Maize starch market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The maize starch market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) recorded a volume of 1 669 тыс. т in 2018. This level was supported by the entry of new manufacturers and capacity expansion in key regions like Tambov, which increased domestic production. However, the market volume dropped to 1 534 тыс. т in 2019 and then stabilized at 1 532 тыс. т in 2020, maintaining resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted global supply chains but boosted demand for biodegradable packaging and bio-based products.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, with the market reaching 2 074 тыс. т. This growth was driven by continued import substitution policies and increased domestic production of maize starch, facilitated by active industry associations such as the Association of Deep Grain Processing Enterprises 'Soyuzkrakhmal'. After this peak, the market contracted to 1 594 тыс. т in 2022 and further to 1 427 тыс. т in 2023.

Throughout the period, the market saw the emergence of modified food starches as a promising segment, supported by research on waxy corn varieties and applications in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and biofuels. Geopolitical sanctions also played a role, encouraging domestic production and export growth for starch products.

Production maize starch in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) produced 1 633 K t of maize starch, showing little change from the previous year. Production declined by 3.1% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decrease of 1.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 762 K t, which represented a 4.5% increase. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with production falling by 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of maize starch output in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was 757.8 M $ US, showing only minor variation compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 757.4 M $ US, marking a 7.4% decline. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 818.3 M $ US, which represented a 6.7% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports maize starch from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Maize starch exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 187.9 K t, a 3.9% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 35.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (11.6% of exports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (5.5%), and Greece (5.5%) were among the largest buyers of maize starch from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). However, together they accounted for just 22.6% of total exports in kind, reflecting a highly diversified partner base.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of maize starch exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third straight year in 2020, reaching 87 186 K $ US, up 4.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 38.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The partner structure for maize starch exports in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Indonesia (9.6% of exports in value terms), Greece (6.0%), and the United Arab Emirates (4.8%) together represented only 20.4% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize starch to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Maize starch imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rose for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 86.5 K t, a 6.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 46.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, maize starch was supplied to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Germany, France, and Austria—together accounted for only 19.3% of total imports in kind.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, maize starch imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were valued at 57 959 K $ US, showing little change from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 57 949 K $ US, a 7.0% decline. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 62 300 K $ US, representing a 7.2% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for maize starch imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Germany (16.2% of imports in value terms), France (7.2%), and the Netherlands (7.0%) together accounted for only 30.4% of total imports in value terms, while many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020