Oats market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The oat market in Eastern Asia commenced the period at 931 thousand tonnes in 2018, coinciding with the entry of new players like OATLY and Calbee which began cultivating consumer interest in oat milk and premium oat cereals. Market volume then dipped to 870 thousand tonnes in 2019 and stabilized around 867 thousand tonnes in 2020, a period which saw the oat milk category enter a phase of rapid expansion and the oat cereal segment continue its growth, though the overall market was tempered by broader conditions.

A pronounced growth phase began in 2021, with the market volume rising to 991 thousand tonnes and continuing to climb to 1 125 thousand tonnes by 2023. This surge was primarily propelled by the explosive growth of the oat milk category, where retail sales soared by over 140% annually, coupled with rising demand for ready-to-eat oat products and organic oats. Supportive national policies for oat cultivation and ongoing supply chain improvements further facilitated this expansion.

For 2024, while full-year market size data is not yet available, oat imports remained high at 550 thousand tonnes. Industry developments indicated a maturing market, with the oat milk segment focusing on refined operation and new consumption scenarios like tea beverages. Leading companies such as West Wheat Foods and OATLY strengthened their market presence through product innovation and deeper integration into coffee shop channels, supported by government policies promoting oat planting area and seed technology upgrades.

Production oats in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of oats, 2017-2020

World map of production of oats, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's oats production saw a two-year improvement before declining. In 2020, the region produced 563.7 K t of oats, which was 0.9% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 568.7 K t, with the largest annual increase of 3.0% also occurring that year.

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

Exports oats from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 3.9-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Eastern Asia's cross-border shipments of oats amounted to 0.3 K t, representing a 37.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 0.4 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 161.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Asia's oats exports in kind were widely distributed across partner countries. The United States accounted for 8.3% of exports, Vietnam for 4.0%, and Malaysia for 3.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 16.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export volumes reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Asia exported 0.2 M $ US worth of oats, marking a significant decrease of 15.4% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.2 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 98.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The United States accounted for 26.4% of exports, Malaysia for 7.3%, and Vietnam for 4.4%. Together, these three countries represented 38.2% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 61.8%.

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

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

Imports oats to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, oats deliveries to Eastern Asia increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 303.4 K t, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 36.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.2%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2019 at 302.1 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 21.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, Australia dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, accounting for 73.9% of total flows. Other markets had comparatively modest shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decrease, cross-border shipments of oats to Eastern Asia increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 99.4 M $ US, showing a slight rise of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 98.7 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and Canada continued to lead the list of markets for imports in value terms, together accounting for 89.1% of total flows. Other partners played a supplementary role.

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

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