Maize starch market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, higher maize yields in Italy improved raw material availability for starch production, supported by a government-led technical table aimed at strengthening the corn sector through supply chain contracts and quality incentives. This contributed to a stable market foundation. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains but coincided with a recovery in Italy's maize starch market volume to 325 thousand tons, reflecting adjusted demand patterns during the period.

Investments by major players like AGRANA in specialized waxy maize starch projects spurred innovation in 2021. However, 2022 brought significant price volatility for maize due to extreme weather and geopolitical tensions, which elevated the market's value to 256 million US dollars despite a drop in physical volume. By 2023, rising production costs and falling import prices pressured domestic producers, while a shift in import sourcing contributed to a sharp contraction in market volume to 252 thousand tons.

The market rebounded in volume to 313 thousand tons in 2024, driven by company investments in supply chain digitalization and growing demand for maize starch-based bioplastics, supported by sustainability policies.

Production maize starch in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's maize starch production was valued at 174.0 million US dollars, marking a 7.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 162.1 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 179.6 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 9.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with growth of 8.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked 17th globally in maize starch production volume.

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 312.7 thousand tonnes of maize starch, representing a significant increase of 15.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 10.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 271.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.2%.

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

Exports maize starch from Italy

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's maize starch exports reached 50 217 tonnes, showing a slight decline of 0.9% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 46 187 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 50 684 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 with a 6.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with growth of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's maize starch exports were widely distributed across destinations. France accounted for 23.5% of exports in volume, Malta for 9.2%, and Germany for 9.0%, together making up 41.7% of total flows. The remaining 58.3% was spread across numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's maize starch exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 28 241 thousand US dollars, a 2.1% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 13.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 24 767 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with growth of 11.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, Germany, and Malta were key buyers of Italian maize starch in value terms, accounting for 22.6%, 11.0%, and 7.5% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 41.1% of total export value, with the remaining 58.9% distributed among many other trading partners.

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

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

Imports maize starch to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Italy's maize starch imports declined in 2020, totaling 62 657 tonnes, down 21.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.3%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 79 657 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with growth of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Slovenia, and Spain were the main sources of Italy's maize starch imports in volume terms. Austria accounted for 27.3% of imports, Slovenia for 22.9%, and Spain for 11.7%, together representing 61.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of improvement, Italy's maize starch import value fell in 2020, totaling 28 169 thousand US dollars, a significant decline of 15.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 33 403 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with growth of 20.1%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Austria, Slovenia, and Spain were the primary suppliers of maize starch to Italy in value terms. Austria accounted for 24.6% of imports, Slovenia for 19.9%, and Spain for 10.3%, together comprising 54.8% of total import value.

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

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