Starches market in Colombia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Colombian starches market expanded from 48 498 t to nearly 60 000 t, supported by the country's established processing industry with around 72 starch manufacturers. This growth was fueled by increasing demand for starches in higher-value food products like functional and low-calorie foods, as well as a rising preference for natural and minimally processed ingredients. The market demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, maintaining stability due to abundant raw material supply and diversified industrial applications.

Market growth accelerated between 2021 and 2022, with volume reaching 87 788 t. This surge was driven by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's initiative to address a 60% supply shortfall by expanding industrial cassava milling capacity. Furthermore, Ingredion Incorporated's increased stake in Almidones de Sucre S.A.S. and plans for a new plant bolstered local production. However, a reduction in import tariffs on Asian starches from 20% to 5% in 2022 significantly increased import volumes, contributing to the overall market expansion that year alongside global supply chain pressures from the conflict in Ukraine.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 76 606 t. The competitive pressure from lower-priced imports following the 2022 tariff reduction persisted, impacting domestic producers. Concurrently, major market player Ingredion completed significant investments to expand its capacity for specialty, modified, and clean-label starches, enhancing the global supply chain flexibility for products like tapioca and potato starch within the Colombian context.

Production starches in Colombia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Colombia's starch production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 44 347 tonnes of starches, marking a moderate year-over-year improvement of 5.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 32.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Colombia's starch production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output of starches was valued at 20 605 thousand US dollars, up by 6.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 46.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Colombia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports starches from Colombia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, starch exports from Colombia have increased. In 2020, Colombia exported 10 191 tonnes of starches, which is 6.2% more than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 41%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 595 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 41.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador and Peru consistently accounted for 80.8% of Colombia's total starch exports in volume, indicating a high degree of market concentration, with a long tail of smaller markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Colombia's starch export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 4 735 thousand US dollars, representing a gradual gain of 7.4% compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 34.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 366 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 39.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador (62.3% of exports in value terms), Peru (11.3%), and Guatemala (6.0%) remained the principal buyers of starches from Colombia, jointly accounting for 79.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports starches to Colombia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of starches to Colombia amounted to 25 758 tonnes, down by 7.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 22 864 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 27 874 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 21.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Paraguay (32.2% of imports in volume), Argentina (14.3%), and Brazil (13.5%) played the leading roles in starch imports to Colombia, jointly accounting for 60.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, starch imports to Colombia from abroad declined. In 2020, Colombia imported 14 275 thousand US dollars worth of starches, indicating a reduction of 10.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 20.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 15 859 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 19.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay (33.3% of imports in value terms), Brazil (12.5%), and Argentina (10.3%) were the main sources for starch imports to Colombia, together accounting for 56.1% of total flows.

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

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