Starches market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The starch market in the Americas expanded from 21 969 thousand tons in 2018 to 26 399 thousand tons in 2021, a growth of over 20% across the period. This upward trend was primarily fueled by increased demand for processed and convenience foods during the COVID-19 pandemic, which boosted starch consumption in both food and non-food applications. Simultaneously, major industry players like Cargill invested in doubling production capacity for specialized starches, while broader sector investments flowed into clean-label solutions and tailored starch developments to meet global demand.

Market volume then contracted to 24 168 thousand tons in 2022, a decline of 8.5%, as processors faced margin pressure from volatile prices for corn, cassava, and potato raw materials. Strict new labeling regulations in North America and Europe further raised compliance costs. In 2023, the market stabilized around 24 270 thousand tons; the ongoing Ukraine conflict continued to disrupt grain markets and keep ingredient costs elevated, though continued investment in enzymatic modification and bioplastic precursor technologies helped diversify starch applications and support the market.

Production starches in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Starch production in the Americas grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 25 339 thousand tons of starch, marking a moderate increase of 8.9% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 21 843 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 3.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Starch production in the Americas expanded for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 20 980 million US dollars, representing a significant rise of 15.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 57.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.4%.

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

Exports starches from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Starch export volumes from the Americas increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 139.3 thousand tons, up 2.7% year-over-year. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 26%, translating to an annualized decline of 9.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018, at 126.1 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest drop of 33.0%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia were the key destinations for starch exports in volume terms, accounting for 1.1%, 0.8%, and 0.8% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 2.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Starch exports from the Americas in value terms grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 115.3 million US dollars, an increase of 8.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, at 93.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.0%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, at 13.8%.

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

The structure of starch exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of partners. Nigeria, Spain, and Portugal accounted for 0.8%, 0.6%, and 0.6% of exports, respectively, totaling just 2.0% of all flows. The remaining 98.0% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports starches to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, starch imports into the Americas rebounded. In 2020, the region imported approximately 219.8 thousand tons of starch, an increase of 8.4% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 31%, equivalent to an annualized drop of 11.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2019, at 202.8 thousand tons, while the largest decline of 20.9% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for starch imports in volume terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands, Germany, and Thailand accounted for 6.0%, 5.9%, and 4.6% of imports, respectively, together representing 16.5% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 83.5%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Starch imports into the Americas increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 277.8 million US dollars, a limited uptick of 5.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the country breakdown of starch imports in value terms remained scattered. Germany, the Netherlands, and Thailand accounted for 8.7%, 7.7%, and 4.8% of imports, respectively, totaling just 21.2% of all flows. No single partner emerged as clearly dominant.

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

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