Vietnam’s cassava exports recorded positive growth in both volume and value in the first quarter of 2026. However, export prospects in the coming months may be affected by changes in China’s import patterns and new regulatory measures. These measures are likely to take effect in mid-2026.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam’s exports of cassava and cassava-based products rebounded strongly in March and the first quarter of 2026. As a result, export value rose significantly during the period. This growth occurred despite localized shortages of raw materials in several production areas.
Vietnam remains a leading supplier of dried cassava chips and cassava starch to China. These products are primary raw materials in animal feed production, food processing, and ethanol manufacturing.
During the first 15 days of March 2026, Vietnam exported 259,600 tons of cassava and cassava-based products worth USD 90.51 million. This represented increases of 8.5% in volume and 29.6% in value compared to the same period in 2025. Of this total, cassava exports alone reached more than 101,530 tons, valued at USD 22.57 million. These figures represented increases of 8.0% in volume and 25.4% in value.
Vietnamese cassava exports
From the beginning of 2026 through March 15, total Vietnam’s cassava exports reached 1.06 million tons, worth USD 359.41 million. This represented year-on-year increases of 10.7% in volume and 18.4% in value.
Exports Vietnamese cassava in March 2026 reached at 580,000 tons, valued at USD 202.3 million. During the first three months of 2026, total exports reached 1.4 million tons worth USD 471.2 million. This went up 14.4% in volume and 26.4% in value compared to the same period in 2025.
The average export price of cassava and cassava-based products during the first quarter of 2026 reached USD 339.9 per ton, an increase of 10.4% year on year. This suggests that the recovery in prices has significantly contributed to export revenue growth.
Providing further analysis, the Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that many processing plants in Vietnam faced shortages of fresh cassava roots during January and February 2026. As a result, Vietnam’s cassava exports during this period temporarily declined by 8.1% in volume and 3.0% in value. Total exports reached approximately 517,600 tons worth USD 205.3 million.
In terms of product structure, Vietnam’s cassava exports remain heavily concentrated in two main categories: cassava starch and dried cassava chips. Meanwhile, the share of deeply processed products remains limited.
Vietnamese cassava starch
During the first two months of 2026, Vietnamese cassava starch accounted for approximately 64.21% of total export volume. It also represented 76.36% of total export value. Most shipments went to the Chinese market.
Meanwhile, dried cassava chips accounted for around 35.49% of total export volume and 23.2% of export value. Exports reached 286,100 tons, generating USD 62.38 million in revenue. Compared to the same period last year, export volume increased by 174%, while export value rose by 185.1%. This remarkable growth was largely driven by increased demand from China’s animal feed and ethanol industries following the Lunar New Year holiday.
Other products, including arrowroot starch, industrial alcohol, and modified starch products, still represent only a small share of exports. However, these higher-value-added cassava products should encourage for development. This strategy aims to improve the efficiency of Vietnam’s cassava value chain in the coming years.
Regarding import markets, the Ministry cited data from China’s customs authorities. According to the data, China imported approximately 1.23 million tons of cassava chips and cassava starch, valued at USD 431.35 million, during the first two months of 2026. This represented a decline of 8.9% in volume but an increase of 1.6% in value compared to the same period last year.
This trend indicates that import demand is beginning to adjust after the sharp increase seen in 2025. During that period, record-low cassava prices encouraged Chinese companies to build up inventories.
In 2026, China’s total cassava starch imports are likely to remain stable or decline slightly. They will range between 3.2 million and 3.5 million tons.
Demand from industries such as food processing, textiles, paper manufacturing, and ethanol production is likely to continue growing at a natural rate of around 3–5%. However, speculative stockpiling demand is likely to weaken. This is because prices are no longer at the exceptionally low levels recorded last year.
Accordingly, international prices for cassava and cassava starch are likely to recover from previous lows. They are also likely to stabilize within a range of USD 420–530 per ton.
One important policy development is that, from June 1, 2026, China will officially implement Decree 280, replacing Decree 248. The new regulation imposes stricter requirements on enterprise registration, product traceability, and packaging and labeling standards for imported food products.
The regulation is likely to create temporary disruptions to exports of cassava and cassava-based products during the second half of 2026. This could occur if Vietnamese cassava exporters fail to complete the necessary procedures and comply with the new requirements in a timely manner.
Vietnamese source: https://thuehaiquan.tapchikinhtetaichinh.vn/xuat-khau-san-tang-manh-trong-quy-i-153001.html
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