Cassava starch market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the launch of the AROPA project, funded by IFAD and aimed at strengthening cassava production and processing with fifteen new GARI transformation units, laid the groundwork for market development. Cassava starch production reached 10 125 t that year, with a market volume of 10 430 t. The following year, production rose to 11 801 t and the market expanded to 12 216 t, although no specific market factors were recorded for 2019.

A shift occurred in 2020 as production fell to 10 529 t and the market contracted to 10 837 t, even as national cassava output remained substantial. The cassava starch sector was described as under-exploited despite its potential. In 2021, the entry of a new player, Malakass, which installed a certified bio and fair-trade cassava flour processing plant with a 1 000 t per year capacity, marked a significant investment in the value chain. However, production declined further to 9 881 t and the market size was 10 318 t.

The market stabilized from 2022 onward, influenced by the national Food Sovereignty Pact which promoted improved techniques like 'basket compost' and mobile processing units to reduce wheat flour imports. Production recovered slightly to 10 157 t and the market was 10 340 t. In 2023, the commissioning of a one-tonne-per-hour minoterie in Mahanoro, producing starch and flour, alongside broader industrialization efforts involving 75 planned industrial units, supported production at 10 188 t and a market volume of 10 541 t.

Production cassava starch in Madagascar

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Madagascar ranked 12th globally in cassava starch production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cassava starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava starch, 2017-2020

In 2020, Madagascar produced 10 529 tonnes of cassava starch, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 10.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 10 125 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 11 801 tonnes. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 16.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Madagascar in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cassava starch from Madagascar

Exports in kind, t

Madagascar exported 9.0 tonnes of cassava starch in 2020, showing only minor fluctuations compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the primary destination for Madagascar's cassava starch exports, accounting for 94.4% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of cassava starch exports from Madagascar was 1.7 thousand US dollars, remaining relatively stable year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2020, exports fell by 83.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 45.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, France dominated as the main buyer of cassava starch from Madagascar, representing 96.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cassava starch to Madagascar

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Madagascar imported 317.1 tonnes of cassava starch, a decrease of 23.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 27.2%, with a compound annual decline of 10.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 313.5 tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 at 28.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 32.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the leading supplier of cassava starch to Madagascar, making up 83.4% of total imports by volume, with other countries accounting for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of cassava starch imports into Madagascar reached 174.7 thousand US dollars, down 29.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31.8%, with a compound annual decline of 12.0%. The most notable increase was in 2019, rising by 27.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Vietnam was the principal supplier of cassava starch to Madagascar, capturing 81.4% of total import value, while other partners held relatively smaller shares.

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

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