Starches market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The Indian starch market expanded significantly from 161 million USD in 2018 to 251 million USD in 2019. This growth was fueled by consumer preference for clean and natural products, which increased demand for native starches over modified varieties. Leading domestic producer Santosh Starch Products Limited strengthened its market position with strategically located plants in agricultural regions. Additionally, industrialization and the expansion of end-user industries, supported by government incentives, boosted corn starch consumption.

Market size contracted to 158 million USD in 2020 and further to 132 million USD in 2021, before recovering to 136 million USD in 2022. During this period, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted consumer behavior toward processed foods, sustaining demand for starch as a thickener and stabilizer. By 2022, consumption trends favored healthy, plant-based, and convenient products, supporting market stabilization. Sustainability and clean labeling became key selection criteria, while companies invested in modified and specialized starches for industrial and food applications.

In 2023, the starch market surged to 219 million USD, indicating a strong rebound and continued growth trajectory.

Production starches in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India ranked as the 20th largest producer of starches globally.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

India's starches production saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2020, production reached 711.0 K t, marking a 6.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 26.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.1%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 761.1 K t, with the largest annual increase occurring in 2018 at 26.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

India's starches production increased for two years before falling. In 2020, the output was valued at 236.8 M $ US, representing a 17.7% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The highest value was in 2019 at 287.6 M $ US, and the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 27.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports starches from India

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility during these years. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.3-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, India's foreign starches supplies amounted to 276.0 K t, a sharp increase of 111.6% over the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 282.1 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 53.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 126.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for India's starches exports in kind were Indonesia (27.3% of exports), Malaysia (20.5% of exports), and the United Arab Emirates (10.2% of exports), together accounting for 58.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend over this period. Export volumes reached their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.3-fold variation between these years. In 2020, India exported starches worth 91 928 K $ US, an 86.5% increase year-over-year. The highest value was in 2018 at 98 025 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 49.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 128.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of starches from India in value terms were Indonesia (24.9% of exports), Malaysia (19.8% of exports), and the United Arab Emirates (10.0% of exports), collectively forming 54.8% of total exports.

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

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

Imports starches to India

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Imports reached their minimum in 2018 and their maximum in 2017, with a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, India's starches imports totaled 17.4 K t, showing a significant decline of 10.8% compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 16.0 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 72.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 22.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for India's starches imports in kind were Vietnam (29.2% of imports), Cambodia (22.2% of imports), and Thailand (18.2% of imports), together making up 69.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

India's cross-border shipments of starches increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 12 933 K $ US, up by 1.7% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 46.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 11 618 K $ US. The largest decline was in 2018 at 51.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 9.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for India's starches imports in value terms were Vietnam (19.1% of imports), France (18.1% of imports), and Cambodia (16.2% of imports), together accounting for 53.4% of total flows.

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

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