Soya sauce market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The soy sauce market in Western Europe grew from 206.9 million USD in 2018 to 231.6 million USD in 2020. This initial expansion was supported by a shift in soy sourcing, as from 2018 all organic soy for tofu in the Netherlands came exclusively from Germany, France, and Austria due to pesticide concerns in traditional import countries, focusing attention on sustainable raw materials. Growing demand for organic and sustainable soy from health-conscious consumers further propelled the market in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused global supply chain disruptions, but also increased demand for long-shelf-life staples like soy sauce, reflected in a 14% rise in soybean imports to the Netherlands in the first half of the year.

Market growth accelerated in 2021, reaching 267.8 million USD, driven by an increase in sustainably produced soy, with 60% of feed soy meeting RTRS standards, which stimulated the premium segment. However, the market size contracted to 223.3 million USD in 2022, a period where consumer preferences continued shifting toward low-sodium and organic variants, prompting manufacturers to innovate with recipes despite broader market adjustments.

A strong recovery followed in 2023, with the market rising to 283.9 million USD. This surge was fueled by rising demand for premium, naturally fermented soy sauces with clean-label ingredients. The entry of the Dutch brand Tomasu as Europe's only soy sauce brewery, using artisanal methods and local ingredients, introduced new segmentation. Concurrently, the popularity of Asian cuisines boosted distribution through retail networks and online sales. In 2024, factors like Kikkoman's capacity expansion and new product launches, alongside a policy-driven increase in European soy cultivation area to an estimated 5.6 million hectares, pointed to a strengthening raw material base and continued product diversification.

Production soya sauce in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of soya sauce, 2017-2020

World map of production of soya sauce, 2017-2020

Western Europe's soy sauce production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 55 656 tonnes of soy sauce, marking an 8.7% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's soy sauce production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 250.5 million US dollars, representing a 13.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 32.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

Exports soya sauce from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 46 511 tonnes of soy sauce, reflecting a 35.9% year-on-year increase. However, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 22.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 8.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 34 235 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 67 947 tonnes. The largest decline was observed in 2019, with a drop of 49.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Spain played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of soy sauce from Western Europe. The United Kingdom accounted for 8.1% of exports in volume, Russia for 7.2%, and Spain for 7.2%. Together, their combined share reached only 22.5% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Soy sauce exports from Western Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 183.6 million US dollars, which is 27.0% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 45.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United Kingdom accounted for 7.9% of exports in value, Spain for 7.5%, and Italy for 6.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 21.6% of total export flows, with the remaining 78.4% distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports soya sauce to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, foreign soy sauce supplies to Western Europe increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 74 918 tonnes, representing a 41.3% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 23.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 53 012 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 7.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom were among the largest suppliers of soy sauce to Western Europe. China accounted for 24.1% of imports in volume, Japan for 9.8%, and the United Kingdom for 5.0%. Even combined, they represented just 38.9% of total imports in volume, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's soy sauce imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 164.6 million US dollars worth of soy sauce, which is 22.0% higher year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 34.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. China accounted for 16.1% of imports in value, Japan for 10.3%, and Thailand for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 30.0% of total import flows, while the remaining 70.0% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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