Mustard seeds market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, mustard seeds production in China grew steadily from 18 749 t to 19 304 t. This expansion was underpinned by a 2018 policy move where the Ministry of Agriculture officially recognized mustard seeds as an oilseed crop, bringing it under formal agricultural production management and providing a foundation for stable output growth. Consequently, the total market volume increased from 19 517 t to 20 817 t over the same period.

Imports of mustard seeds were highly volatile, dropping to 687 t in 2020 before recovering to 1 581 t in 2022. By 2024, new factors began shaping trade flows. China's initiation of an anti-dumping investigation against Canadian rapeseed imports directly affected import channels and supply availability. Simultaneously, the market saw a diversification of mustard seed-based products and applications, with growing demand from health-conscious consumers, which supported overall market development.

Production mustard seeds in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked 9th globally in mustard seed production.

Top producers of mustard seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of mustard seeds, 2017-2020

China's mustard seed production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 19 081 tonnes, showing a modest year-over-year growth of 1.6%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 749 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 0.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Mustard seed production in China declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 40 678 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 21.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 52 998 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 2.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 22.4%.

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

Exports mustard seeds from China

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, China exported 40 tonnes of mustard seeds, representing a 42.7% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 40.3%, with a CAGR of 11.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 28 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 29.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong (29.4% of exports in kind), South Korea (23.5%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (19.2%) were consistently the main destinations for mustard seed exports from China, together accounting for 72.1% of total 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 mustard seed exports amounted to 86.0 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 39.1% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 9.6%, with a CAGR of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 61.8 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 45.1%. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 112.6 thousand US dollars, marking the largest increase of 43.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong (27.1% of exports in value terms), South Korea (22.6%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (21.4%) made the biggest contributions to China's mustard seed exports, jointly accounting for 71.0% of total 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 mustard seeds to China

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was reached in 2019, reflecting a 2.5-fold gap. In 2020, China's mustard seed imports amounted to 687 tonnes, constituting a steep decrease of 40.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 156 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 74.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada almost fully determined the geographical structure of mustard seed imports to China, accounting for 97.2% 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

After a two-year uptick, mustard seed imports to China declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 554.3 thousand US dollars, marking a contraction of 33.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 30.7%, equating to a 9.3% annualized rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 839.1 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 45.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of mustard seed imports to China in value terms was highly concentrated, with Canada alone accounting for 95.3% 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