Maize starch market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the maize starch market in the Americas expanded steadily, with volume rising from 21 021 thousand tons to 25 765 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by the diversification of starch uses into pharmaceuticals, paper manufacturing, textiles, and bio-based industries, which broadened demand beyond traditional food applications. Concurrently, rising consumer preference for clean-label, non-GMO, and natural ingredients in processed foods stimulated product innovation and consumption, while major producers like ADM and Cargill invested in capacity expansion to meet the increasing need across these sectors.

In 2022, market volume contracted to 23 483 thousand tons, an 8.9% decrease, largely due to corn price volatility exacerbated by geopolitical events and weather conditions, which elevated raw material costs and disrupted market dynamics. The following year, 2023, saw stabilization at 23 534 thousand tons, as the market adjusted to the new cost environment and absorbed the previous supply chain shocks.

Production maize starch in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

Maize starch production in the Americas grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 24 830 thousand tons, marking a 9.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 14.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 20 991 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Americas in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports maize starch from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, maize starch exports from the Americas totaled 79.6 thousand tons, down 6.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 33%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 12.5%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 31.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 5.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Senegal were the key markets for maize starch exports from the Americas, accounting for 1.7%, 0.9%, and 0.6% of total export volumes, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 3.2% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Maize starch export revenues from the Americas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 67.2 million US dollars, a solid 11.8% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 54.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Senegal stood out as the main markets for maize starch exports in value terms, contributing 1.4%, 0.7%, and 0.5% of total export revenues, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 2.7% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports maize starch to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, maize starch imports into the Americas rebounded in 2020. Import volumes reached 89.9 thousand tons, a 10.2% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 43.4%, with an average annual decline of 17.3%. The lowest import level was in 2019 at 81.6 thousand tons, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 29.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, China, and Spain were the primary suppliers of maize starch to the Americas, representing 3.9%, 0.7%, and 0.6% of total import volumes, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 5.2% of all imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Maize starch import expenditures in the Americas rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value climbed to 153.5 million US dollars, reflecting a solid 16.5% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 22.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Spain, and France were the main sources of maize starch imports in value terms for the Americas, contributing 3.0%, 1.0%, and 0.8% of total import expenditures, respectively. Combined, these three countries represented 4.8% of all import flows.

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

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