Yams market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the yam market volume grew from 145 thousand tons to 158.9 thousand tons, driven by increasing consumer health awareness and a rising demand for Chinese medicinal herbs, supported by national policies. A new segment of instant yam slices emerged, intensifying market competition. In 2020, the market stabilized at 156.2 thousand tons as the COVID-19 pandemic heightened global focus on health, boosting demand for plant extracts including yam.

Market volume expanded further to 160.8 thousand tons in 2021, fueled by the pandemic's effect on wellness trends and medicinal herb consumption, alongside growing demand for fresh herbs facilitated by improved cold-chain logistics. However, a significant decline to 141.9 thousand tons occurred in 2022, coinciding with reports of falling prices for some Chinese medicinal herbs affecting grower incomes. During this period, the state released the '14th Five-Year Plan for Traditional Chinese Medicine Development,' aiming to enhance quality and supply security.

The market recovered to 146.9 thousand tons in 2023, sustained by continuous growth in health-conscious eating and the expanding market for medicine-food homologous products. Online sales of medicines and food products widened due to new regulatory measures, while the cultivation area for medicinal herbs exceeded 9 million mu, boosted by rural revitalization strategies.

Production yams in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

In Eastern Asia, yams production reached 170.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, showing a slight year-on-year decline of 1.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 157.4 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 172.7 thousand tonnes. The most significant increase was observed in 2019, when production rose by 9.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of yams output in Eastern Asia was 359.6 million US dollars, marking a moderate reduction of 5.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 4.9%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 344.2 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 381.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 8.9% drop, and the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 10.8% rise.

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

Exports yams from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Yams exports from Eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 18 384 tonnes, up by 6.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 6.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 489 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, accounting for 32.6% of exports in kind, Asia not elsewhere specified at 19.3%, and Malaysia with 12.3%, were the key destinations for yams exports from Eastern Asia. Together, these three markets represented 64.1% 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, K $ US

Yams exports from Eastern Asia increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, registering 38 769 thousand US dollars, a 1.4% rise compared to the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.1%, with an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 36 054 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 6.0% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States contributed 31.3% of exports in value terms, Asia not elsewhere specified accounted for 27.0%, and Singapore made up 8.4%, together forming the biggest share of yams exports from Eastern Asia. These three markets jointly represented 66.7% of total export 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 yams to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, yams imports into Eastern Asia amounted to 4 083 tonnes, a 15.1% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.1%, with an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 546 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 4 127 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 14.1% drop.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Australia together accounted for 19.5% of total imports in kind, making them the main sources for yams imported into 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, K $ US

In 2020, yams shipments into Eastern Asia from abroad amounted to 6 788 thousand US dollars, reflecting a limited advance of 3.8% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 938 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.8% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with an 11.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Australia together accounted for the main share of imports in value terms, representing 23.9% of total flows into Eastern Asia.

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

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