Starch-manufacture residues market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for starch-manufacture residues in South Africa began the period at nearly 22 000 t in 2018, supported by state-led industrial development initiatives such as the Industrial Development Corporation's promotion of the starch manufacturing sector. However, the market volume then contracted sharply over the next two years, falling to around 13 000 t by 2020.

A turnaround began in 2021, with the market growing steadily to reach 19 000 t by 2023. This recovery coincided with the increased visibility of notable players and distributors specializing in potato and cassava starch, which helped strengthen supply and demand within the sector.

In the following years, market dynamics were shaped by broader trends including a shift in consumer preferences toward healthier and more sustainable food options, technological advancements in the food and beverage industry, and improving economic conditions such as slowing price inflation and stabilized energy supply. These factors supported demand for starch-based products, while regulatory developments and global commodity price movements continued to influence production costs and market access.

Production starch-manufacture residues in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, South Africa ranked as the world's 30th largest producer of starch-manufacture residues.

Top producers of starch-manufacture residues, 2018-2021

World map of production of starch-manufacture residues, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, South Africa's production of starch-manufacture residues rebounded in 2021. The country produced 16 041 tonnes that year, representing a 7.4% increase compared to 2020. However, looking at the broader 2018-2021 period, overall production fell by 22.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 14 932 tonnes, which also saw the steepest year-on-year drop of 22.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports starch-manufacture residues from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period, reflecting an unstable market environment. The lowest point came in 2018, while exports peaked in 2019 at 3 567 tonnes—a 1.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2021, South Africa exported 2 820 tonnes of starch-manufacture residues, a modest 1.4% increase from the previous year. The most dramatic changes occurred in 2019 with a 94.6% surge, followed by a sharp 22.0% contraction in 2020.

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

From 2018 through 2021, Namibia, Zambia, and Eswatini dominated South Africa's starch-manufacture residues exports, collectively accounting for 99.2% of total shipments. Namibia led with 36.4% of exports, followed closely by Zambia at 33.1%, and Eswatini at 29.7%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

South Africa's export earnings from starch-manufacture residues grew for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 2 334 thousand US dollars—a substantial 27.1% increase from the previous year. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, export value surged by 154.7%, translating to an impressive average annual growth rate of 36.6%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Zambia, Namibia, and Eswatini remained the primary destinations for South Africa's starch-manufacture residues exports by value, together representing 98.2% of total earnings. Zambia accounted for 37.4% of export value, followed by Namibia at 33.8%, and Eswatini at 27.0%.

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

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

Imports starch-manufacture residues to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

South Africa's imports of starch-manufacture residues declined for the third straight year in 2021, totaling just 508 tonnes—a sharp 43.0% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import volumes plummeted by 83.7%, with an average annual decline of 45.4%.

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

China maintained overwhelming dominance in South Africa's starch-manufacture residues imports from 2018 to 2021, consistently supplying 88.1% of total import volume. The remaining share was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import spending on starch-manufacture residues fell for the third consecutive year in 2021, dropping to 415 thousand US dollars—a 22.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value contracted by 80.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 41.8%.

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

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, China was the dominant supplier of starch-manufacture residues to South Africa by value, accounting for 81.5% of total import spending. Other countries shared the remaining portion of imports.

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

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