Persimmons market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, China's persimmon market volume grew from 3 168 thousand tons to 3 838 thousand tons, primarily driven by state support policies. County-level subsidies for planting, such as those in Fuping, incentivized area expansion, while improved water conservation practices and modern cultivation techniques in regions like Baoshan enhanced yields and supported continuous production increases.

The persistent supply surplus over domestic demand exerted downward pressure on prices, leading to a decline in the market's total value from 4 643 million dollars to 3 625 million dollars despite the rising physical volume. Growing exports to Southeast Asian markets absorbed part of the surplus, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced temporary supply chain disruptions without halting the overall production growth trend.

The industry diversified through deeper processing, launching new products like persimmon beverages and teas, and integrated with rural tourism. An increase in the number of processing enterprises and the adoption of quality traceability systems strengthened the sector's competitiveness for both domestic and export markets.

Production persimmons in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained its position as the world's leading producer of persimmons by volume.

Top producers of persimmons, 2017-2020

World map of production of persimmons, 2017-2020

China's persimmon production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 471 K t of persimmons, representing a 6.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's persimmon production value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 610 M $ US, up 14.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 29.7%, with an average annual rate of 9.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 729 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 7.2%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 22.0%.

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

Exports persimmons from China

Exports in kind, K t

China's persimmon exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 108.0 K t, a sharp rise of 50.8% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 62.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 58.7 K t, which saw the largest decline of 11.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and Thailand consistently made up 88.3% of China's total persimmon exports by volume, showing a high concentration with a long tail of smaller markets.

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, M $ US

China's persimmon export value rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 205.7 M $ US, a 61.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 83.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 86.0 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 23.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China's persimmon exports in value terms were heavily focused on Vietnam and Thailand, which together accounted for 90.6% of total flows, with other destinations playing a minor role.

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

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

Imports persimmons to China

Imports in kind, K t

China's persimmon imports showed notable fluctuations during this period. The lowest volume was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2018, with a 2.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports were 0.0 K t, a slight increase of 3.4% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 38.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, surging by 193.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and Asia, not elsewhere specified, were the dominant sources for China's persimmon imports by volume, together accounting for 100.0% 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, China's persimmon import value declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 0.2 M $ US, down 2.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 97.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.2 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 43.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China's persimmon imports in value terms were primarily directed towards New Zealand and Asia, not elsewhere specified, which together made up 100.0% 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