Starches market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine starch market opened the period with a production landscape dominated by a few large players, including Ingredion Argentina and ACA Bio, which together held a majority share. Supported by regulatory frameworks favoring local production, market volume grew from 1 047 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 076 thousand tons in 2019, fueled by rising demand for starch in high-value food segments like baby food, ice cream, and sports drinks.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 boosted demand for corn starch as a binder and disintegrant in pharmaceuticals, which helped offset declines in other segments, resulting in a slight market dip to 1 042 thousand tons. By 2021, volume rebounded to 1 100 thousand tons as investments in capacity expansion and a strong consumer shift toward natural, clean-label products stimulated consumption.

Market volume then stabilized around 1 079 thousand tons in 2022, influenced by global trends toward sustainable and clean-label starches. However, in 2023, the market contracted sharply to 939 thousand tons.

Production starches in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina ranked 13th globally in starch production.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Argentina's starch production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 1 069 K t of starches, marking a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 096 K t, with the largest annual increase of 3.1% also occurring that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Starch production in Argentina declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 354.1 M $ US, representing a modest 6.2% decrease year-over-year. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 386.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.3%.

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

Exports starches from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

Argentina's starch exports increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 40 430 t, showing a significant 31.2% rise compared to the previous year. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 31.3%, averaging an 11.8% annual decline. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 30 723 t, with the sharpest drop of 47.8% occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia were the top contributors to Argentina's starch exports in volume terms. Chile accounted for 64.6% of exports, Uruguay for 8.8%, and Saudi Arabia for 4.7%, together making up 78.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Argentina's starch exports increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, exports reached 13 391 K $ US, up by 26.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 34.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 609 K $ US, and the largest decline of 45.2% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chile, Uruguay, and Bolivia were the three main markets for Argentina's starch exports in value terms, collectively absorbing 79.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports starches to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Argentina's starch imports increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 12 827 t, reflecting a sharp 27.0% uptick from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 10 097 t, which also saw the largest decline of 31.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Paraguay, Germany, and Denmark were the largest sources of Argentina's starch imports in volume terms, together accounting for 81.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Starch imports into Argentina increased after a two-year contraction. In 2020, imports totaled 8 005 K $ US, showing a modest 4.0% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 35.7%, averaging a 13.7% annual decline. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 698 K $ US, with the largest drop of 28.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay, Germany, and Denmark accounted for the largest share of Argentina's starch imports in value terms. Paraguay contributed 42.8%, Germany 23.1%, and Denmark 13.2%, together comprising 79.0% of total import flows.

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

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