Starches market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The Zambian starch market displayed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. Market volume opened the period at 33 929 metric tons in 2018, then contracted by approximately 9% to 30 728 metric tons in 2019. A partial recovery followed in 2020, bringing volume back to 33 254 metric tons.

This upward trend was abruptly reversed in 2021, when the market plunged by over 20% to a period low of 26 409 metric tons. The following year saw near-stabilization at 26 519 metric tons, representing minimal growth. A strong rebound occurred in 2023, with market volume expanding by 17% to reach 31 027 metric tons.

Domestic production mirrored this erratic trajectory, while import volumes rose notably in 2023, supporting the market's recovery that year.

Production starches in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Zambia's starch production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 30,971 tonnes of starches, representing a 7.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 14.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 28,944 tonnes, while the most significant annual decline occurred in 2018 at 11.3%.

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

Exports starches from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. The highest export level was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2020, representing a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia exported 176 tonnes of starches, marking a substantial year-over-year decrease of 19.9%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2018 at 76.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and the United States formed the core export markets for Zambia's starches, together accounting for 91.9% of total export volumes. Kenya represented 61.1% of exports, followed by Zimbabwe at 15.7%, and the United States at 15.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Zambia's starch exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 78,000 US dollars, which represents a 13.6% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export values decreased by 76.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 38.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Kenya, the United States, and Zimbabwe were the primary markets for Zambia's starch exports in value terms, together accounting for 92.2% of total export revenue. Kenya represented 54.2% of export value, followed by the United States at 24.0%, and Zimbabwe at 14.0%.

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

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

Imports starches to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes displayed irregular patterns, indicating market volatility. The highest import level was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a 7.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia imported 2,459 tonnes of starches, showing a strong year-over-year increase of 22.8%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,003 tonnes, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 86.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia's starch imports were primarily sourced from Australia and South Africa, whose combined share reached 96.0% of total import volumes, with other countries playing a secondary role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values showed irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. The peak import value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Zambia imported 1,273,000 US dollars worth of starches, representing an 11.7% increase from the previous year. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019 at 1,140,000 US dollars, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 81.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Australia and South Africa jointly accounted for 95.5% of Zambia's total starch import value, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

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