Starches market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the U.S. starch market expanded in both volume and value. Market volume grew from 18.1 million tons to 19.4 million tons, while market value increased from $12.0 billion to $13.5 billion.

In 2022, market volume contracted to 17.3 million tons, but market value rose to $14.6 billion. Supply chain challenges, including logistics cost increases of 12–15% due to global container shortages, constrained physical availability. Simultaneously, growing demand for convenience foods and processed products sustained higher prices, particularly for modified starches used as thickening and stabilizing agents. Consumer trends toward clean-label and non-GMO starch products also influenced market offerings.

By 2023, volume stabilized at 17.3 million tons, while value jumped sharply to $17.0 billion. This divergence reflected continued strong demand from food processing and newer segments like animal feed, alongside technological advancements in starch extraction and modification. Consumer preferences for gluten-free and allergen-free starch products further supported value growth.

Production starches in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States maintained its position as the world's leading producer of starches.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Starch production in the United States grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 18 896 K t of starches, marking a modest increase of 1.7% compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 17 889 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 4.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 3.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of starch production in the United States was 12 177 M $ US, down by 2.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 9.3%, averaging an annual decline of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 816 M $ US, which experienced the largest drop of 12.0%. The biggest increase happened in 2019, with a gain of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports starches from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

U.S. starch exports continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the United States exported 191.4 K t of starches, an increase of 18.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 46.6%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico and Canada were the dominant destinations for U.S. starch exports in volume, together accounting for 80.9% of total flows, while other countries contributed smaller shares individually.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of starch exports from the United States increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 123.4 M $ US, a strong advance of 13.6% over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 31.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 90.3 M $ US, which saw a decline of 3.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 20.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom were the top contributors to U.S. starch export value. Canada accounted for 36.2%, Mexico for 34.9%, and the United Kingdom for 4.8% of total exports in value terms, together making up 75.9% of all flows.

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

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

Imports starches to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, U.S. starch imports in volume declined. In 2020, the United States imported 363.0 K t of starches, a decrease of 1.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 370.1 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 5.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand, Canada, and Germany were the primary sources for U.S. starch imports in volume. Thailand contributed 31.7%, Canada 23.9%, and Germany 10.9% of total imports in kind, together representing 66.5% of all flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of U.S. starch imports fell. In 2020, imports amounted to 280.3 M $ US, a controlled drop of 5.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 297.3 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 18.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Thailand, Germany, and Canada remained the key markets for U.S. starch imports in value terms. Thailand accounted for 29.6%, Germany for 15.0%, and Canada for 12.2% of total import value, jointly taking 56.7% of all flows.

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

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