Starches market Turkey

Earlier Report Observations

The Turkish starch market expanded from 186.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 235.0 thousand tons in 2020, driven by growing consumer preference for natural and modified starch products alongside enhanced food safety and labeling standards. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated demand as increased home cooking raised the need for starch-based ingredients, despite some supply chain disruptions.

From 2021 onward, market growth was fueled by the emergence of starch-based biopolymers. The launch of local startup Plastic Move, which secured $4.5 million in investment to produce starch-based biopolymers as a substitute for single-use plastics, created new industrial demand for starch. This trend strengthened in 2022 with Plastic Move's capacity expansion and supportive environmental regulations like the Green Deal, leading to new product segments such as biopolymer packaging and automotive components.

After several years of expansion, the starch market volume contracted to 192.6 thousand tons in 2023, bringing it back near 2019 levels.

Production starches Turkey

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey ranked as the 27th largest producer of starches globally.

Top producers of starches, 2017-2020

World map of production of starches, 2017-2020

Turkey's starch production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 413.8 K t of starches, marking a moderate increase of 6.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 35.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Starch production in Turkey expanded for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 146.8 M $ US, reflecting a 9.0% gain from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 55.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.8%.

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

Exports starches to Turkey

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Turkey's starch exports totaled 203.7 K t, showing a limited decline of 4.6% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 22.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 165.8 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 213.5 K t, with the largest increase of 28.7% also in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey's starch exports in kind were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Nigeria accounted for 18.6% of exports, Iraq for 11.2%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, for 9.8%, together making up 39.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Turkey's starch export volumes declined. In 2020, exports reached 72 254 K $ US, a slight decrease of 2.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 39.6%, with an annualized rate of 11.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 73 814 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 34.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Turkey traded starches with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Nigeria, Iraq, and Asia, not elsewhere specified—collectively represented only 38.8% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports to Turkey in value, 2017-2020

Imports starches in Turkey

Imports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Turkey's starch imports rose. In 2020, the country imported approximately 24.9 K t of starches, a robust increase of 17.0% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 21.3 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports in Turkey in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the leading source for Turkey's starch imports in kind, with a 37.9% share, followed by France at 11.3% and Iran at 11.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for 60.5% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign starch supplies to Turkey decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 14 590 K $ US, a slight drop of 3.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 4.1%, with an annualized rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 155 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 8.2%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the main sources for Turkey's starch imports in value terms, with shares of 37.0%, 16.6%, and 11.7%, respectively. Combined, they represented 65.3% of total import flows.

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

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