Market research

Starches market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The starch market volume in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced substantial growth from 2018 to 2023, starting at 1 082 thousand tons and reaching 1 924 thousand tons by the end of the period. The most pronounced increase occurred in 2021, when market size jumped by 44% to 1 801 thousand tons compared to the previous year.

This expansion was supported by a consistent rise in domestic production, which more than doubled from 973 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 685 thousand tons in 2023. At the same time, imports of starches also increased, from 143 thousand tons to 284 thousand tons, while exports remained relatively low, never exceeding 46 thousand tons annually.

Following the sharp rise in 2021, market growth moderated but continued, adding another 123 thousand tons by 2023. The overall increase of 842 thousand tons over the six-year period highlights the region's growing consumption and production capacity for starches.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production starches in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Sub-Saharan Africa's starch production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 059 thousand tonnes of starches, marking a modest year-over-year increase of 3.5%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 25.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.0%	5.1%	3.5%	7.8%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of starch output in Sub-Saharan Africa reached 537.2 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate 5.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, at 1.4%, while the largest rise was in 2018, with a 17.4% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17.4%	(1.4%)	5.7%	7.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports starches from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, starch exports from Sub-Saharan Africa amounted to 32.6 thousand tonnes, showing a 14.2% rise from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 28.6 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 34.5 thousand tonnes. The sharpest decline happened in 2019, with a 17.2% drop.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.5%	(17.2%)	14.2%	0.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for starches in kind were quite varied. Asia, not elsewhere specified, accounted for 13.4% of exports, Australia for 11.7%, and the Philippines for 5.1%. Together, these three partners made up just 30.2% of total flows, indicating that no single country dominated the export market.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of starch exports from Sub-Saharan Africa reached 16.6 million US dollars, representing a substantial 16.7% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was in 2019 at 14.2 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 18.3 million US dollars. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, with a 22.3% decline.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.7%	(22.3%)	16.7%	(0.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, key buyers of starches from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms included Asia, not elsewhere specified (14.4% of exports), Australia (13.5%), and the Philippines (5.5%). However, even combined, these three accounted for only 33.3% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports starches to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Starch imports into Sub-Saharan Africa have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 220.8 thousand tonnes, up by 13.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 29.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 143.2 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 16.3% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 36.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.3%)	36.3%	13.1%	8.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, India, and China consistently led as the top sources for starch imports in kind. Turkey accounted for 29.5% of imports, India for 12.7%, and China for 9.7%. Together, these three countries made up 51.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's starch imports have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 123.6 million US dollars, up by 41.0% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 49.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 70.6 million US dollars, and the largest decline that year was 14.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(14.8%)	24.2%	41.0%	14.3%

Source: SHEV.io

In 2017-2020, Turkey, China, and India remained the primary suppliers of starches to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Turkey contributed 28.5% of imports, China 13.0%, and India 10.8%. Collectively, these three accounted for 52.4% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io