Helping exporters with data and analysis on exports and market activity.
Australian agricultural produce is in demand in export markets around the world.
One of our fastest growing markets is ASEAN; a group of 10 nations in Southeast Asia. The nations that make up ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
As these nations grow, so too does their demand for produce from around the world.
In 2021-22
of Australian agricultural exports went to ASEAN
This has risen to
in July-September 2022
The ASEAN region includes some of the fastest growing countries in the world. Between 2011, and 2021, total ASEAN GDP increased by 43%, while total global GDP increased by 30%.
The total value of ASEAN agricultural, fisheries and forestry imports from the world has grown from US$112.5b in 2015 to US$179.3b in 2021 (8% per year).
We can look at data on agriculture, fisheries and forestry imports to the ASEAN region over time to better understand which agricultural commodities are growing in demand. The ASEAN market is diverse, with the top five imported commodities only accounting for 33% of the total value of imports in 2023. Australia’s share of the ASEAN region’s imports is 8% (Figure 1).
ASEAN’s imports from Australia are led by wheat, cotton, beef and sugar (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Value (US$, real) of ASEAN’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry imports from all partners
* NES = Not elsewhere specified, such as malt extract, infant food, condiments and sauces.
Figure 2. Value (US$, real) of ASEAN’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry imports from Australia
Source: ASEANStats
Australian government and industry have been working to diversify export markets.
Blockages on some Australian agricultural exports to China has necessitated a shift to new markets.
Social and economic changes in countries that are part of ASEAN is also influencing demand for a greater variety of produce. But geography and climate limit production of some agricultural commodities in the ASEAN region.
These changes include:
Strong economic growth
Increasingly wealthy consumers seeking new food types
Food and fibre processing for domestic consumption and export
ASEAN countries are looking to international markets for a variety of goods that are growing in demand amongst local consumers.
Agricultural products from Australia and other countries are among these high demand goods. Some produce is being delivered to the consumers’ table. Other goods are entering a longer supply chain, to be used in the manufacture of other products.
ASEAN’s food and fibre processing industries are growing. ASEAN countries are an increasingly important part of the global fibre processing supply chain. This has increased demand for inputs, such as cotton.
In Vietnam, spinning mills import raw cotton and transform it into cotton yarn. The yarn is used in the Vietnamese textile and apparel industry or re-exported abroad, mainly to China and South Korea.
In 2021-22, Australia exported a record $1.57b of cotton to ASEAN. The 2021-22 record will be easily surpassed this year as stored bales from previous seasons continue to be exported.
In the ASEAN region, Australian barley is being used for a variety of ways, including in food processing, beer production, and as specialty animal feed.
Since 2018-19, exports of Australian barley to ASEAN have increased by 214%. That’s an increase of $258.8m.
Demand for alcohol and meat will continue to rise in the region, creating more opportunities for malting barley and animal feed.
An increasingly wealthy and urbanised middle class in ASEAN countries are consuming a wider variety of higher value agricultural products, including meat, seafood and wine.
Australian seafood and wine exports to ASEAN have increased by $490 million since 2018-19. That represents an increase of 80%.
Seafood exports have been driven by increased salmon production in Australia and the diversification of rock lobster exports.
Exports of Australian wine to most ASEAN markets has increased. Prices for Australian wine in the ASEAN markets are 3-4x higher than in the USA or EU.
There is no denying it, the ASEAN market has many opportunities for Australian agriculture exporters that are looking to diversify their markets.
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