Starches market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The starch market in Southern Europe opened the period at 1 883 thousand tons in 2018 before declining to 1 655 thousand tons in 2019. The market stabilized around 1 644 thousand tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and production, muting overall volume changes despite shifts in demand for processed foods.

Market volume recovered to 1 771 thousand tons in 2021 and grew further to 1 875 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was driven by the launch and capacity expansion of leading producers like Cargill and Ingredion, coupled with rising demand for pregelatinized and modified starches from the food industry seeking clean-label and functional ingredients.

In 2023, the market contracted to 1 617 thousand tons, primarily due to volatility in raw material prices for corn and tapioca, alongside climate-related challenges affecting crop yields. For 2024, regulatory focus on sustainable production and ongoing technological innovations continue to shape the market environment.

Production starches in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

In Southern Europe, starch production remained relatively stable in 2020, reaching 1 629 thousand tonnes, which was similar to the 2019 level. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 8.7%, averaging a 3.0% annual decrease. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 620 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 1 891 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 14.3%, whereas the largest increase took place in 2018 with a 6.0% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Starch production in Southern Europe experienced a decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 849.0 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 968.4 million US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.8% drop, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 with an 11.0% rise.

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

Exports starches from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, starch exports from Southern Europe declined in 2020. The region exported 254.8 thousand tonnes of starches that year, representing a 7.6% decrease compared to 2019. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 275.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 6.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany were notable buyers of starches from Southern Europe, accounting for 28.5%, 3.9%, and 2.8% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 35.2% of total exports, indicating that no single country dominated the market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, the value of starch exports from Southern Europe declined in 2020. Exports totaled 132.8 million US dollars that year, down 8.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6.8%, averaging a 2.2% annual growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 145.3 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, starch exports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. France accounted for 27.8% of exports, Germany for 3.8%, and the United Kingdom for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 35.3% of total export flows, highlighting the diversified nature of the market.

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

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

Imports starches to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Southern Europe imported 269.9 thousand tonnes of starches, which was a 13.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 6.5%, with an average annual decrease of 2.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 262.1 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 310.1 thousand tonnes. The largest increase took place in 2019, when imports rose by 18.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, France, and Germany were the largest suppliers of starches to Southern Europe, accounting for 16.2%, 10.1%, and 8.3% of imports in kind, respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to 34.6% of total imports, reflecting a highly diversified supplier structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of improvement, the value of starch imports into Southern Europe declined in 2020. Imports stood at 201.3 million US dollars that year, representing a moderate drop of 3.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 208.6 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Germany, and France were the leading suppliers of starches to Southern Europe in value terms, accounting for 13.0%, 12.8%, and 11.7% of imports, respectively. Despite this, their combined share was only 37.5% of total imports, underscoring the diversified nature of the import market.

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

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