Market research

Starches market in Nepal

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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Earlier Report Observations

The starch market in Nepal showed steady growth from 2018 to 2022, with its volume increasing from 137.4 thousand tons to 158.2 thousand tons. This expansion was driven by rising domestic production, which grew from 133.7 to 147.2 thousand tons, and a significant surge in imports, which more than doubled from 3.7 to 11.0 thousand tons over the period.

This growth phase aligned with regulatory measures to strengthen food quality control and market oversight. In 2019, local authorities issued market monitoring guidelines targeting food and beverage quality, which helped bolster consumer confidence. The emphasis on consumer protection and quality control continued through 2021, accompanied by increased new investor entry and investment activity that likely supported production capacity. The regulatory environment was further reinforced in 2022 when the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supply issued updated market monitoring guidelines to enhance supply systems and consumer safeguards.

By 2023, the market volume stabilized at 158.2 thousand tons, reflecting a plateau after several years of growth. Domestic production reached 148.5 thousand tons while imports moderated to 9.8 thousand tons, indicating a mature market phase.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Nepal
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Nepal in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Nepal in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nepal in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nepal in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nepal, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nepal in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nepal in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nepal, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nepal in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nepal in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nepal, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nepal in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nepal in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nepal, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nepal by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production starches in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Nepal produced 139,304 tonnes of starches, marking a 4.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.6%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 8.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.1%	(0.6%)	4.8%	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports starches from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Nepal exported 0.1 tonnes of starches, showing no significant change from the previous year. Over the 2017-2019 period, exports decreased by 99.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -81.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, China accounted for nearly all of Nepal's starches exports in kind, holding a 97.7% share of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2019, Nepal's starches exports totaled 0.2 thousand US dollars, indicating no material difference from the prior year. Over the 2017-2019 period, exports decreased by 95.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -64.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China clearly dominated as the primary buyer of starches from Nepal, accounting for 90.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports starches to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Nepal's starches imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 7,327 tonnes, reflecting a 9.7% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 142%, equating to an annualized rate of 34.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	20.7%	82.8%	9.7%	34.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, imports in kind were heavily concentrated on India, which represented 98.9% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import levels varied 2.5-fold, with the low recorded in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, Nepal's starches imports amounted to 2,793 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial contraction of 10.1% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 3,106 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year reaching 124.0%.

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