Starches market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian starch market expanded from 610.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 764.7 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was supported by a steady increase in domestic production, which rose from 732.6 thousand tons to 810.2 thousand tons over the same period, while exports more than halved from 163.4 thousand tons to 91.3 thousand tons, making more starch available for local consumption.

By 2023, average daily carbohydrate intake in Australia had fallen from 229 grams to 212 grams compared to 2011–12 levels, reflecting a shift in consumer eating patterns that may influence demand for starch-based foods. Despite this trend, the overall market volume continued to rise, reaching 764.7 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2025, market dynamics were influenced by product innovation and raw material conditions. Tate & Lyle expanded its native starch portfolio with new extra-dry varieties and E number-free adhesion starches, stimulating segment development. Concurrently, health-conscious and sustainability-driven consumer preferences, alongside stable wheat crop conditions affecting starch feedstock, continued to shape the industry's evolution.

Production starches in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Australia was among the world's leading producers of starches from 2018 to 2021, ranking 20th globally by production volume.

Top producers of starches, 2018-2021

World map of production of starches, 2018-2021

Australia's starch production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 734.7 K t of starches, marking a 2.8% year-on-year decrease. Production peaked in 2019 at 770.0 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Australia's starch output was valued at 314.6 M $ US, representing a 7.5% increase compared to the previous year. The value reached its lowest point in 2020 at 292.7 M $ US, while the highest was recorded in 2019 at 328.8 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with an 11.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports starches from Australia

Exports in kind, K t

Starch export volumes from Australia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 107.9 K t of starches, reflecting a moderate 5.2% decrease over the past year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 34%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States were the leading destinations for Australia's starch exports in volume terms. Indonesia accounted for 51.3% of exports, Thailand for 8.6%, and the United States for 7.7%, together representing 67.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Australia's starch exports in value terms increased in 2021. The country exported 46 216 K $ US of starches, showing a moderate 4.8% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 34%, equating to an annualized rate of -13.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 44 117 K $ US, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 21.5%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States remained the key destinations for Australia's starch exports in value terms. Indonesia held 47.8% of exports, Thailand 8.9%, and the United States 6.7%, collectively accounting for 63.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports starches to Australia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, foreign starch supplies to Australia totaled 51.2 K t, indicating a slight 0.6% increase relative to the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 23.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 55.3 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 33.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, with a 7.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand, China, and South Africa formed the core group of markets for Australia's starch imports in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 28.0% of imports, China for 12.4%, and South Africa for 10.4%, together representing 50.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, starch shipments to Australia from abroad totaled 40 598 K $ US, up by 7.4% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 35.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 2.3%, while the highest increase occurred in 2019 at 29.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, there was no single dominant market for Australia's starch imports in value terms. Thailand accounted for 25.6% of imports, China for 10.3%, and New Zealand for 9.8%, together taking only 45.7% of total import flows. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares, contributing to a more diversified import structure.

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

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