Starches market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the starch market in Western Europe expanded, with volume rising from 5.23 million tonnes to 5.47 million tonnes. This growth was supported by the launch of new functional native starches, such as Ingredion's NOVATION® Lumina in June 2019, designed for delicate food applications. Furthermore, increased demand for industrial starches in paper and cardboard packaging, driven by the surge in e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to higher consumption.

The market then contracted over the next two years, falling to 4.77 million tonnes in 2022. This decline was primarily driven by rising raw material and energy costs across Europe, which strained production and tightened market conditions. Global supply chain disruptions and volatile commodity prices, exacerbated by the pandemic's aftermath, further pressured starch availability and costs.

In 2023, the market recovered to 5.32 million tonnes, indicating a rebound from the previous lows. The recovery aligns with producers of waxy maize starch being authorized to operate at full capacity late in 2022, which helped alleviate some supply gaps, and sustained demand from sectors like pharmaceuticals and personal care seeking starch-based alternatives.

Production starches in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Starch production in Western Europe has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 5 558 K t, marking a controlled year-over-year rise of 3.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 341 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, starch production in Western Europe declined in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 4 422 M $ US, reflecting a significant decrease of 16.3% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 16.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 5 283 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 29.1%.

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

Exports starches from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year reduction, Western Europe's starch exports increased in volume. In 2020, exports amounted to 775.0 K t, representing a substantial 32.1% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 586.9 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 24.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, starch exports from Western Europe were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 8.3% of export volume, the United States for 5.9%, and South Korea for 5.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 19.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, foreign starch supplies from Western Europe stood at 616.6 M $ US, showing a 7.0% increase over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports in value terms grew by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, starch exports from Western Europe in value terms were spread across numerous countries. The United States accounted for 9.5% of export value, the United Kingdom for 9.4%, and South Korea for 5.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 24.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports starches to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Western Europe's starch import volume increased. In 2020, imports were recorded at 689.7 K t, showing a year-over-year rise of 17.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 586.6 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 11.7%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, starch imports to Western Europe in volume terms relied on a diverse range of partner countries. Spain accounted for 5.8% of import volume, Denmark for 4.6%, and Poland for 4.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 14.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, starch import volumes in Western Europe tallied 642.1 M $ US, showing a limited uptick of 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in value terms increased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for starch imports to Western Europe in value terms was broad. Denmark accounted for 6.0% of import value, Spain for 4.9%, and Poland for 3.9%. Together, these three countries formed only 14.8% of total import flows, with the substantial remaining 85.2% supplied by many other countries.

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

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