Starches market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian starch market expanded from 577 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 647 thousand tons in 2021, driven by increased domestic production. However, the market contracted to 558 thousand tons by 2023. In 2022, market volume declined as rising prices, supply shortages, and altered consumer behavior—stemming from global pandemic effects and the energy crisis—reduced demand. Concurrently, new consumer protection regulations, including enhanced sustainability and labeling requirements under EU directives, introduced additional compliance factors for market participants.

Production growth during 2020-2021, reaching over 623 thousand tons, supported the market's upward trajectory, while imports remained relatively stable. The subsequent downturn in 2022-2023 saw production drop to 533 thousand tons, mirroring the overall market contraction. Although specific starch-sector events were not widely reported, the broader economic and regulatory environment played a visible role in shaping market dynamics during this period.

Production starches in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Austria ranked as the 21st largest producer of starches between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

In 2020, Austria produced 600 thousand tons of starches, representing a 9.0% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.3%.

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

Exports starches from Austria

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 43 tons and peaked in 2020 at 262 tons, resulting in a 6.1-fold variation between these years. In 2020, starches exports from Austria surged by 44.4% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 9.6%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2019, rising by 322.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the leading destinations for Austria's starches exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 50.0% of exports, the United Kingdom for 10.3%, and the United States for 8.2%, collectively making up 68.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values hit a low in 2018 at 151 thousand US dollars and a high in 2020 at 796 thousand US dollars, showing a 5.3-fold variation. In 2020, Austria's starches exports in value terms jumped by 47.6% year-over-year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 1.5%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, soaring by 258.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States were the primary buyers of starches from Austria in value terms. Germany represented 49.0% of exports, the United Kingdom 9.9%, and the United States 9.2%, together comprising 68.1% of total export value.

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

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

Imports starches to Austria

Imports in kind, t

Austria's starches imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, dropping to 17 078 tons, which was an 11.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 24 997 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, down by 23.0%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, up by 40.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Romania, and France were the main sources for Austria's starches imports in volume terms. Germany contributed 25.1% of imports, Romania 16.0%, and France 14.8%, together accounting for 55.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Austria's starches imports in value terms declined for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 14 500 thousand US dollars, a 1.5% reduction from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The peak value was in 2018 at 16 775 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, down by 12.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, up by 40.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, three key markets—Germany, Belgium, and France—collectively absorbed 62.1% of Austria's total starches imports in value terms.

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

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