Vegetable puree market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for vegetable puree in China saw a gradual contraction from 8,058 t in 2018 to 7,226 t in 2023. This period included a slight rebound in 2021, but the overall trend was downward. The market movement occurred alongside the unrelated rapid expansion of the broader prepared meal sector in the country.

In 2022, local industrial policy emerged with Weifang city in Shandong province launching a three-year action plan to develop the prepared meal industry, aiming to strengthen its supply chain and expand consumption. The following year, 2023, was marked by the prepared meal industry's formal recognition in a key central policy document, attracting a diverse range of new players from specialized firms to retailers and e-commerce platforms, which intensified competition.

A significant regulatory shift occurred in March 2024 when national authorities, including the State Administration for Market Regulation, issued a joint notification to strengthen food safety oversight for prepared meals. This included a clear national definition, a ban on preservatives, and stricter limits on food additives, mandating a shift towards physical preservation methods. Coupled with advances in cold-chain logistics and rising consumer acceptance, these rules formalized the industry's structure, which may influence demand for ingredients like vegetable puree in the long term.

Production vegetable puree in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China held the fifth position globally in vegetable puree production.

Top producers of vegetable puree, 2017-2020

World map of production of vegetable puree, 2017-2020

China's vegetable puree production fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 7 254 tonnes, marking a 2.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production dropped by 5.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.0%. The highest output was in 2018 at 7 836 tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 5.5% decrease, while the largest gain was in 2018 with a 1.7% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports vegetable puree from China

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular shifts, pointing to a volatile market. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China exported 66.7 tonnes of vegetable puree, down 48.9% from the previous year. The maximum was recorded in 2019 at 130.6 tonnes, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 306.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong was the central partner for China's vegetable puree exports in volume, accounting for 79.1% of total flows, with other markets playing a smaller role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest in 2017 and their highest in 2018, varying by a factor of 7.6. In 2020, China exported 666 thousand US dollars worth of vegetable puree, a 23.1% decrease from the prior year. The peak value was in 2018 at 891 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 658.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Hong Kong dominated as the primary destination for China's vegetable puree exports in value, holding a 93.8% share.

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

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

Imports vegetable puree to China

Imports in kind, t

China's vegetable puree imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 205.0 tonnes, down 17.8% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 span, imports rose by 6.4%, averaging a 2.1% annual growth rate. The highest volume was in 2018 at 325.9 tonnes. The largest decrease was in 2019 with a 23.5% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 69.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom were the top contributors to China's vegetable puree imports in volume. France accounted for 39.5%, the United States for 25.7%, and the United Kingdom for 11.5%, together making up 76.7% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance saw noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 1.8-fold difference. In 2020, China imported 1 831 thousand US dollars worth of vegetable puree, a 17.1% decrease from 2019. The maximum value was in 2018 at 2 823 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.8% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2018 with an 81.2% rise.

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

In 2017–2020, France, the United States, and the United Kingdom remained the key suppliers of vegetable puree to China in value terms. France held a 42.2% share, the United States 26.9%, and the United Kingdom 10.3%, collectively accounting for 79.4% of total import value.

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

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