Maize starch market in Syria

Earlier Report Observations

The Syrian maize starch market grew from 24.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 30.0 thousand tonnes in 2019, supported by a near-doubling of domestic corn production which increased raw material availability for starch manufacturers. However, the market contracted slightly to 29.0 thousand tonnes in 2020 as foreign currency regulations tightened access to imported agricultural inputs and rising feed prices diverted more corn toward livestock use.

Market volume recovered to 30.3 thousand tonnes in 2021, driven by rising demand for packaged foods across the region and continued government price supports for dry corn that stabilized feedstock supplies. Growth continued to 32.5 thousand tonnes in 2022 despite regional corn price hikes from large‑corporate buying, though drought conditions began to pressure local corn harvests.

In 2023, the maize starch market fell to 28.8 thousand tonnes as ongoing war‑related sanctions disrupted fertilizer supplies and raised production costs, curtailing both domestic corn output and starch imports. The following year, imports surged by 49% to 28.8 thousand tonnes after the government set guaranteed corn purchase prices and introduced electronic‑payment regulations that streamlined raw‑material procurement.

Production maize starch in Syria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

In 2020, Syria produced 7,880 tons of maize starch, marking a 5.5% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6,644 tons. That same year saw the sharpest drop of 23.9%, while 2019 experienced the largest increase at 25.5%.

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

Exports maize starch from Syria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 10.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Syria exported 24 tons of maize starch, representing a 47.2% decline compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 15 tons. That year also saw the largest decline of 90.4%, while 2019 registered the biggest increase at 203.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon dominated Syria's maize starch exports in volume, accounting for 73.9% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2017, showing a 4.3-fold shift. In 2020, Syria's maize starch exports totaled $27,000 US, reflecting a 48.3% contraction year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $20,000 US. That year also saw the largest decline of 76.6%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 159.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Lebanon, the Netherlands, and Germany—together absorbed 76.2% of the total value of Syria's maize starch exports.

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

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

Imports maize starch to Syria

Imports in kind, t

After two years of improvement, Syria's maize starch import volumes declined. In 2020, imports came to 21,132 tons, which is 2.8% lower year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 38.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 21,750 tons. That year also saw the largest increase of 21.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the country structure of Syria's maize starch imports in volume was primarily shaped by Egypt and Turkey, which together accounted for 91.4% of total flows. Other markets formed a long tail of smaller contributors.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Maize starch deliveries to Syria increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at $8,326,000 US, amounting to a slight rise of 0.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 69%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt and Turkey consistently accounted for 90.9% of the total value of Syria's maize starch imports, indicating a high degree of market concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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