Along with the durian race in China, Vietnam and Thailand are becoming the two leading countries in the world for cassava exports. The export turnover of cassava and cassava products from Vietnam now ranks second globally (after Thailand). The export value from 2013 to now has averaged over one billion USD, peaking at 1.35 billion USD per year, ranking fourth after rice, coffee, and cashew.
According to data from the General Department of Customs, cassava and cassava product exports in March reached over 487,000 tons with a value of over 139 million USD. This was an increase of 13.8% in volume and 3.5% in value compared to the same period in 2024.
In the first quarter of 2025, cassava and cassava product exports reached 1.2 million tons with a turnover of 379.7 million USD. This result was an increase of 29.7% in volume but a decrease of 11.6% in value compared to the same period in 2024.
The average price is estimated at 310.2 USD/ton, down 31.9% compared to the same period in 2024.
Thailand and Vietnam are currently the two largest exporters of cassava.
In terms of the market, cassava and cassava products from Vietnam are mainly exported to China. In the first quarter, Vietnam exported over 1.1 million tons of cassava to China, worth over 349 million USD. This was a significant increase of 30% in volume but a decrease of 13% in value compared to the same period last year. The average export price was 301 USD/ton, a decrease of 33%.
According to the Department of Import-Export (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the decrease in cassava export prices is due to the increase in cassava starch inventory at factories in China as previously signed orders with Thailand and Vietnam arrive at the ports in large quantities. Besides, the Vietnam Cassava Association believes that the decrease in cassava prices is also due to the high inventory of cassava starch at factories in Vietnam. The supply of cassava has been up because farmers have expanded their cultivation area, putting further pressure on prices, causing a significant drop.
Currently, the country has over 140 cassava starch processing factories with a total capacity of 9.3 million tons per year. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development aims to achieve an export turnover of cassava and cassava products reaching 1.8-2 billion USD by 2030.
To achieve this goal, Vietnam needs to focus on improving product quality, diversifying export markets, and strengthening the link between processing enterprises and farmers. The promotion of scientific and technological applications in production and processing is also an important factor in enhancing productivity and product quality.
Thailand is the third-largest cassava producer in the world, with an annual output of 30 million tons (behind Nigeria, with an output of about 53 million tons, and Congo, with an output of about 46 million tons). However, this country is the largest exporter. The total value of Thailand’s cassava exports in 2024 was 3.13 billion USD, a decrease of 15.6% compared to last year. The five largest export markets for Thailand are China (51.4%), Japan (9.4%), Indonesia (7.4%), Taiwan (5.1%), and Malaysia (4.1%).
In the 2024/25 season, Thailand’s cassava production is estimated to reach 22.14 million tons, an increase of 1.5% compared to the last season.