Taro market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN taro market opened the period at 362.1 thousand tons in 2018, bolstered by the rising popularity of taro as a healthy, versatile food and growing domestic consumption across the region. After a contraction to 317.9 thousand tons in 2019, the market saw a slight recovery to 321.6 thousand tons in 2020. This stabilization occurred despite COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to supply chains, as a concurrent shift in consumer habits increased demand for processed and frozen taro products.

From 2021, the market entered a phase of contraction. Volume fell to 310.3 thousand tons in 2021, pressured by increased competition from other exporting regions like Ecuador and Mexico which captured more of the global trade. In 2022, several ASEAN countries implemented regulatory changes to labeling and phytosanitary export requirements to improve international market access, yet the total market volume continued to decline, reaching 290.2 thousand tons. This downward trend persisted into 2023, with the market shrinking to 272.7 thousand tons despite ongoing investments in processing infrastructure and policies to support local producers.

Recent developments indicate a potential shift. In 2024, initiatives such as the National Agricultural Research Institute's (NARI) program to export premium taro to global markets and a significant rise in export prices in some countries emerged. Furthermore, the entry of new players focused on value-added products and updated labeling and traceability regulations are reshaping the market landscape.

Production taro in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of taro, 2017-2020

World map of production of taro, 2017-2020

In 2020, ASEAN produced 319.2 thousand tonnes of taro, marking a slight increase of 0.9% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 316.3 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 360.0 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, falling by 12.1%, whereas the largest gain was in 2018, rising by 3.8%.

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

Exports taro from ASEAN

Exports in kind, t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign taro supplies from ASEAN reached 2 789 tonnes, down by 39.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 2 272 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 62.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, surging by 103.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. China accounted for 34.3% of exports, South Korea for 5.3%, and Australia for 2.2%, together making up 41.8% of total flows. The remaining 58.2% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, exported taro volumes from ASEAN were recorded at 4 532 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong contraction of 21.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 37.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 14.6%. The largest drop was in 2018, falling by 35.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 22.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, South Korea, and Australia remained the key partners in exports by value. China contributed 37.0% of exports, South Korea 7.5%, and Australia 5.8%, together accounting for 50.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports taro to ASEAN

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, foreign taro supplies to ASEAN declined. In 2020, imports totaled 5 174 tonnes, which is 16.7% less than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 67.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 214 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 43.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was largely shaped by China and Bangladesh, which together accounted for 33.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, the volume of taro imports into ASEAN declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 6 850 thousand US dollars, down by 3.3% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 90.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 24.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 086 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was in 2018, rising by 51.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Asia not elsewhere specified, and Bangladesh formed the core group of markets for imports by value. China represented 33.0% of imports, Asia not elsewhere specified 1.5%, and Bangladesh 1.0%, together making up 35.6% of total flows.

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

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