Starches market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

The starch market in Bolivia reached 88 395 t in 2018 before contracting sharply to 58 849 t in 2019. This significant drop in market volume coincided with reported severe problems in the production or commercialization of corn starch, which saw a 100% decline in export value between 2018 and 2019.

Following the initial shock, market volume showed a partial recovery to 64 409 t in 2020 but then entered a prolonged downtrend, falling to 49 431 t by 2023. Imports of starch also steadily decreased throughout the period, reflecting the overall contraction in domestic consumption.

By 2024, the market landscape saw the potential entry of a new player, with Almidones de Sucre negotiating to export cassava starch to Bolivia, indicating a shift in supply sources even as import volumes continued to decline.

Production starches in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Bolivia's starch production rebounded in 2020. The country produced 49 145 tonnes of starches that year, marking a 14.3% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 42.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 17.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 43 005 tonnes, which also saw the steepest year-on-year drop of 41.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bolivia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports starches from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2019, with a dramatic 37-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bolivia exported 1 tonne of starches, which represents a 157.1% increase from the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at just 0.4 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 94.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Free Zones dominated Bolivia's starch exports in volume terms, together accounting for 100.0% of the total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Exports in value terms reached their highest point in 2017 before plummeting to their lowest in 2019, with a staggering 90-fold swing. In 2020, cross-border shipments of starches from Bolivia totaled 1 000 US dollars, up by 157.1% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 400 US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 97.8% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States effectively monopolized Bolivia's starch exports in value terms, capturing 90.7% of the total flows.

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

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

Imports starches to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Bolivia's starch imports declined in 2020. The country imported 15 266 tonnes of starches that year, representing a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 15 844 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 10.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two markets—Brazil and Paraguay—played the leading roles in Bolivia's starch imports by volume, together accounting for 83.3% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's starch import value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The import volume stood at 6 588 000 US dollars that year, indicating a 5.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 439 000 US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 17.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a rise of 9.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay and Brazil consistently accounted for 83.4% of Bolivia's total starch imports in value terms, indicating a high degree of market concentration alongside a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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