Starch-manufacture residues market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the starch-manufacture residues market in Southern Europe stood at 752 thousand metric tons. Growing industrialization and population increase in developing countries of the region led to higher volumes of industrial waste, including from food processing, which formed the basis for the market. Initial adoption of starch recovery systems in the food industry also focused on reducing waste and improving efficiency. However, in 2019, the market volume declined to 727 thousand metric tons. A recovery followed in 2020, with the market reaching 770 thousand metric tons, supported by the growing valorization of food industry waste in Europe, backed by EU funding for circular economy projects, and rising interest in biopolymers from food waste for applications like bioplastics and packaging.

The market expanded significantly to 868 thousand metric tons in 2021. This growth was driven by development and investment in starch recovery and waste reduction technologies, with a strong focus on sustainability and the circular economy. Expansion of production capacities and technological improvements for starch-based polymers further stimulated demand. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 886 thousand metric tons, underpinned by the widespread adoption of water recycling and starch reprocessing systems among food producers, which reduced wastewater loads. Growing environmental regulations and circular economy principles opened opportunities for starch recovery solutions, while increased demand for starch-based degradable bioplastics provided additional market support.

In 2023, market volume decreased to 758 thousand metric tons. During this period, the industry continued to see expansion of modified starch production lines, with investments from major players like Cargill and Roquette, and the opening of new starch processing plants in key countries. Increasing environmental and labeling regulations also influenced production. Industry developments in 2024 included further adoption of starch recovery systems by food producers and the launch of new modified starch products, alongside significant investments in new production facilities globally, reflecting a sustained focus on sustainability and technological advancement in the sector.

Production starch-manufacture residues in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starch-manufacture residues, 2017-2020

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

In Southern Europe, the production of starch-manufacture residues reached 678.2 K t in 2020, marking an 8.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 30.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 688.0 K t, which represented a 32.0% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with production dropping by 9.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the production value of starch-manufacture residues in Southern Europe declined in 2020. The output was valued at 355.9 M $ US, reflecting a significant decrease of 15.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 15.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 421.8 M $ US, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 37.3%.

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

Exports starch-manufacture residues from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, exports of starch-manufacture residues from Southern Europe rebounded in 2020. Exports reached 73.8 K t, representing a 50.2% increase over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 4.3%, with an annualized rate of 1.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 49.2 K t, which marked a 30.2% decline from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Turkey, and the United Kingdom were the primary buyers of starch-manufacture residues from Southern Europe in terms of volume. France accounted for 40.1% of exports, Turkey for 17.0%, and the United Kingdom for 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented 69.7% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe exported starch-manufacture residues valued at 38 751 K $ US, up by 16.5% from 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7%, with an annualized decline of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 33 261 K $ US, which represented a 22.9% drop from the previous year. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 43 127 K $ US.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Turkey were consistently the main destinations for exports of starch-manufacture residues in value terms. France led with 50.8% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 14.1% and Turkey at 5.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 69.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports starch-manufacture residues to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of starch-manufacture residues into Southern Europe increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 166.0 K t. This represented a 9.0% year-over-year gain. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 15.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 134.8 K t, which marked a 6.4% decline from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with imports rising by 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Austria were consistently the main sources for imports of starch-manufacture residues into Southern Europe in terms of volume. Hungary accounted for 36.0% of imports, Bulgaria for 10.3%, and Austria for 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented 56.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe imported starch-manufacture residues valued at 81 590 K $ US, reflecting a significant increase of 10.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.2% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 15.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, imports of starch-manufacture residues into Southern Europe in value terms were not heavily concentrated among a few key markets. Hungary accounted for 18.7% of imports, Bulgaria for 15.7%, and Austria for 8.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 43.2% of total import flows.

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

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