China’s agrifood trade with ASEAN countries has demonstrated exceptionally strong growth, securing a significant milestone in Beijing’s strategy to diversify its food supply chains. In the first ten months of 2025 (January through October), China imported US$141.2 billion worth of agricultural products from the ASEAN bloc. This massive trade volume means China has already achieved 94% of its five-year target for agrifood imports from ASEAN, a goal that was initially set in 2021.
This rapid achievement underscores the accelerating trend of regional agri-trade integration between China and Southeast Asia. The growth is heavily fueled by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which has reduced tariffs and streamlined customs procedures, making ASEAN a more reliable and cost-effective supplier than traditional markets. Key commodities driving this trade surge include tropical fruits, palm oil, seafood, and natural rubber, bolstering the economic stability of nations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
The success of this trade pivot serves multiple strategic purposes for China: it enhances national food security by reducing vulnerability to supply shocks from distant or politically sensitive markets, and it strengthens China’s economic and political influence across Southeast Asia. The data signals clear and ongoing opportunities in supply-chain shifts for food and agriculture sectors across the region.
