Maize starch market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian maize starch market expanded from 12.2 million USD in 2018 to 14.1 million USD in 2019, supported by rising regional starch demand and the initiation of the Waxy corn project aimed at long-term capacity growth. Concurrent investments in the Medgidia starch plant, including increased storage to 120 000 t and improved logistics, bolstered processing capabilities and facilitated by‑product valorization through collaborations with animal feed sectors.

Market volume contracted to 8.8 million USD in 2020 before recovering to 10.0 million USD in 2021. The rebound was partly attributed to growing consumer and industrial interest in certified ecological starch products, with producers like Omnia Europe expanding their organic offerings and continuing to optimize factory infrastructure to meet demand.

In subsequent years, ongoing infrastructure upgrades—such as road and weighbridge expansions at the Medgidia site that doubled unloading capacity—along with preparations for a dedicated Waxy corn processing facility scheduled for 2025, aimed to strengthen the supply base. Legislative support via Romania’s Strategic PAC Plan 2023‑2027 provided financial backing for corn cultivation, although climatic and agronomic factors led to a reduction in planted area in 2023, highlighting the sector’s dependence on agricultural performance.

Production maize starch in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Production reached its lowest point in 2020, while peaking in 2019, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, maize starch output in Romania was valued at 10 922 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 40.7% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 18 409 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 34.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, Romania's maize starch production volume declined. In 2020, Romania produced 33 405 tonnes of maize starch, reflecting a 25.6% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production increased by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2017 at 29 402 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 44 890 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 32.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports maize starch from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 2.3 times. In 2020, Romania's cross-border shipments of maize starch totaled 11 826 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 39.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 19 445 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 76.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Greece, and Italy remained the main buyers of maize starch from Romania, accounting for 24.8%, 20.6%, and 18.8% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries formed 64.3% of Romania's total maize starch exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, maize starch shipments from Romania to abroad declined. In 2020, export volume reached 6 172 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 24.9% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 65.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 18.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 215 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 60.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Austria, Greece, and Italy remained the main markets for Romania's maize starch exports in value terms, accounting for 25.3%, 18.0%, and 14.6% of exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries took 57.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports maize starch to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Maize starch deliveries to Romania increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Romania imported 9 063 tonnes of maize starch, which is 5.2% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 665 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 31.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Italy remained the main sources for maize starch imports to Romania in kind, accounting for 41.5%, 21.9%, and 17.2% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported maize starch volumes to Romania increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 4 036 thousand US dollars, which is 2.7% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 635 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 18.3%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 8.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Germany played the leading roles in Romania's maize starch imports in value terms, accounting for 36.7%, 19.1%, and 16.1% of imports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 71.8% of total import flows.

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

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