Potato starch market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German potato starch market volume grew from 152.7 thousand tons to 204.3 thousand tons. This expansion was supported by major players like Cargill investing in innovation, specifically launching new potato starch varieties for the growing plant-based meat alternative segment in 2018-2019. Concurrently, rising consumer interest in organic and clean-label foods boosted demand for potato starch as a natural ingredient. Although the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted foodservice channels in 2020, the broader trend toward healthier eating continued to underpin market growth.

Market volume then contracted to 169.4 thousand tons by 2022. COVID-19 related global supply chain bottlenecks in 2021 constrained raw material availability, while in 2022, heightened consumer demand for fresh potatoes in retail diverted some supply away from starch processing. A sharp recovery followed in 2023, with volume surging to 257.1 thousand tons. This was accompanied by record-high per capita potato consumption in Germany, exceeding 63 kg, which provided a demand base despite harvest challenges from frost and wet fields that raised production costs and tightened supply expectations.

In 2024, the market volume fell significantly to 102.4 thousand tons. A key driver was the sharp increase in potato prices in Germany, which raised production costs for starch manufacturers. The industry simultaneously saw ongoing shifts toward sustainable practices, such as adopting biodegradable packaging, but the immediate cost pressure from raw materials weighed on output.

Production potato starch in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's potato starch output was valued at 257.5 million US dollars, marking a solid 12.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany held the top position globally in potato starch production.

Top producers of potato starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato starch, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Germany's potato starch production volume rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 398.4 thousand tonnes of potato starch, up by 17.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 338.4 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 6.7% decrease.

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

Exports potato starch from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Germany's potato starch export volume recovered. In 2020, exports reached 264.1 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial 15.3% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 6.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 229.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export partner structure for potato starch in volume terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 18.7% of exports, South Korea for 16.1%, and the United States for 8.7%. Together, these three countries represented 43.5% of total export flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 56.5%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany exported 213.0 million US dollars worth of potato starch, reflecting a 7.2% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 198.7 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's buyer portfolio for potato starch in value terms was broad. The Netherlands accounted for 16.8% of exports, South Korea for 15.6%, and the United States for 10.7%. Together, these three countries contributed only 43.1% of total export value, while many other countries held smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Imports potato starch to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's potato starch imports from abroad totaled 69.9 thousand tonnes, showing a substantial 17.1% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 40.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 70.5 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 15.3% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 41.4% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands were the main sources for Germany's potato starch imports in volume terms. France accounted for 29.4% of imports, Denmark for 28.0%, and the Netherlands for 19.7%. Together, these three countries represented 77.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's foreign potato starch supplies reached 53.1 million US dollars, reflecting a robust 12.7% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 55.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.0% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 45.2% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Denmark, France, and the Netherlands played leading roles in Germany's potato starch imports in value terms. Denmark accounted for 28.0% of imports, France for 26.7%, and the Netherlands for 21.0%. Together, these three countries represented 75.7% of total import flows.

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

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