Starches market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Polish starch market experienced steady expansion, with market volume rising from 886 thousand tons to 1 100 thousand tons. This growth was supported by increasing domestic production, which reached 1 102 thousand tons in 2020, and stable import volumes. After peaking in 2020, the market size contracted to 1 010 thousand tons in 2021, partially recovered to 1 043 thousand tons in 2022, and edged down to 1 025 thousand tons in 2023.

The market movements reflected shifts in production, which gradually declined after 2020, and trade dynamics. Imports surged from 158 thousand tons in 2021 to 192 thousand tons in 2022 before falling to 164 thousand tons in 2023. Exports were volatile, peaking at 210 thousand tons in 2021, which affected the net volume available domestically.

Production starches in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Poland ranked as the 14th largest producer of starches during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Starch production in Poland has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Poland produced 1 102 thousand tons of starches, marking a modest rise of 4.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 18.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

Exports starches from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Starch export volumes from Poland declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Poland exported 139.2 thousand tons of starches, representing a moderate decrease of 7.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 20.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 180.4 thousand tons, with the largest increase of 3.1% also occurring that year. In 2019, exports saw the steepest drop of 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, South Korea, and the United States were the top buyers of Polish starches, though none dominated the market. Germany accounted for 27.9% of exports in volume, South Korea for 12.0%, and the United States for 8.5%. Together, these three countries made up 48.4% of total starch exports from Poland, with the remainder distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of Poland's starch exports decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 82.9 million US dollars, a significant drop of 24.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 16%, with an average annual decrease of 5.6%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 123.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 25.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the composition of Poland's starch exports by value was quite dispersed. Germany accounted for 19.5% of export value, South Korea for 13.1%, and the United States for 9.7%. Combined, these three countries represented just 42.3% of total export flows, while the remaining 57.7% was spread across a wide array of other destinations.

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

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

Imports starches to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign starch supplies to Poland increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 137.0 thousand tons, reflecting a controlled growth of 3.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 131.4 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Germany, and Slovakia were the primary sources of starch imports to Poland. Lithuania supplied 37.0% of imports by volume, Germany 13.8%, and Slovakia 8.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 58.9% of total starch imports into Poland.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Starch imports into Poland declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Poland imported starches worth 62.7 million US dollars, indicating a slight contraction of 0.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 68.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.2%. In 2019, imports experienced the most significant decline of 8.1%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Poland's starch imports by value were not concentrated among a few key suppliers. Lithuania accounted for 19.0% of import value, Germany for 17.9%, and Belgium for 9.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 46.3% of total import flows, with the rest distributed among various other sources.

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

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