Oranges market in Laos

Earlier Report Observations

The orange market in Laos experienced consistent growth in volume from 2018 to 2023, with market size increasing from 42.8 thousand tons to 45.1 thousand tons. Domestic production remained stable at approximately 43 thousand tons per year, suggesting that the expansion was largely supported by changes in trade flows rather than output growth.

A notable rise in imports, especially the jump to 3.6 thousand tons in 2021 from just 329 tons in 2020, provided a major boost to market volume. Export volumes also varied, reaching a high of 2.3 thousand tons in 2021 before decreasing, which influenced the net availability of oranges in the domestic market.

In 2024, import volumes climbed to 3.3 thousand tons while exports fell to zero. This development aligned with Laos' ongoing market-oriented economic reforms under the New Economic Mechanism, which encourages foreign investment, and the launch of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce's 2024‑2030 trade action plan aimed at enhancing agricultural market policies.

Production oranges in Laos

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, orange production in Laos increased. In 2020, Laos produced 42 841 tonnes of oranges, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 42 780 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 0.8% drop.

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

Exports oranges from Laos

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports reached their peak at 268.5 tonnes, but fell sharply to 67.8 tonnes in 2020, representing a 74.7% decline year-over-year. This created a fourfold difference between the high and low points. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 81.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand dominated Laos' orange exports in volume terms, accounting for 72.1% of total flows, while other destinations maintained relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, the value of orange exports from Laos declined. In 2020, exports totaled 57.5 thousand US dollars, marking a 64.7% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 162.8 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 40.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 16.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 31.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Thailand and Vietnam consistently represented 85.0% of Laos' total export value for oranges, indicating high market concentration with numerous smaller markets comprising the remainder.

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

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

Imports oranges to Laos

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed considerable instability throughout the period. The lowest point was recorded in 2018 at 20.1 tonnes, while imports peaked in 2020 at 329.4 tonnes, creating a sixteenfold difference between these extremes. In 2020, import volumes increased by 17.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 90.2%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 1 298.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand and China served as the primary sources for Laos' orange imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 90.8% of total flows, with other countries holding comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 16.1 thousand US dollars, while imports reached 158.1 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a 73.6% increase from the previous year. This created a 10.6-fold difference between the high and low points. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 90.6%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 466.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Thailand and China dominated Laos' import value for oranges, collectively representing 89.9% of total flows, with other trading partners accounting for the remaining share.

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

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