Starches market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss starches market volume reached its highest point at 29 799 t in 2019, then consistently declined to 21 746 t by 2023. This represented a 27% contraction from the peak, largely attributable to a sustained drop in import volumes, which form the bulk of the country's supply.

A key development in 2020 was the 6% rise in industrial starch consumption for manufacturing corrugated cardboard, driven by accelerated e-commerce growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. This demand supported the paper and packaging segment, even as the total market volume shrank due to broader reductions across other applications.

In more recent years, major ingredient companies have launched innovative starch products targeting shifting consumer preferences. These include non-GMO native starches for dairy, clean-label modified starches derived from organic sources, and starches formulated for plant-based meat alternatives, reflecting global trends toward natural ingredients and sustainable packaging.

Production starches in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Switzerland's starch production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3 196 tonnes of starches, marking a solid 13.9% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 622 tonnes, with the largest decline of 1.9% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Switzerland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports starches from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Switzerland's starch export volumes declined. In 2020, exports totaled 169 tonnes, representing a significant year-on-year drop of 53.7%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 47.2%, averaging an annualized decrease of 19.2%. The peak export volume was reached in 2019 at 365 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and South Africa emerged as the primary destinations for Switzerland's starch exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 31.8% of exports, France for 17.8%, and South Africa for 14.6%. Together, these three markets represented 64.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Switzerland's starch export value has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 365 thousand US dollars, showing a 20.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 41.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 16.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany, France, and the Netherlands formed the key group of partners for Switzerland's starch exports in value terms. Germany contributed 26.7% of export value, France 21.4%, and the Netherlands 12.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 60.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports starches to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Switzerland's starch imports reached 23 533 tonnes, showing a robust decrease of 14.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 20.6%, averaging an annualized drop of 7.4%. The largest decline of 16.0% occurred in 2018, while the largest increase of 10.0% was recorded in 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, France, and Italy remained the main suppliers of starches to Switzerland in volume terms. Germany accounted for 47.2% of imports, France for 11.9%, and Italy for 11.8%. Together, these three countries formed 70.9% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Switzerland's starch import value declined. In 2020, imports totaled 17 770 thousand US dollars, which is 8.7% lower year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 2.5%, translating to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 19 465 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.5% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Italy were the main sources for Switzerland's starch imports in value terms. Germany represented 39.8% of import value, France 20.1%, and Italy 8.0%. Together, these three markets accounted for 67.9% of total import flows.

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

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