Sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts in Eastern Asia grew from 84.2 тыс. т in 2018 to 163.5 тыс. т in 2023, supported by consistent government policies aimed at strengthening vegetable and fruit production and processing. From 2019 onward, state measures to improve cultivation, storage, and distribution provided a more stable and abundant raw material base for preserved food manufacturers. This period also saw the rapid emergence of the freeze-dried food segment, which attracted major industry players and increased overall fruit and vegetable processing capacity, benefiting traditional preservation methods like sugar curing.

The expansion of e-commerce for fresh food, accelerated during the pandemic, significantly widened the retail channels for preserved products. Online platforms and innovative promotional offers made sugar-preserved items more accessible, contributing to a notable 30% jump in market volume in 2021. This shift was reinforced by changing consumer habits that favored convenience and variety, even as broader health trends influenced product development within the category.

Continued investment in processing infrastructure, such as a 440 million yuan e-commerce OEM project launched in 2023, further supported market growth. While weather events and planting adjustments caused some raw material price volatility, ongoing policy support for the vegetable and fruit supply chains helped sustain production. The parallel rise of the roasted nuts market, which surpassed 300 billion yuan, reflected growing consumer interest in snack formats, providing additional momentum for related preserved products.

Production sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts, 2017-2020

Eastern Asia's production of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 161.6 thousand tons, marking a 2.5% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest production volume was in 2018 at 146.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 4.1%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase at 7.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts in Eastern Asia was 567.7 million US dollars, down 0.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 25.2%, with an average annual decline of 9.2%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 542.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the steepest drop of 28.5%. On the upside, 2019 saw the largest increase at 5.4%.

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

Exports sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts from Eastern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 82 675 tons, a slight rise of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 51.2%, translating to an annualized rate of 14.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Asia's exports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Thailand accounted for 16.3% of exports, Malaysia for 11.6%, and Russia for 7.2%, with these three countries together making up just 35.2% of total export flows.

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 two years of growth, exports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts from Eastern Asia declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 290.5 million US dollars, a small decrease of 2.2% year-over-year. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, exports still increased by 7.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 296.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines were key buyers of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts from Eastern Asia in value terms. Thailand held an 18.8% share, Malaysia 11.4%, and the Philippines 9.4%, but their combined share reached only 39.7% of total export value. The remaining 60.3% was spread across numerous other trading partners.

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 sugar preserved vegetables, fruit and nuts to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts into Eastern Asia have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported approximately 29 175 tons, a solid increase of 22.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 149.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 35.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia were the top sources for imports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts into Eastern Asia, together accounting for 52.7% of total import volumes.

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

Eastern Asia's imports of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 83.1 million US dollars, up 7.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 67.5%, with an annualized rate of 18.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Canada, and Cambodia were the main suppliers of sugar-preserved vegetables, fruit, and nuts to Eastern Asia in value terms. Thailand contributed 33.0% of imports, Canada 14.0%, and Cambodia 9.9%, with these three countries jointly making up 56.9% of total import value.

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

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