Maize starch market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The maize starch market in Eastern Africa contracted from 76,581 t in 2018 to 69,187 t in 2022, as domestic production fell from 37,945 t to 32,121 t over the same period. During these years, governments in Rwanda and Uganda implemented agricultural intensification programs, distributed improved maize seeds, and invested in granary infrastructure to boost raw maize yields, though these measures did not immediately reverse the decline in starch output.

Market volume stabilized around 70,000 t in 2020-2021. In 2022, Tanzania designated maize as a priority crop for export and agro-processing, introduced new agrochemicals for pest control, and rolled out electronic payment systems to enhance market efficiency, setting the stage for a supply-side recovery.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2023, with the market expanding to 77,594 t, driven by a 12% increase in domestic production and a surge in imports. This growth aligned with Tanzania’s reported sharp rise in food crop production, which achieved 128% national self-sufficiency, supported by larger government budgets and structural reforms that streamlined licensing and improved credit access for agricultural businesses.

Production maize starch in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

Maize starch production in Eastern Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 32 588 tons of maize starch, representing a 6.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.2%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 37 945 tons. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019 at 7.9%, while the biggest increase was seen in 2018 with a 2.5% rise.

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

Exports maize starch from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. From 2017 to 2020, there was a significant fluctuation, with the peak value being seven times higher than the lowest point. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 184 tons of maize starch, marking an 80.8% year-on-year decrease. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with exports rising by 66.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Congo—collectively accounted for 21.5% of Eastern Africa's total maize starch exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values reached their highest point in 2017 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported maize starch worth 125 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic 76.0% decline compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 145.4% rise in export value.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan (11.2% of exports by value), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2.5%), and the United States (1.0%) were the main destinations for Eastern Africa's maize starch exports, together representing 14.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports maize starch to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, maize starch imports into Eastern Africa declined. In 2020, imports stood at 38 939 tons, down 1.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 39 694 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with imports rising by 7.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three primary markets—India, Pakistan, and Egypt—together absorbed 72.5% of Eastern Africa's total maize starch imports in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, maize starch imports into Eastern Africa declined. In 2020, the region imported maize starch worth 17 583 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a moderate 3.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 18 255 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was seen in 2018, with import value rising by 8.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India (31.2% of imports by value), Pakistan (19.6%), and South Africa (16.8%) were consistently the main sources for Eastern Africa's maize starch imports, together accounting for 67.6% of total import value.

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

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