Starches market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian starch market volume fluctuated between 815,000 and 916,000 tons from 2018 to 2023. It peaked at 915.9 thousand tons in 2018, then declined over the next three years to a low of 815.1 thousand tons in 2021. A significant recovery followed in 2022, with the market expanding to 873.7 thousand tons, before stabilizing near 868.4 thousand tons in 2023.

The initial high volume in 2018 coincided with increased starch production across Europe, which reached 10.7 million tons that year, supporting market availability. In 2019, product innovation intensified as Ingredion launched its NOVATION® Lumina functional native starches for delicate foods, while ADM partnered to introduce new tapioca-based ingredients, diversifying supply sources. The market then contracted through 2021 before rebounding strongly in 2022. By 2023, innovation continued with Ingredion announcing a new non-GMO clean-label starch and Roquette investing in modified starch capacity for pharmaceutical use, signaling expansion into higher-value applications.

Entering 2024, the market is shaped by sustained demand for sustainable industrial starch, driven by biodegradable packaging needs and growth in the automotive and paper sectors. However, volatility in corn and potato prices poses a challenge for producers. Simultaneously, the clean-label trend and demand for natural ingredients continue to steer food manufacturers toward functional native and modified starches.

Production starches in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belgium was among the world's leading producers of starches from 2017 to 2020, ranking 16th globally by production volume.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Belgium's starches production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 866 K t of starches, which is 1.4% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%.

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

Exports starches from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, starches shipments from Belgium to abroad reached 81.9 K t, showing a gain of 5.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 13.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 15.8%, when exports peaked at 83.8 K t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, starches exports from Belgium were distributed across many countries. The Netherlands accounted for 20.2% of exports in kind, the United States for 19.4%, and the United Kingdom for 7.0%, together representing 46.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, starches shipments from Belgium to abroad amounted to 84 864 K $ US, marking a small rise of 1.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 13.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 12.8%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, starches from Belgium were supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—the United States, the Netherlands, and Italy—together represented only 43.1% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports starches to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Starches imports into Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 60.7 K t, marking a strong decrease of 15.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.6%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 52.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 67.5%, when imports peaked at 152.2 K t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—France, the Netherlands, and Germany—together accounted for 88.5% of total starches imports in kind to Belgium.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of starches imports into Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium imported approximately 40 369 K $ US of starches, corresponding to a robust decrease of 16.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 34.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 29.4%, when imports reached their maximum value of 73 553 K $ US.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France accounted for 42.1% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 29.4%, and Germany for 14.6%, forming the main cluster of markets with a combined share of 86.0% of total flows.

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

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