Potato starch market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, potato starch production in Western Europe declined, influenced by dry summer conditions that reduced potato yields and contract shifts from starch potatoes to french fry varieties. The COVID-19 pandemic caused production disruptions but also boosted demand for potato starch as a binder in convenience foods, supporting market volume.

Between 2021 and 2022, rising input costs for fertilizer, energy, and labor, combined with weather extremes like droughts and floods, led to harvest losses and higher production expenses. These factors, alongside growing demand for organic potato starch and sustainable packaging, drove market value up to 720 million US dollars in 2022, despite modest physical volume growth.

By 2023, the closure of production facilities such as Haussimont in France and a reduction in starch potato cultivation areas resulted in a sharp drop in output to 634.6 thousand tonnes. A decrease in industrial use of potato starch for building materials and adhesives further dampened demand. Consequently, market volume fell to 284.6 thousand tonnes, with value declining to 400.1 million US dollars.

Production potato starch in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato starch, 2017-2020

Potato starch production in Western Europe has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 704 K t, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 12.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year increase, potato starch production in Western Europe experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 587.4 M $ US, marking a modest decrease of 7.3% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 633.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.8%.

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

Exports potato starch from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 295.9 K t of potato starch, representing a 16.8% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 253.3 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 305.3 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.0%.

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

The export market for potato starch in kind from 2017 to 2020 was highly diversified. South Korea accounted for 14.4% of exports, the United States for 10.5%, and the United Kingdom for 4.5%, together making up just 29.4% of total flows. The remaining 70.6% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe exported potato starch worth 246.9 M $ US, showing a moderate year-on-year increase of 8.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 10.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 5.9%.

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

The export market in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broadly based. South Korea represented 14.0% of exports, the United States 12.2%, and the United Kingdom 5.0%, collectively accounting for only 31.2% of total flows. The remaining 68.8% was shared by a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports potato starch to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, potato starch imports into Western Europe increased. In 2020, imports totaled 111.0 K t, rising by 50.7% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.9%, with a CAGR of -4.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 111.0 K t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 26.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark was the largest supplier of potato starch to Western Europe in kind, accounting for 20.3% of imports, followed by Poland at 4.1% and Sweden at 1.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 25.4% of total imports, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe imported potato starch worth 188.8 M $ US, indicating a robust increase of 13.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 19.9%, with a CAGR of 6.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 189.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 20.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 11.7%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, potato starch imports into Western Europe came from many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Denmark, Poland, and Sweden—together accounted for only 25.3% of total imports in value terms, underscoring the diversity of suppliers.

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

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