Maize starch market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the maize starch market volume in CIS countries grew from 221 thousand tons to 295 thousand tons. This increase was driven primarily by rising production, especially in Ukraine, where a record corn harvest in 2018 allowed starch output to expand by 26.5%. High demand from the food industry and the development of deep grain processing supported further growth in the following years.

Between 2021 and 2023, the market continued to expand, reaching 395 thousand tons. Regional production increased by over 70% compared to 2018, largely due to import substitution strategies and sustained investments in deep corn processing. The market is characterized by high concentration, with one company in Ukraine controlling around 90% of local production, while breeding efforts for waxy corn aim to enhance raw material efficiency.

Production maize starch in CIS

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 CIS has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 278 thousand tons, marking a 19.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 81.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.0%.

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

Exports maize starch from CIS

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports peaked in 2018 at 13 309 tons, then dropped to their lowest point in 2019 at 5 471 tons, creating a 2.4-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports from the CIS rebounded to 7 457 tons, representing a sharp increase of 36.3% over 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 58.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 41.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for maize starch exports in kind were Ukraine, Georgia, and Turkmenistan, which together accounted for 16.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of maize starch from the CIS totaled 11 239 thousand US dollars, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 2.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 24.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 482 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 12.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 38.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, and Georgia played leading roles in the value of maize starch exports from the CIS. Ukraine accounted for 12.8% of exports in value terms, Turkmenistan for 1.2%, and Georgia for 0.9%, with these three countries jointly representing 14.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize starch to CIS

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, imported maize starch volumes into the CIS totaled 23 964 tons, reflecting a year-over-year reduction of 9.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 22 529 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 26 522 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 10.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 17.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of maize starch in kind to the CIS were distributed across many countries. Ukraine, Germany, and France were the top contributors, accounting for 14.0%, 5.4%, and 2.4% of imports in kind, respectively, but together they represented only 21.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the volume of maize starch imports into the CIS declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 17 648 thousand US dollars, indicating a slight year-over-year decline of 1.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 23.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 17 906 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 21.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, imports of maize starch in value terms to the CIS were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Germany, Ukraine, and France were the leading sources, accounting for 18.2%, 9.7%, and 4.9% of imports in value terms, respectively, but together they made up only 32.7% of total import flows.

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

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