, coupled with growing consumer interest in exotic mustard flavors. The upward trend continued into 2022, with volume climbing another 26% to 2 886 tons, supported by sustained demand for healthier, additive-free, and low-sodium product variants.

In 2023, the market adjusted to 2 591 tons. This coincided with the industry preparing for the implementation of the new national food safety standard GB 2760-2024, which regulates food additive use and required production adjustments. Furthermore, the market structure became more concentrated, with the top five firms accounting for a significant share of sales.

Production mustard powder and prepared mustard in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked 22nd globally in the production of mustard powder and prepared mustard.

Top producers of mustard powder and prepared mustard, 2017-2020

World map of production of mustard powder and prepared mustard, 2017-2020

China's production of mustard powder and prepared mustard grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 997.4 tonnes, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

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

Exports mustard powder and prepared mustard from China

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest point was in 2018 at 697 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 431 tonnes, resulting in a 2.1-fold difference. In 2020, China exported 1 250 tonnes, a decrease of 12.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 13.9%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 105.1%.

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

The export market for mustard powder and prepared mustard was broad from 2017 to 2020. Hong Kong accounted for 17.9% of exports, Slovenia for 14.2%, and the United States for 13.4%, together making up 45.4% of total flows. The remaining 54.6% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 exports of mustard powder and prepared mustard amounted to 2 957 thousand US dollars, a modest drop of 7.4% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 478 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 193 thousand US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2018, decreasing by 17.7%, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 28.9%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms was diversified from 2017 to 2020. Hong Kong contributed 18.4% of exports, the United States 14.9%, and Japan 10.8%, collectively accounting for 44.0% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position in the market.

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

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

Imports mustard powder and prepared mustard to China

Imports in kind, t

China imported 1 796 tonnes of mustard powder and prepared mustard in 2020, a solid decline of 15.5% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was in 2018 at 1 502 tonnes, and the maximum was in 2019 at 2 125 tonnes. The largest decrease happened in 2018, falling by 17.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, jumping by 41.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Sweden consistently led in the import structure for mustard powder and prepared mustard. The United States accounted for 50.2% of imports, France for 18.7%, and Sweden for 7.4%, together representing 76.3% of total 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

In 2020, China's imports of mustard powder and prepared mustard totaled 4 000 thousand US dollars, down by 8.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 3 569 thousand US dollars, and the highest was in 2019 at 4 356 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 14.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019, growing by 22.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Canada remained the primary sources for imports of mustard powder and prepared mustard in value terms. The United States held 40.3% of imports, France 19.9%, and Canada 7.8%, collectively accounting for 68.1% of total flows.

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

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