Maize starch market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The maize starch market in Western Europe showed initial stability before the COVID-19 pandemic sharply increased demand in 2020, as consumers turned to more processed and convenience foods, pushing market volume to 2.46 million tonnes. This surge was a direct response to changed consumption patterns during the health crisis.

Following the peak, market volume contracted in 2021 as cost inflation pressured production volumes across the starch industry. Although the market saw a modest recovery in 2022, it faced renewed pressure in 2023 from tighter raw material supplies, which led to a drop in starch production. During this later period, industry revenue in key markets like France rose significantly due to price adjustments, even as physical volumes declined.

Production maize starch in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

In Western Europe, maize starch production reached 2 291 K t in 2020, marking a significant 17.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 24.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.5%. The only decline during this timeframe occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Maize starch production in Western Europe has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 349 M $ US, reflecting a sharp 31.7% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 86.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.0%.

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

Exports maize starch from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed considerable volatility during these years. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2019 at 75.7 K t, then peaked in 2017, creating a 2.4-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Western Europe exported 131.8 K t of maize starch, representing a substantial 74.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports dropped by 54.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the export landscape for maize starch in kind was quite diverse. The United Kingdom accounted for 17.3% of exports, Poland for 4.1%, and Denmark for 3.7%, together making up just 25.1% of total flows. The remaining 74.9% was distributed among numerous other countries, indicating no single dominant partner.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Maize starch exports from Western Europe have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 126.4 M $ US, showing a modest 2.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the value-based export structure remained highly fragmented. The United Kingdom represented 22.7% of exports, Italy 3.7%, and Poland 3.5%, together accounting for only 29.9% of total flows. No single country emerged as clearly dominant, with the majority of exports spread across many smaller partners.

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

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

Imports maize starch to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Market behavior was marked by volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest level in 2019 at 151.2 K t, then climbed to a peak in 2020, resulting in a 2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Western Europe imported 299.6 K t of maize starch, a dramatic 98.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when imports fell by 45.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The import structure for maize starch in kind from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of trading partners. Spain accounted for 15.3% of imports, Italy for 4.1%, and Slovakia for 2.5%, together representing just 21.9% of total flows. The remaining 78.1% was spread across many smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, maize starch imports into Western Europe reached 215.6 M $ US, a 2.9% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 16.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 2.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 15.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. Spain represented 14.3% of imports, Italy 4.3%, and Slovakia 2.7%, together accounting for only 21.3% of total flows. The remaining 78.7% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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