Starches market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian starch market expanded significantly from 902 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 848 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was supported by the expansion of production capacities, including the starch plant 'Gulkevichsky' reaching full capacity, which increased domestic output. In 2019, a sharp reduction in potato starch imports by 38% indicated stronger home production. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, demand for modified starch surged, with sales rising 57.5% between 2016 and 2020, contributing to the overall market volume increase.

After a contraction to 1 452 thousand tons in 2021, the market recovered to 1 712 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 1 851 thousand tons in 2023. Sanctions and import restrictions on modified starches from the EU created shortages but prompted a rise in domestic corn starch production, compensating for reduced imports. Government procurement growth and the emergence of new product segments also supported the market. In 2023, import substitution continued, with major players like Aston Krahmalo-Products and Amilko boosting native starch output by 200% and over 30% respectively.

Production starches in Russia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia ranked as the 11th largest producer of starches globally.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Starch production in Russia grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 850 thousand tonnes of starches, marking a 55.1% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 118.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 29.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Starch production in Russia expanded for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 732.0 million US dollars, up 45.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 123%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 319.9 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 2.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 57.7%.

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

Exports starches from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Starch exports from Russia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Russia exported 28 999 tonnes of starches, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 25.5%, with an average annual rate of 7.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 35 152 tonnes. The largest decline was in 2019, at 16.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 52.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Russian starches by volume were Uzbekistan (22.9% of exports), Belarus (22.8% of exports), and Ukraine (18.4% of exports), together accounting for 64.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Russia's starch exports declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 11 477 thousand US dollars, down 7.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 27.9%, with a CAGR of 8.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 457 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was in 2018, at 38.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary markets for Russian starch exports by value were Belarus (23.8% of exports), Uzbekistan (22.2% of exports), and Kazakhstan (18.1% of exports), together making up 64.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports starches to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Russia's starch imports increased. In 2020, Russia imported 25 169 tonnes of starches, indicating a measured rise of 9.5% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 26.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 25 169 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 19.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia imported starches from numerous countries, with even the top sources—Germany, Denmark, and Lithuania—collectively representing only 43.2% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Russia's starch imports were valued at 23 429 thousand US dollars, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. The lowest value was in 2019 at 23 400 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 24 009 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 2.5%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 0.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the distribution of starch imports by value was scattered: Germany (25.8% of imports), France (12.1% of imports), and Denmark (11.2% of imports) together accounted for just 49.2% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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