Starches market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The starch market in Africa showed strong and continuous growth from 2018 to 2023, with the total market volume increasing from 1 476 thousand tons to 2 435 thousand tons. A significant surge occurred in 2021, when the market expanded by over 35% to reach 2 263 thousand tons, supported by a rise in domestic production to 2 021 thousand tons and sustained import levels.

Market growth continued in 2022 and 2023, reaching 2 345 thousand tons and 2 435 thousand tons respectively. This period was characterized by increased demand for starches as a key ingredient, driven by the growing penetration of ultra-processed foods across Africa. Dietary patterns became more westernized, leading to higher consumption of convenience and packaged foods, which in turn boosted the need for starch in food manufacturing.

Domestic production capacity increased steadily throughout the period, from 1 349 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 169 thousand tons in 2023, helping to supply the expanding market. The overall trend highlights the rising importance of starches within Africa's evolving food processing sector.

Production starches in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Africa's starch production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 1,468 thousand tons of starches, marking a gradual year-over-year increase of 3.3%. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.8%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Africa's starch output was valued at 720.0 million US dollars, showing a steady increase of 8.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 18.4%, with an annualized rate of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 734.8 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 10.1%. The most significant increase was in 2018, at 20.9%.

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

Exports starches from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Africa's starch export volumes declined. In 2020, the continent exported 92.4 thousand tons of starches, reflecting a slight decrease of 1.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 87.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 23.3%. The peak volume was in 2019 at 93.6 thousand tons, and the largest increase was also in 2019, at 54.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's starch exports in kind were relatively evenly distributed. Syria accounted for 12.6% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 9.8%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 6.5%. Together, these three partners made up 28.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Africa's starch exports in value terms have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 45.3 million US dollars, up 4.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 85.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, were the largest but not dominant buyers of African starches in value terms. Syria accounted for 13.7% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 10.2%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 6.5%. Combined, they represented 30.3% of total export value, with many smaller partners making up the rest.

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

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

Imports starches to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's starch import volumes have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 293.8 thousand tons, showing a solid rise of 21.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 27.3%, with an annualized rate of 8.4%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 187.0 thousand tons, with the largest decline that year at 19.0%. The biggest increase was in 2019, at 29.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, India, and China were the main sources for Africa's starch imports in kind. Turkey accounted for 31.5% of imports, India for 11.7%, and China for 7.4%. Together, they represented 50.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's starch imports in value terms have grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 161.8 million US dollars, reflecting a dramatic increase of 40.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 42.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 12.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 95.8 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 15.8%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Africa's starch imports in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Turkey accounted for 28.9% of imports, India for 10.1%, and China for 9.8%. Together, these three countries made up 48.8% of total import flows.

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

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