Maize starch market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, maize starch production in Southern Asia more than doubled, rising from 405 thousand tons to 763 thousand tons. This strong expansion was initially fueled by significant capacity investments in the region's corn wet milling sector, with one major Indian processor beginning a fourfold capacity increase starting in 2018.

After a moderate contraction in 2022, output rebounded sharply in 2023. The recovery was primarily driven by a substantial rise in domestic maize production, which grew by roughly 30–33% over four years, largely due to soaring demand for ethanol, poultry feed, and industrial starch.

The market's evolution was further influenced by continuous product innovation and regulatory updates. Key manufacturers launched new clean-label and non-GMO starch variants, while authorities in important markets like India and Japan implemented revised standards for additives and labeling, fostering development of advanced starch derivatives.

Production maize starch in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

Southern Asia's maize starch production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 484.6 thousand tons of maize starch, marking a 14.7% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 33.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 10.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Southern Asia's maize starch production value has also increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 202.1 million US dollars, up 15.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 17.8%, with an average annual rate of 5.6%.

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

Exports maize starch from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Southern Asia's maize starch export volume declined. In 2020, exports totaled 30 911 tons, a decrease of 27.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 38.2%, averaging an 11.4% annual growth rate. The peak was in 2019 at 42 491 tons, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 45.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for maize starch in kind was diverse. Kenya accounted for 22.1% of exports, the United Arab Emirates for 13.2%, and Iraq for 10.8%, together making up just 46.2% of total flows. The remaining 53.8% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of maize starch exports from Southern Asia fell. In 2020, exports were valued at 12 890 thousand US dollars, down 26.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 22%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 17 615 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 32.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Asia's maize starch exports in value terms were traded with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq—collectively represented only 43.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports maize starch to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Maize starch imports into Southern Asia rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 30 541 tons, a sharp increase of 54.4% from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.2%, averaging a 4.2% annual decline. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 18 609 tons, with the largest annual drop also occurring in 2018 at 46.5%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, maize starch imports in kind were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Turkey contributed 10.1% of imports, South Korea 4.8%, and China 4.1%, together accounting for just 19.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Asia imported maize starch valued at 16 218 thousand US dollars, a 12.3% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 16 218 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 21 832 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 25.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, maize starch imports into Southern Asia in value terms were distributed among many countries. Turkey accounted for 8.8% of imports, South Korea for 6.7%, and China for 4.6%, together making up only 20.1% of total flows.

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

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