Laos Expands Cassava Starch Exports to China, Signaling Stronger ASEAN Agricultural Trade
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Laos has strengthened its position in the regional agricultural economy by completing its first full-scale export of cassava starch to China, underscoring the growing importance of cassava-based products in ASEAN–China trade.
The export involved 1,000 tons of cassava starch shipped from Vientiane to Zhengzhou in China’s Henan Province, marking a new level of scale in Lao cassava exports. The shipment reflects improved production efficiency and rising export capacity within Laos’ agro-processing sector.
The cassava starch was fully produced by a domestic Lao factory, highlighting the country’s progress in moving up the agricultural value chain from raw material supply to processed, higher-value products. Cassava starch remains a strategic export commodity for Laos, with strong demand from the food, paper, textile, and industrial manufacturing sectors in China.
Since cross-border trade connectivity between Laos and China became operational, exports of Lao agricultural products—particularly cassava and its derivatives—have grown steadily. To date, more than 1.7 million tons of agricultural products have been exported to China, reflecting China’s role as a key destination market for Lao farm-based industries.
Trade data indicate that agricultural and food trade between China and ASEAN reached $51.3 billion in the first 10 months of the year, representing year-on-year growth of 8.9 percent. ASEAN has remained China’s largest trading partner for agricultural and food products for eight consecutive years, reinforcing the region’s central role in China’s food and industrial raw material supply chains.
The recent upgrade of the China–ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA 3.0) is expected to further facilitate agricultural trade by improving market access, streamlining customs procedures, and enhancing regulatory coordination. For cassava-producing economies such as Laos, these measures are anticipated to support long-term export growth, attract investment in agro-processing, and strengthen integration into regional value chains.
Source: Laos sends first full-train cassava starch export to China - Global Times