Maize starch market in Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Paraguayan maize starch market volume expanded from 82.3 thousand tons to 96.4 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by technological improvements in corn cultivation, including the adoption of transgenic events that raised productivity and supported larger domestic corn yields. Concurrently, investments in grain processing capacity by industry groups like the Paraguayan Chamber of Oilseed and Cereal Processors (CAPPRO) bolstered the starch production base. By 2021, the launch of new maize starch product portfolios by local processors, such as Codipsa, which optimized industrial operations for year-round supply, further strengthened local market offerings.

After peaking in 2021, the domestic market volume declined to 82.7 thousand tons by 2023, even as production remained above 106 thousand tons. This contraction was largely due to a sharp rise in starch exports, which more than doubled from 2021 to 2023. The increased export orientation was fueled by growing global demand for specialty and sustainable starches, alongside expansions by major international starch producers that likely intensified competition and export opportunities. Additionally, drought conditions and operational uncertainties in the agricultural sector, noted from 2020 onward, affected raw material costs and industrial competitiveness, constraining domestic market growth.

Regulatory developments, including the implementation of new MERCOSUR technical standards and national labeling symbols for foodstuffs, introduced new compliance parameters for starch marketing from 2022. These changes coincided with broader global supply chain pressures, such as the war in Ukraine, which increased ingredient costs. Meanwhile, shifting consumer preferences towards local and gluten-free foods continued to shape demand patterns within the food industry, supporting niche demand for maize starch despite the overall reduction in domestic market volume.

Production maize starch in Paraguay

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Paraguay maintained the 28th position globally in terms of maize starch production volume.

Top producers of maize starch, 2018-2021

World map of production of maize starch, 2018-2021

Maize starch production in Paraguay grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Paraguay produced 105.7 K t of maize starch, marking a 4.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production rose by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports maize starch from Paraguay

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Paraguay's maize starch export volume was 10 998 t, representing a 21.0% decrease from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 17.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 765 t, while the highest was in 2020 at 13 927 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 26.9%, and the largest increase was in 2020, rising by 42.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay were the main destinations for maize starch exports from Paraguay, accounting for 84.5% of total exports in kind. Chile led with 46.9%, followed by Brazil at 30.7%, and Uruguay at 6.8%.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Maize starch export values from Paraguay increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 5 108 K $ US, up by 17.8% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 24%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 913 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 29.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, rising by 48.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Paraguay in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay were the primary buyers of maize starch from Paraguay in value terms, jointly accounting for 82.7% of total exports. Chile contributed 47.5%, Brazil 28.4%, and Uruguay 6.7%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Paraguay in value, 2018-2021

Imports maize starch to Paraguay

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period, with import levels fluctuating significantly. In 2021, Paraguay's maize starch imports stood at 1 731 t, an 87.0% increase compared to 2020. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 584 t, with the largest decline that year at 28.5%. Imports varied by a factor of three between the high in 2021 and the low in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil dominated Paraguay's maize starch imports in kind, accounting for 71.3% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Paraguay in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Maize starch import values in Paraguay increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 859 K $ US, up by 11.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 9.6%, with a CAGR of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 530 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 32.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, rising by 45.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Paraguay in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil and Argentina accounted for the majority of maize starch imports to Paraguay in value terms, while other markets played a less significant role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Paraguay in value, 2018-2021