As the world's largest producer of cinnamon, China's cinnamon industry is showing a strong trend of foreign trade growth in 2025. This advantage not only stems from the millennium old planting experience and unique geographical and climatic conditions, but also benefits from the deep integration of policy empowerment, technological upgrading, and the layout of the entire industry chain. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, the export value of Chinese cinnamon has exceeded 300 million US dollars in 2024, and it is expected to maintain a growth rate of over 10% in 2025, further expanding its share in the international market to 25%. Behind this sustained growth is the strategic transformation of China's cinnamon industry from "resource export" to "value export".
The core competitiveness of Chinese whole cinnamon comes from its unique geographical advantage. Main production areas such as Luoding in Guangdong, Wuzhou in Guangxi, and Pu'er in Yunnan have cultivated high-quality whole cinnamon with essential oil content of 1.5% -2.0%, relying on the South Asian tropical monsoon climate and red soil mountains, far exceeding competitors such as Vietnam and Indonesia's 1.0% -1.2%. As the "hometown of whole cinnamon in China", Luoding City accounts for 35% of the country's whole cinnamon production and 48% of its whole cinnamon oil production. More than 90% of farmers participate in planting, forming a complete industrial chain from planting, initial processing to export. Gaoyao District, with 50% of the country's whole cinnamon exports, has become the world's largest hub for rough processing exports, supplying products directly to international brands such as Starbucks and Lee Kum Kee. This centralized industrial layout has enabled China to occupy an irreplaceable position in the global whole cinnamon supply chain.
A strict quality control system is the cornerstone of China Cassia's dominance in the international market. Wuzhou Customs has established a full chain traceability system of "planting production packaging sales", and implemented 46 indicators such as pesticide residues and heavy metals testing on exported products to ensure compliance with EU 2002/32/EC standards. As the only GAP supervision demonstration site for traditional Chinese medicine in the province, Zhongrunkang Cooperative in Luoding City controls the quality of raw materials from the source. Its products have passed the US FDA certification and successfully entered the high-end market in North America. This quality confidence has enabled Chinese cassia to surpass traditional production areas such as Vietnam and Indonesia for the first time in the quality evaluation of the International Spices Association (IOFI) in 2025.
In terms of market layout, Chinese cassia granules is transitioning from "relying on traditional markets" to "comprehensive coverage". Except for traditional markets such as Southeast Asia, Europe, and America, the import volume of RCEP member countries India, Japan, and South Korea increased by more than 40% year-on-year. The Middle East market radiates to Africa and Eastern Europe through the Dubai transit hub, with exports to the United Arab Emirates reaching 1583 tons from January to April 2025, a year-on-year increase of 124%. This diversified market structure effectively disperses the risks brought by geopolitical and trade barriers.
Standing at a new starting point in 2025, China's cassia granules industry is accelerating its climb in the global value chain with technology as the engine and policies as the wings. From standardized planting in the field to deep processing in the laboratory; From fast customs clearance at border ports to brand building in international markets, China cassia granules is writing a new chapter in the transformation and upgrading of traditional agriculture. With the further promotion of the "the Belt and Road" initiative and the continued release of RCEP dividends, Chinese cassia granules is expected to occupy more than 30% of the global market share in the next five years, becoming a new benchmark leading the development of the global spice industry.
Post time: Jul-03-2025