Market research

Cassava starch market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The cassava starch market in Eastern Africa contracted from 32 278 tons in 2018 to 21 498 tons in 2020, primarily due to declining cassava production caused by disease outbreaks, poor agronomic practices, and post-harvest losses that limited raw material availability. Although a flour blending policy was proposed in 2018 to enhance farmer-processor linkages, supply-side constraints persisted.

Market volume recovered steadily from 2021 onward, reaching 33 359 tons in 2023. This turnaround was driven by the introduction of high-yielding, disease-resistant cassava varieties and the deployment of semi-autotrophic hydroponics technology for clean planting materials, which boosted cassava yields. Concurrently, growing demand for gluten-free cassava flour opened new applications for cassava starch, encouraging processing investment.

By 2024, commercial-scale cassava processing expanded further with improved machinery and continued training for farmers on value addition, supported by government and research institutions aiming to strengthen the cassava value chain.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cassava starch in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cassava starch, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of cassava starch, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, production reached its lowest point, while 2018 saw the highest level, with a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa produced 24 793 tonnes of cassava starch, which was an 11.4% decrease compared to the previous year. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 35 736 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 21.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 80.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	80.4%	(21.7%)	(11.4%)	7.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cassava starch from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 8.4 times. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 5 075 tonnes of cassava starch, marking a substantial increase of 744.0% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 601 tonnes in 2019. The largest decline was in 2019, falling by 87.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	194.6%	(87.1%)	744.0%	47.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United States were the primary destinations for cassava starch exports from Eastern Africa, together accounting for 60.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with an 18-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa's cassava starch exports amounted to 1 189 thousand US dollars, representing a 500.0% year-on-year increase. The minimum value was 198 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the maximum was 3 478 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 94.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	381.6%	(94.3%)	500.0%	18.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that cassava starch exports from Eastern Africa in value terms were not concentrated on a few key destinations. The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 30.5% of exports, the United States for 3.9%, and Oman for 1.5%, with these three countries jointly representing only 35.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cassava starch to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Cassava starch imports into Eastern Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 780 tonnes, reflecting a sharp rise of 46.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 39.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 211 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.1%)	0.4%	46.4%	11.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Vietnam, and South Africa formed the core of cassava starch imports into Eastern Africa in kind. Thailand accounted for 47.3% of imports, Vietnam for 25.3%, and South Africa for 18.5%, together representing 91.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 1 065 thousand US dollars worth of cassava starch, reflecting a steep increase of 49.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 52.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.3%	(14.7%)	49.5%	15.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, South Africa, and Vietnam made the biggest contributions to cassava starch imports into Eastern Africa in value terms. Thailand accounted for 42.5% of imports, South Africa for 23.4%, and Vietnam for 22.8%, with these three countries jointly representing 88.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io