Yams market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2020 to 2022, the yam market in South-eastern Asia expanded significantly, with production rising from 17 505 t to over 20 000 t and total market volume growing from 20 096 t to 24 123 t. This upward trend was supported by increasing consumer awareness of the nutritional benefits of yams and a rising demand for convenient, ready-to-cook frozen products, which stimulated both domestic consumption and market value.

The market contracted in 2023, with production falling to 16 371 t and overall market volume dropping to 21 001 t. During this period, the frozen Chinese yam sub-segment continued to show strong growth potential across the Asia Pacific region, driven by its use in food, medicine, and cosmetics, while the catering sector remained a major revenue driver for yam products. International trade flows remained active, with imports reaching 5 882 t and exports 1 252 t in 2023.

Production yams in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

In 2019, yam production in South-eastern Asia reached its lowest point at 14 038 tonnes, with a decline of 3.0% that year. However, production rebounded strongly in 2020, reaching 17 505 tonnes—a significant 24.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 21.8%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports yams from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Yam exports from South-eastern Asia experienced a two-year decline before increasing in 2020. In 2019, exports hit their lowest level at 660 tonnes, following a sharp 68.2% drop in 2018. The situation improved in 2020, with exports rising to 989 tonnes—a substantial 49.9% increase from the previous year. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 60.2%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 26.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, yam exports from South-eastern Asia were distributed across a diverse range of partners. The United States accounted for 25.2% of exports, Canada for 8.0%, and Qatar for 3.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 36.7% of total export flows, while the remaining 63.3% went to numerous other destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Yam exports from South-eastern Asia in value terms increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. In 2018, exports fell to their lowest point at 1 152 thousand US dollars, with a significant 66.4% decline that year. However, exports recovered in 2019, growing by 24.9%, and continued to rise in 2020 to 1 531 thousand US dollars—a 6.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 55.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, yam exports from South-eastern Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. The United States represented 25.5% of exports, Canada 7.9%, and Qatar 3.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 36.7% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution across multiple markets.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports yams to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Yam imports into South-eastern Asia declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Imports totaled 3 580 tonnes that year, marking a 5.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 25%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Japan, and India were the primary suppliers of yams to South-eastern Asia. China accounted for 29.4% of imports in kind, Japan for 8.1%, and India for 3.8%. Together, these three countries formed 41.3% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Yam imports into South-eastern Asia in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. In 2018, imports reached their peak at 10 299 thousand US dollars, with a modest 2.6% increase that year. However, imports dropped by 11.3% in 2019 and continued to fall in 2020 to 8 667 thousand US dollars—a 5.1% decrease from the previous year. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 13.6%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets dominated yam imports into South-eastern Asia in value terms: China, Japan, and India. Together, they accounted for 73.0% of total import flows, highlighting their central role in the region's supply.

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

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