Starch-manufacture residues market in MERCOSUR

Earlier Report Observations

The market for starch-manufacture residues in MERCOSUR grew from 330 thousand tons in 2018 to over 360 thousand tons in 2021, a period during which the export market remained concentrated and industrial activity supported demand for waste management solutions.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume contracted to 348 thousand tons in 2022 and fell sharply to 297 thousand tons in 2023. This decline coincided with the implementation of Brazil's updated technical standard NBR 10004:2024, which streamlined the classification of industrial residues and aligned them with international norms, facilitating a significant increase in export volumes that reduced domestic availability.

By 2024, the industry saw wider adoption of starch recovery systems in food processing, driven by environmental regulations and a focus on circular economy practices, further shaping market dynamics toward residue valorization and efficient resource use.

Production starch-manufacture residues in MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starch-manufacture residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of starch-manufacture residues, 2017-2020

Production of starch-manufacture residues in MERCOSUR declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output reached 348.8 K t, representing a 2.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 355.9 K t, with the largest year-on-year increase of 4.3% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of starch-manufacture residues production in MERCOSUR was 193.9 M $ US, marking an 8.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 6.1%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 178.7 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 5.0% that year.

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

Exports starch-manufacture residues from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

Exports of starch-manufacture residues from MERCOSUR have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 18 210 t, showing a moderate 7.0% growth compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 54.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chile dominated the export landscape for starch-manufacture residues in kind, accounting for 74.4% of total flows. Other trading partners held relatively minor shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of starch-manufacture residues exports from MERCOSUR has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value stood at 10 125 K $ US, reflecting a substantial 18.4% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 57.4%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 16.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Chile was the dominant player in export value terms, representing 76.5% of total flows. Other destinations accounted for relatively small shares of the export market.

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

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

Imports starch-manufacture residues to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, MERCOSUR imported 2 906 t of starch-manufacture residues, representing a 3.9% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 796 t, while the highest was in 2018 at 3 682 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 24.1% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with 10.1% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (6.0% of imports in kind), the United States (1.1%), and Italy (0.7%) formed the key group of suppliers for starch-manufacture residues imports to MERCOSUR. Together, these three countries accounted for 7.8% of total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of starch-manufacture residues to MERCOSUR declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 2 140 K $ US, showing a 10.2% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 25.4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 9.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 2 972 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 19.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with 3.7% growth.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France (20.9% of imports in value terms), the United States (5.1%), and Italy (3.3%) remained the principal suppliers of starch-manufacture residues to MERCOSUR. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 29.3% of total import value.

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

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