Starches market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The starch market in New Zealand displayed considerable volatility in volume between 2018 and 2023. Market size fell from 11 400 t in 2018 to a low of 7 867 t in 2020, a decline strongly linked to the implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater 2020. This policy required maize and starch-crop growers to develop Farm Environment Plans, directly affecting agricultural practices and contributing to a drop in domestic production that year. A sharp recovery followed in 2021, lifting the market to 11 675 t, but volumes then eased to 10 104 t by 2023.

Import levels for starch remained broadly stable throughout the period, while exports trended downwards after 2021. Concurrently, by 2023, a noted rise in imports of starch-rich ultra-processed foods signaled shifting consumption patterns, even as the total starch market contracted. Moving into 2025, the enforcement of the Grocery Industry Competition Act 2023 began reshaping retail distribution. This regulatory change, alongside a documented consumer preference shift towards healthier fresh produce, coincided with a reduction in starch imports to 10 894 t that year.

Production starches in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of starches, 2018-2021

World map of production of starches, 2018-2021

In 2021, New Zealand produced 7 425 tonnes of starches, marking a 6.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production decreased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 11 046 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 7 000 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, dropping by 36.6%, whereas the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 36.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the value of starch production in New Zealand reached 6 260 thousand US dollars, representing a 27.6% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 9.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 7 525 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 4 906 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020, falling by 34.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 31.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports starches from New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

Starch exports from New Zealand declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 9 321 tonnes, reflecting a significant decrease of 16.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 2.7%, with an annualized rate of -0.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 351 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia remained the primary market for New Zealand's starch exports in volume terms, accounting for 80.9% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed across various other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

New Zealand's starch export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 7 859 thousand US dollars, showing a slight advance of 0.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 15.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Australia was the main destination for New Zealand's starch exports in value terms, capturing 80.0% of total flows. The remaining share was spread across various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports starches to New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

New Zealand's starch import volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 13 571 tonnes, representing a 13.3% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 5.4%, with an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 136 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 13.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for New Zealand's starch imports in volume terms were Australia (36.8% of imports), Thailand (24.7% of imports), and Germany (8.6% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 70.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Starch imports into New Zealand increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 11 518 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a steep gain of 29.7% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value rose by 22.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 8 398 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2018-2021, the leading sources for New Zealand's starch imports in value terms were Thailand (25.9% of imports), Australia (25.7% of imports), and Germany (11.8% of imports). Collectively, these three countries represented 63.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021