Starches market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, starch production in South-eastern Asia reached 6.6 million tons, partly driven by industrial transformation in Thailand, the world's leading producer of cassava starch. However, the market volume declined to 4.8 million tons as exports surged to 3.2 million tons.

By 2022, global demand growth for corn and hydrolyzed starches in the food industry, particularly in bakery and confectionery, boosted regional exports to 6.0 million tons. This, combined with fluctuating production, further reduced the domestic market volume to 2.9 million tons.

Production fell to 6.2 million tons in 2023, with market volume dropping to 1.8 million tons as exports remained high at 5.3 million tons. In 2024, imports rose to 1.2 million tons, indicating shifts in supply dynamics.

Production starches in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, starch production in South-eastern Asia declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 7 119 K t, followed by a slight fluctuation to 7 082 K t in 2020. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 16.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, at 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports starches from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, starch exports from South-eastern Asia totaled 4 871 K t, marking a slight contraction of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 43.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 161 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 4 947 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 7.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019, at 56.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, accounting for 56.7% of exports in kind, along with Asia not elsewhere specified at 5.3% and Japan at 2.6%, remained the key export partners. Together, these three markets represented 64.6% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Starch exports from South-eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 2 140 M $ US, down by 2.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 15.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 265 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 22.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, China, with 60.2% of exports in value terms, Asia not elsewhere specified at 4.7%, and Japan at 2.3%, formed the main cluster of export markets. Together, they accounted for 67.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports starches to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Starch imports into South-eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 1 244 K t, which is 3.7% less than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 43%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 12.7%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 367 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 5.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 57.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, no single market dominated starch imports. China, with 27.0% of imports in kind, India at 6.2%, and Australia at 5.6%, together accounted for only 38.8% of total imports. Many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Starch imports into South-eastern Asia fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 667 M $ US, reflecting a controlled decline of 9.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 26.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 8.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 836 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 12.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 58.9%.

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

The partner structure for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. China, with 23.4% of imports in value terms, Australia at 5.3%, and India at 5.1%, together accounted for only 33.7% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020