Starches market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

The Philippine starch market volume remained stable at around 534 thousand tons in 2018 and 2019. A sustained contraction followed from 2020 to 2022, with the market shrinking by over 115 thousand tons to 419.9 thousand tons. This downward trend paused in 2023 as the market stabilized at 415.5 thousand tons.

Regulatory oversight from state-owned entities like the National Food Authority and the Department of Agriculture shaped the market environment throughout the period. The Food and Drug Administration's mandatory certification and updated labeling rules for prepackaged starch products, effective from 2024, alongside the Extended Producer Responsibility Act of 2022, introduced new compliance requirements affecting packaging and market access.

By 2023, industry focus shifted toward development, with research highlighting variational starch yield and properties from Philippine root crops like cassava and sweet potato. Concurrent policy analysis identified the need for establishing key production areas and promoting high-yield varieties to address mill inefficiencies and support the starch industry's foundation.

Production starches in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines ranked 28th globally in starch production.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, starch production in the Philippines rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 309.2 K t of starches, marking a modest year-on-year increase of 7.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 287.4 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%.

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

Exports starches from the Philippines

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, starch exports from the Philippines totaled 0.7 K t, a decrease of 43.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 54.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -23.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 41.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key destinations for Philippine starch exports in volume terms were Myanmar (51.3% of exports), Vietnam (26.5%), and Thailand (14.5%). Together, these three countries accounted for 92.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Philippine starch exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.4 M $ US, reflecting a sharp decrease of 81.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 86.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -49.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Vietnam and Myanmar remained the primary buyers of Philippine starches in value terms, with a combined share of 85.1% of total exports, while other countries made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports starches to the Philippines

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, starch imports into the Philippines declined. In 2020, the country imported 164.8 K t of starches, which is 33.8% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.4%, with a CAGR of -1.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 248.8 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 32.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of starch imports to the Philippines in volume terms were Thailand (39.0% of imports), China (21.9%), and Indonesia (12.9%). Together, these three countries represented 73.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year uptick, the value of starch imports into the Philippines declined. In 2020, imports totaled 111.7 M $ US, down by 15.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 39.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 111.7 M $ US, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 55.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key partners for Philippine starch imports in value terms were Thailand (39.6% of imports), China (18.1%), and Vietnam (11.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 69.0% of total import flows.

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

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