Uncooked pasta market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The uncooked pasta market in Eastern Asia saw its value increase substantially from 3 020 million USD in 2018 to 4 127 million USD in 2023, largely due to rising disposable incomes and a growing consumer appetite for international cuisines. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend by boosting demand for home-cooked and ready-made meals, which supported market value growth even as physical volume experienced some variability.

Product innovation, including the entry of premium brands and a stronger focus on healthy ingredients, helped maintain consumption volumes between 1 800 and 1 900 thousand tons. Expansion into third- and fourth-tier cities broadened the consumer base, while global factors like wheat price increases following the Ukraine crisis raised input costs, contributing to a market shift toward higher-value products.

Structural developments, such as the expansion of Chinese fast-food chains and their investments in new production facilities, improved pasta's market penetration. Concurrently, sustained consumer preference for convenient and healthy options, supported by local policies for the prepared food sector, drove continuous market value growth despite inflationary pressures on raw materials and energy.

Production uncooked pasta in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

Uncooked pasta production in Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 1 500 K t, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 515 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 0.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 0.6% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After a two-year decline, uncooked pasta production in Eastern Asia increased in value terms. In 2020, production was valued at 2 747 M $ US, up 2.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 2.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 674 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 0.5% decrease.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, uncooked pasta exports from Eastern Asia amounted to 101.6 K t, increasing by 5.1% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports grew by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.2%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for uncooked pasta from Eastern Asia was diverse. The United States (25.5% of exports in kind), Canada (6.0%), and Malaysia (5.0%) together accounted for only 36.5% of total exports in kind, with many other countries holding smaller but significant shares.

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

Uncooked pasta exports from Eastern Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 186.0 M $ US, representing a controlled gain of 8.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 9.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, uncooked pasta exports from Eastern Asia in value terms were distributed across many countries. The United States (23.9% of exports in value terms), Thailand (5.9%), and Canada (5.4%) jointly accounted for only 35.2% of total flows.

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 uncooked pasta to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Eastern Asia imported 449.8 K t of uncooked pasta, down 6.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 355.8 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 449.8 K t. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 26.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Italy, Turkey, and the United States—together accounted for 54.6% of total uncooked pasta imports in kind to Eastern Asia.

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

In 2020, uncooked pasta imports to Eastern Asia amounted to 590.9 M $ US, up 15.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 15.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 0.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, uncooked pasta imports to Eastern Asia in value terms came from a broad set of markets. Italy (28.9% of imports in value terms), Turkey (10.3%), and the United States (5.6%) together accounted for only 44.8% of total imports, while many smaller destinations made up the remaining 55.2%.

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

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