Potato starch market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Russian potato starch market was heavily reliant on imports, which more than doubled domestic production. By 2019, market volume contracted to 20,555 t, primarily due to a sharp 38% drop in imports. However, the market began recovering in 2020, supported by an embargo on foreign raw materials that stimulated local output and increased demand for ready-made potato products during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2021-2023 period saw significant fluctuations. In 2021, market volume surged to 31,521 t, driven by a spike in imports fueled by growing demand for convenient snacks and semi-finished goods. However, in 2022 and 2023, protective measures including higher import duties and geopolitical sanctions started to curb imports. Simultaneously, record potato harvests created a raw material surplus, enabling starch production to rise to 18,401 t by 2023, partially offsetting the import decline and leading to a market correction to 29,104 t.

By 2024, the import substitution trend strengthened: domestic potato starch production jumped to 26,691 t while imports continued to shrink. This pushed market volume up to 36,734 t. In 2025, production remained high at 27,027 t, confirming the sustained growth of Russia's potato processing capacity.

Production potato starch in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Russia ranked 13th globally in potato starch production.

Top producers of potato starch, 2018-2021

World map of production of potato starch, 2018-2021

Russia's potato starch production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 11 483 tonnes, marking a 3.1% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 42.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports potato starch from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed volatility during the observed period. The lowest level was in 2018, while the highest was in 2020, with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Russia exported 2 418 tonnes of potato starch, down 39.7% year-over-year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, at 166.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine were the top destinations for Russia's potato starch exports by volume. Belarus accounted for 36.5% of exports, Kazakhstan for 25.2%, and Ukraine for 22.7%. Together, these three countries represented 84.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited volatility over the period. The lowest was in 2018, and the highest in 2019, with a 2.7-fold variation. In 2021, potato starch exports from Russia totaled 1 762 thousand US dollars, a sharp decline of 28.0% compared to 2020. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019, at 174.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine were the main markets for Russia's potato starch exports by value. Belarus contributed 34.0% of export value, Kazakhstan 31.3%, and Ukraine 18.0%. Collectively, these three countries made up 83.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports potato starch to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia's potato starch imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 22 565 tonnes, a significant rise of 54.1% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2019, at 14 322 tonnes, which represented a 26.6% decline that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark, Belarus, and Germany were the largest sources of potato starch imports to Russia by volume. Denmark accounted for 24.6% of imports, Belarus for 21.1%, and Germany for 21.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 66.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Russia's potato starch import values increased. In 2021, imports amounted to 15 867 thousand US dollars, a substantial jump of 36.9% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import values rose by 10.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, at 11 588 thousand US dollars, following a 14.3% decrease in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Denmark, and Belarus were the primary sources for Russia's potato starch imports by value. These three countries together accounted for 65.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021