Market research

Maize starch market in Argentina

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine maize starch market volume increased from 1.01 million tons in 2018 to 1.04 million tons in 2019, driven by growing domestic corn consumption and consistent industrial demand for wet milling to produce starch and related derivatives.

Temporary restrictions on corn export registrations in 2020 contributed to a contraction in the market to 999 thousand tons, but a record contribution from the agroindustrial sector and high international prices fueled a recovery to 1.06 million tons in 2021.

Subsequently, the market volume eased to 1.03 million tons in 2022 as rising corn consumption for ethanol production competed for raw materials, before a sharp decline to 892 thousand tons in 2023 coincided with shifting consumer preferences towards healthier foods and the signing of new export protocols to China.

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. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Argentina
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K 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, K 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina 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 Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina 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 Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina 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 Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina 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 Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina 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 Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina 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 Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina 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 maize starch in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of maize starch from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Argentina's maize starch production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1,070 thousand tonnes, but it fell to 1,038 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 3.0% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 2.5% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.5%	2.5%	(3.0%)	0.7%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Maize starch production in Argentina declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 343.8 million US dollars, a modest drop of 6.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 379.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.2%	(2.8%)	(6.7%)	(2.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize starch from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

Argentina's maize starch export volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 40,430 tonnes, a sharp increase of 31.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 30,723 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 19.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(19.5%)	0.3%	31.2%	2.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina's maize starch exports in kind were heavily concentrated on Chile, which accounted for 72.8% of total flows, while other countries made up the remaining share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, maize starch exports from Argentina increased. In 2020, exports reached 13,391 thousand US dollars, up by 26.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10,609 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 20.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(20.4%)	(4.9%)	26.2%	(1.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Chile dominated Argentina's maize starch exports in value terms, accounting for 73.0% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports maize starch to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2018 at 601 tonnes, a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign maize starch supplies to Argentina totaled 1,461 tonnes, an abrupt advance of 70.8% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 60.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(60.9%)	42.4%	70.8%	(1.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil remained the leading supplier of maize starch to Argentina, accounting for 87.0% of total imports in kind, while the rest was spread across many other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign maize starch supplies to Argentina increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 829 thousand US dollars, a steep gain of 43.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 355 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 53.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 63.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(53.1%)	63.2%	43.1%	3.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the dominant market for Argentina's maize starch imports in value terms, taking 83.0% of total flows, while other countries together accounted for the residual share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io