Olives market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the fresh olive market in Eastern Asia showed relative stability, with volume hovering around 2,600 tons annually. The introduction of stricter origin labeling rules and a weaker yen raising import costs did not significantly alter consumption initially. However, in 2020, COVID-19 related logistics disruptions and customs delays lengthened supply lead times, contributing to a slight dip in market volume as imports fell. This was partially offset by growing consumer interest in health and wellness, which bolstered demand for products like extra virgin olive oil and fresh olives with functional claims.

The market experienced a gradual recovery in volume from 2021 to 2022, reaching over 2,630 tons. This growth was primarily driven by government-led initiatives to expand domestic olive cultivation as part of food security measures, which supported stable production. Concurrently, successive harvest failures in Europe, particularly in Spain, kept import volumes low and prices elevated. The launch of blended oil products and smaller pack sizes by major manufacturers, alongside a post-pandemic recovery in demand for healthy foods, helped maintain market accessibility and consumption during this period of high costs.

In 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 1,828 tons. This decline was largely due to the onset of significant exports, which diverted over 800 tons of domestic production abroad. The export activity likely became viable amid continued global supply shortages from drought and pest damage in Spain, coupled with a weak yen and high international freight costs, which pushed global olive prices to record levels. While domestic consumer preference for healthy, polyphenol-rich olives remained strong, these high prices and the new export flow substantially reduced the volume available for domestic consumption.

Production olives in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of olives, 2017-2020

World map of production of olives, 2017-2020

In 2019, Eastern Asia produced 2 594 tonnes of olives. Production remained relatively stable in 2020 compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports olives from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, kg

In 2019, foreign olive supplies from Eastern Asia stood at 0.4 kg, remaining virtually unchanged from 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports decreased by 99.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 91.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the almost exclusive buyer of olives from Eastern Asia, accounting for 99.9% of total exports in kind.

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, K $ US

In 2019, exported olive volumes from Eastern Asia stood at 0.0 thousand US dollars, showing stability year-on-year compared to 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports decreased by 100%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 92.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner base for exports in value terms was extremely narrow, with Russia alone responsible for 100.0% of total flows.

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 olives to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, kg

Olive deliveries to Eastern Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 13 510 kg, marking a contraction of 64.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 66.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom remained the main destination for imports in kind, taking 71.3% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed across various smaller markets.

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, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import levels varied 5.4-fold between the high of 2018 and the low of 2020. In 2020, olive deliveries to Eastern Asia amounted to 55.8 thousand US dollars, indicating a decline of 73.4% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 298.7 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 47.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom held the dominant position in imports in value terms, accounting for 74.0% of total flows, whereas the remaining share was split among various smaller destinations.

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

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