Potato starch market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian potato starch market displayed significant volatility between 2018 and 2023. Initial high market volume in 2018 was supported by industry consolidation and capacity expansion, even as stricter environmental policies led to the closure of some facilities and the opening of new ones. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains for table potatoes, contributing to a sharp contraction in imports and a reduction in overall market size. A recovery commenced in 2020, bolstered by government support for resuming operations and a growing consumer preference for clean-label and functional food products, which increased demand for potato starch.

Market growth continued into 2021, driven by sustained health trends and strengthened state policy support for the potato industry, which encouraged expanded cultivation and processing. This trend reversed in 2022 when the market faced intense competitive pressure from low-priced imported starch, which dampened domestic prices and led to a decrease in total market volume. By 2023, although physical market volume declined further, the market's value rose substantially. This was fueled by increased export activity and a shift in demand toward higher-value starch for specialized applications in functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

In 2024, the raw material base was strengthened by an increase in spring potato production and expanded planting area, though output in some regions remained volatile due to abnormal climate conditions. The market continued to be influenced by affordable import supplies affecting price levels, while the industry itself accelerated its digital transformation and adopted new financial tools to facilitate structural upgrades and higher-quality development.

Production potato starch in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato starch, 2017-2020

In 2019, Asia produced 10,998 tonnes of potato starch, which was the lowest level during the 2017-2020 period. Production then increased by 2.7% to reach 11,292 tonnes in 2020. Looking at the broader trend, output declined by 26.8% over these four years, translating to an average annual decrease of 9.9%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 18,415 tonnes, marking a 19.3% increase from the previous year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 40.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Potato starch production in Asia continued to decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at $11.808 million, down 11.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 16.5%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $17.855 million, representing a 26.3% increase. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 25.3%.

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

Exports potato starch from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Foreign potato starch supplies from Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Asia exported 16.3 thousand tonnes of potato starch, up 18.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest level was recorded in 2018 at 12.2 thousand tonnes, which marked a 15.6% decline from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for potato starch from Asia was quite diverse. Australia accounted for 10.0% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 2.8%, and the United States for 2.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 15.2% of total flows, while the remaining 84.8% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign potato starch supplies from Asia increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Asia exported $17.0 million worth of potato starch, showing a slight increase of 1.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 28.8%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $11.8 million, which represented a 10.6% decline. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 41.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of potato starch from Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Australia accounted for 11.9% of exports in value terms, the United States for 3.2%, and the Netherlands for 2.8%. Together, these three countries captured only 17.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato starch to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, potato starch imports into Asia increased. In 2020, imports reached 300.5 thousand tonnes, representing a solid increase of 21.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.6%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 3.0%. The lowest level was recorded in 2019 at 247.6 thousand tonnes, marking a 23.1% drop from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany accounted for 30.1% of imports in kind, the Netherlands for 23.7%, and Denmark for 19.3%. Together, these three countries represented 73.0% of total imports in kind, making them the main destinations for potato starch to Asia.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Asia's potato starch import volume amounted to $247.8 million, showing a moderate improvement of 8.6% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $228.3 million, which marked an 11.0% decline. The peak was in 2018 at $256.7 million.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets—Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark—remained central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 74.1% of total flows.

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

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