Soya sauce market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The East Asian soya sauce market volume experienced fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. It initially declined to 3 064 thousand tons in 2019, as the expansion of out-of-home dining and ready-meal sectors reduced traditional soya sauce consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic reversed this trend in 2020, with home cooking boosting demand and lifting the market to 3 229 thousand tons. This home-consumption effect persisted into 2021, supporting a further rise to 3 272 thousand tons.

Regulatory changes impacted the market in 2022, when authorities strengthened quality supervision and banned the use of the term ‘配制酱油’ for certain blended products. Coupled with rising soybean costs due to global supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine, these factors contributed to a slight market contraction to 3 208 thousand tons. Concurrently, health-conscious trends gained momentum, increasing demand for zero-additive and low-salt variants.

By 2023, the market recovered strongly to 3 395 thousand tons, driven by premiumization and product diversification strategies. Major players like Sempio maintained leadership, while other manufacturers announced capacity expansions, intensifying competition. Online sales channels widened, and marketing efforts targeted younger consumers, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the soya sauce market in East Asia.

Production soya sauce in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of soya sauce, 2017-2020

World map of production of soya sauce, 2017-2020

In 2019, Eastern Asia's soya sauce production reached its lowest point at 3,250 thousand tonnes, declining by 3.4% from the previous year. However, production rebounded in 2020 to 3,419 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 5.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of soya sauce production in Eastern Asia hit its minimum at $3,999 million US, falling by 4.5% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $4,187 million US, representing a 4.4% increase. In 2020, production value rose slightly to $4,114 million US, showing a modest 2.9% improvement over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the overall increase was 2.6%, averaging 0.9% per year.

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

Exports soya sauce from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Soya sauce exports from Eastern Asia have been growing for three consecutive years. In 2020, shipments reached 221.9 thousand tonnes, a small gain of 2.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 14.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the largest buyer of soya sauce from Eastern Asia, accounting for 24.7% of exports in kind, followed by the United Kingdom at 4.2% and Russia at 4.1%. Together, these three countries represented just 32.9% of total exports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base with no single market dominating.

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

After rising for two years, soya sauce exports from Eastern Asia declined slightly. In 2019, exports reached their peak at $267.2 million US, increasing by 9.0% from the previous year. In 2020, exports were nearly flat at $267.1 million US, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.5%, averaging 4.3% annually.

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

The structure of soya sauce exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a highly diversified set of partners. The United States led with 24.3% of exports, followed by Australia at 5.4% and the United Kingdom at 4.1%. Together, these three markets accounted for only 33.8% of total flows, while the remaining 66.2% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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 soya sauce to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After declining for two years, Eastern Asia's soya sauce import volume increased in 2020. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 30.9 thousand tonnes, following a significant 15.0% drop in 2018. In 2020, imports rose to 32.2 thousand tonnes, up by 4.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 20.4%, averaging a 7.3% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of soya sauce to Eastern Asia in kind were Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 11.3% of imports, Singapore at 10.0%, and Thailand at 2.0%. Together, these three sources accounted for 23.3% of total imports, against a backdrop of many smaller partners, showing no dominant supplier.

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

After increasing for two years, Eastern Asia's soya sauce imports declined in 2020. In 2019, imports reached their highest value at $77.9 million US, following a 2.0% rise in 2018. In 2020, imports fell to $72.9 million US, down by 6.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.6%, averaging a 1.2% annual decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of soya sauce imports in value terms remained scattered. Singapore was the largest supplier with 14.7% of imports, followed by Asia, not elsewhere specified at 8.1% and Thailand at 1.6%. Together, these three accounted for just 24.4% of total flows, with no partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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