Maize starch market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The maize starch market in Turkey saw consistent growth from 2018 to 2022, with volume rising from 164 thousand tonnes to 258 thousand tonnes. This expansion was fueled by increasing consumer demand for plant-based and vegan-friendly products, which made maize starch a preferred ingredient. Market players responded by investing in R&D and establishing new production facilities. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further underscored the importance of local manufacturing, supporting domestic output. New product segments emerged, such as functional non-GMO starches for dairy alternatives, and the EU's widening ban on single-use plastics boosted demand for maize starch-based biodegradable packaging.

In 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 170 thousand tonnes, even as Turkey's corn harvest reached a record 9 million tonnes, ensuring ample raw material supply. The decline coincided with a significant increase in exports, which rose to 229 thousand tonnes from 165 thousand tonnes the previous year. Agricultural policy shifts, including a district-based production model implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, also affected market dynamics, while consumer preference for healthy, natural, and gluten-free products persisted.

Entering 2024, major companies introduced innovative products, such as Ingredion's non-GMO functional native maize starch for dairy applications and Royal Avebe's potato-based texturing solution, indicating ongoing diversification and investment in the modified starch segment. The trend toward eco-friendly packaging sustained demand for starch-based materials.

Production maize starch Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Turkey ranked 14th globally in maize starch production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of maize starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize starch, 2017-2020

Turkey's maize starch production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 413.8 K t of maize starch, marking a moderate increase of 6.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 35.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Maize starch production in Turkey expanded for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 145.9 M $ US, up 8.7% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 55%, with a CAGR of 15.7%.

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

Exports maize starch to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Turkey's maize starch export volume reached 202.9 K t, showing a slight decrease of 4.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 165.5 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 213.2 K t, with the largest increase of 28.8% also in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with Nigeria (18.6% of exports in kind), Iraq (11.2%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (9.8%) together accounting for just 39.6% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Turkey's maize starch exports declined in 2020, totaling 71 536 K $ US, a slight drop of 2.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 39.1%, with an annualized rate of 11.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 73 445 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 34.5%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad, as Nigeria (18.0% of exports in value terms), Iraq (11.3%), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (9.7%) jointly accounted for only 39.0% of total flows. The remaining 61.0% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports maize starch in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Turkey's maize starch import volume rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 2.1 K t, a significant increase of 35.5% over the past year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 18.8%, with a CAGR of 5.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 1.1 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 34.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—France, the Netherlands, and Italy—dominated imports in kind, together accounting for 76.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign maize starch supplies to Turkey increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 950 K $ US, up 46.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 36.7%, with an annualized rate of 11.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 174 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.7%.

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

In 2017-2020, France (36.1% of imports in value terms), the Netherlands (22.0%), and Italy (17.3%) led the structure of imports in value terms, together representing 75.4% of total flows.

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

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