Starches market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Italian starches market reached 761 thousand tons. That year, Italy published legislative decree no. 231, which aligned national sanctions with EU food information regulations, affecting food producers using starches. The market volume then dropped sharply to 462 thousand tons in 2019.

A recovery began in 2020 as the market grew to 530 thousand tons. In September 2020, Italy issued legislative decree no. 116/2020, introducing mandatory environmental labeling for packaging under EU waste directives. However, the labeling obligation was suspended for all of 2021, allowing the market to expand further to 553 thousand tons. The suspension was extended through 2022, and technical guidelines for labeling were published in September 2022, helping the market reach 562 thousand tons.

The landscape shifted in 2023 when mandatory environmental packaging labeling took effect on January 1. This increased compliance costs, and combined with reported low economic growth and household consumption stagnation in the packaging sector, contributed to a market decline to 468 thousand tons. In 2024, the market rose to 545 thousand tons, amid the adoption of the new EU packaging regulation intended to transform the sustainable packaging industry from 2026.

Production starches in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy ranked as the 22nd largest producer of starches globally.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 456.9 K t of starches, marking a solid 16.1% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production overall decreased by 24.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 393.7 K t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 696.7 K t. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, when production fell by 43.5%.

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

Exports starches from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Following two consecutive years of growth, Italy's starches exports declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 74.3 K t, representing a 14.8% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 87.2 K t, with the largest increase of 10.0% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Malta were the top buyers of Italian starches, accounting for 28.1%, 9.7%, and 5.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 43.6% of total exports, indicating a relatively diversified export structure with no single country dominating.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, the value of Italy's starches exports declined in 2020. Exports totaled 41 139 K $ US, down 12.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 47 028 K $ US, while the largest increase of 12.1% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's starches exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. France, Germany, and Spain were the leading destinations, contributing 25.7%, 11.2%, and 5.1% of export value, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 42.0% of total flows, reflecting a diversified export market.

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

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

Imports starches to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year upward trend, Italy's starches imports declined in 2020. Imports stood at 147.9 K t, down 4.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 11.5%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 155.4 K t, with the largest increase of 8.5% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, France, and Germany were the primary suppliers of starches to Italy, accounting for 28.5%, 13.4%, and 11.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 53.1% of total imports, highlighting their significant role in Italy's import structure.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of Italy's starches imports declined in 2020. Imports totaled 85 711 K $ US, an 8.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 16.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The peak was in 2019 at 93 698 K $ US, while the largest increase of 16.6% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Germany, and France stood out as the main sources of Italy's starches imports in value terms, contributing 21.3%, 17.0%, and 13.8%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 52.0% of total import flows, underscoring their importance in the import market.

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

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