Potato starch market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Czech potato starch production declined from 21 070 t to 17 080 t, while the domestic market volume contracted from 16 019 t to 9 382 t. This period was marked by the 2018 ban on certain potato herbicides, which raised crop protection costs and made cultivation more expensive. Although EU production quotas were set near 33 660 t annually, actual output remained below this ceiling, influenced by a broader, long-term decline in the planted area for potatoes across the country. Concurrently, state subsidies under the EU Common Agricultural Policy continued to support starch potato growers, and the main producer, LYCKEBY AMYLEX, pursued modernization to improve processing efficiency.

The market rebounded in 2022, with production surging to 21 795 t and market volume rising to 12 360 t, before moderating in 2023 and reaching 20 122 t in 2024. The 2022 increase was supported by a dedicated planting of 5 300 hectares for starch potatoes, aided by EU subsidies of around CZK 76 million. LYCKEBY AMYLEX also invested in expanding its dextrin production capacity. Regulatory changes took effect, as Decree No. 397/2021 introduced new quality and labeling rules for processed potato products from January 2022, shaping market standards. Consumer preferences continued shifting toward smaller, pre-cleaned potato packages, influencing the broader potato sector.

In value terms, the market demonstrated a clear upward trend from 2021 to 2024, with the market size growing from $7.1 million to $13.5 million. This increase in value, even amid some physical volume fluctuations, was driven by the industry's strategic shift toward higher-value starch derivatives. Ongoing investments in dextrin and modified starch production lines, alongside the general modernization of facilities, enabled producers to capture greater value per ton, reflecting in the steady rise of both production and market value over the latter years.

Production potato starch in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Czechia's potato starch production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 11 756 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 13.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.7%, with an average annual decline of 7.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia ranked as the world's 9th largest producer of potato starch by volume.

Top producers of potato starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato starch, 2017-2020

Potato starch production in Czechia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 17 260 tonnes, down 5.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 26.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%.

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

Exports potato starch from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Potato starch exports from Czechia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 12 639 tonnes, a 7.2% decrease year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 32.4%, with an average annual decline of 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia's potato starch exports in volume terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Italy accounted for 17.4% of exports, Slovakia for 14.6%, and Germany for 9.5%, with these three countries together representing 41.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Potato starch exports from Czechia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 8 674 thousand US dollars, a 16.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 24.1%, with an average annual decline of 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia's potato starch exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Italy accounted for 16.9% of exports, Slovakia for 13.8%, and Poland for 9.9%, with these three countries together capturing 40.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato starch to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Potato starch imports into Czechia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 640 tonnes, a solid 11.9% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 60.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 26.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the main source for Czechia's potato starch imports in volume terms, accounting for 27.3% of imports, followed by Poland at 19.6% and Austria at 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 60.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Potato starch imports into Czechia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 4 313 thousand US dollars worth of potato starch, reflecting a slight 2.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 16.5%, with an average annual decline of 5.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 5 649 thousand US dollars, following a 9.3% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 21.9% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the leading source for Czechia's potato starch imports in value terms, accounting for 32.0% of imports, followed by France at 18.6% and Austria at 11.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 62.2% of total import flows.

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

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