Soya sauce market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The Chinese soya sauce market expanded in volume from 3.0 million tonnes to 3.2 million tonnes between 2018 and 2023, while its value grew from $2.7 billion to $3.2 billion. This expansion was initially supported by leading producers like Haitian Flavouring, which invested in highly automated production lines to enhance efficiency and output capacity. The period also saw significant product diversification, with the introduction of specialized variants such as children's, hotpot, and sushi sauces, catering to evolving consumer preferences and stimulating broader consumption.

Following the pandemic, the market recovery from 2021 onward was driven by the resurgence of foodservice demand and a marked consumer shift toward healthier options. Brands such as Qianhe Flavouring successfully captured market share with 'zero-additive' positioning, while the entry of new competitors like the baijiu producer Luzhou Laojiao intensified innovation and competition. These dynamics, alongside rising disposable incomes and the rapid growth of the catering sector, pushed production to record levels by 2023, accompanied by a clear trend toward health-oriented, low-salt products and smaller package sizes.

Production soya sauce in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China was the world's leading producer of soya sauce from 2017 to 2020, consistently ranking first by production volume.

Top producers of soya sauce, 2017-2020

World map of production of soya sauce, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 3,213 thousand tonnes of soya sauce, marking a modest increase of 5.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3,051 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 4.0% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of soya sauce in China was valued at 3,074 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate increase of 7.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 8.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 2.7%. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with no change recorded.

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

Exports soya sauce from China

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, China's exports of soya sauce declined in 2020, reaching 157.8 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 18%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 158.7 thousand tonnes, following the largest increase of 15.1% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China's exports of soya sauce in volume terms were distributed across a diverse range of partners. Hong Kong (22.2% of exports), the United States (21.0%), and Indonesia (5.4%) together accounted for 48.6% of total flows, while the remaining 51.4% was spread among numerous 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 exports of soya sauce in value terms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 151.0 million US dollars, up by 1.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 23.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China's exports of soya sauce in value terms were spread across a wide array of partner countries. Hong Kong (23.3% of exports), the United States (18.1%), and Australia (4.6%) together accounted for 46.1% of total flows, with the rest distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports soya sauce to China

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, China's imports of soya sauce stood at 11.8 thousand tonnes, representing a decrease of 18.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 19.2%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 6.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 8.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Japan (30.5% of imports), Singapore (30.1%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (18.9%) formed the core of China's soya sauce imports in volume terms, together accounting for 79.5% 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

In 2020, China's imports of soya sauce in value terms amounted to 19.9 million US dollars, showing a strong decline of 13.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 14.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for China's imports of soya sauce in value terms were Singapore (37.8% of imports), Japan (31.9%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (15.0%), which together accounted for 84.7% 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