Starches market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the starch market volume in Eastern Europe expanded from 3,552 thousand tons to 4,983 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by import substitution efforts and the entry of new production capacities, such as the Gulkevichsky starch plant operating at full scale, which increased native starch output. The concurrent development of high-value-added modified starch segments further stimulated market activity.

Following a period of stabilization in 2020, the market rose again in 2021 but contracted to 4,336 thousand tons in 2022 due to a potato raw material shortage that curtailed wheat and potato starch production, alongside pressures from international sanctions. By 2023, however, resilient growth in corn starch manufacture and strengthening domestic demand restored the market volume to 4,889 thousand tons.

State-supported programs and industry associations actively promoted deep grain processing throughout the period, fostering export growth for starch products. These trends were intermittently influenced by logistical challenges and fluctuations in raw material prices, particularly for potato supplies.

Production starches in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

In Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), starch production reached 4 636 K t in 2020, representing a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 701 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 706 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 2.6%, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019, with a rise of 27.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, starch production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 464 M $ US, marking a substantial reduction of 14.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 20.5%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 6.4%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 868 M $ US, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 29.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports starches from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of starches from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) totaled 372.0 K t, reflecting a 2.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 376.4 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated starch exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). Germany accounted for 13.3% of exports in kind, Indonesia for 6.3%, and South Korea for 5.1%, together representing only 24.7% of total exports. The remaining share was distributed among numerous smaller partners, each with modest individual contributions.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Exported starch volumes from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 197.7 M $ US, which is 10.3% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 7.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 225.2 M $ US, with the largest increase also occurring that year at 22.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the export landscape in value terms was diverse. Germany contributed 11.9% of exports in value, South Korea 6.9%, and the United States 4.9%, together accounting for only 23.7% of total flows. The substantial majority, 76.3%, was directed to or from many other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports starches to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Starch imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 255.2 K t, showing a modest rise of 4.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The composition of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Lithuania accounted for 18.8% of imports in kind, Germany for 13.3%, and France for 6.4%, together forming just 38.4% of total flows. The remaining 61.6% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Starch shipments into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 150.5 M $ US, indicating a slight decline of 1.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 5.7%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 158.5 M $ US. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in value terms of starches to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated. Germany represented 17.4% of imports in value, Lithuania 9.3%, and France 7.9%, together capturing only 34.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020