Potato starch market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian potato starch market experienced a sustained contraction in volume from 46,249 tons in 2018 to 30,452 tons in 2023. The initial slight decline in 2019 was influenced by the aftereffects of the record summer of 2018, which led to lower potato harvests and reduced stocks across Europe, tightening the raw material base for starch production.

A more pronounced downturn occurred from 2020 onward, primarily driven by structural shifts in the agricultural sector. Contracted cultivation areas for starch potatoes had fallen by 18% since 2018, directly reducing the supply of raw material for processing. This trend continued into 2023, where a reported slight decrease in the overall potato harvest further constrained production volumes and contributed to the market's decline.

Despite the overall market contraction, the organic potato starch segment recorded strong growth of 38% in 2022, reflecting rising consumer demand for sustainable and plant-based food ingredients. However, this expansion in a niche segment was insufficient to offset the broader decline in conventional production and total market volume.

Production potato starch in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Austria ranked 7th globally in potato starch production volume.

Top producers of potato starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato starch, 2017-2020

Austria's potato starch production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 41.7 K t of potato starch, marking a 2.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 11.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 42.9 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase occurring in 2018 at 14.2%.

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

Exports potato starch from Austria

Market research indicates that Austria did not export any potato starch between 2017 and 2020.

Imports potato starch to Austria

Imports in kind, t

Austria's potato starch imports fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 2 689 t, reflecting a significant 13.1% drop compared to the year before. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 16.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.0%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 3 628 t. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 12.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the top sources for Austria's potato starch imports by volume. Germany accounted for 38.4% of imports, the Netherlands for 30.5%, and France for 10.7%. Together, these three countries made up 79.6% of Austria's total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Austria's potato starch imports in monetary terms reached 2 171 K $ US, up 4.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 085 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 2 800 K $ US. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 25.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France remained Austria's key partners for potato starch imports by value. Germany contributed 43.2% of the import value, the Netherlands 25.5%, and France 10.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 79.1% of Austria's total import flows in monetary terms.

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

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