Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The tapioca and starch substitutes market in the Americas remained stable from 2018 to 2020, with market volume hovering around 102–104 thousand tons. This stability was supported by growing consumer demand for gluten-free and plant-based foods, alongside a preference for clean-label natural ingredients. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further increased interest in healthy and functional foods, helping to maintain consumption levels.

From 2021 onward, market volume expanded, reaching 108 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was driven by the launch of new modified tapioca starch lines for frozen and refrigerated foods, strategic alliances between North American companies and Asian producers to secure supply, and regulatory shifts favoring organic and certified products. Increased investment in innovation to enhance starch texture and functionality also contributed to the market's expansion.

The period 2022–2023 saw continued emphasis on sustainability, with the integration of solar drying technologies in processing and growth in biodegradable tapioca starch-based products. The introduction of USDA and EU Organic certified tapioca products catered to North American demand for natural and allergen-free options. By 2024, falling import prices and advanced extraction technologies further facilitated market access.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

In 2019, tapioca and starch substitutes production in the Americas reached its lowest point at 98.8 thousand tons. The following year, in 2020, output remained relatively stable at 99.2 thousand tons, showing no significant change. Production peaked earlier in 2018 at 101.3 thousand tons. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.5% drop, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2018 at 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Tapioca and starch substitutes production in the Americas declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 511.4 million US dollars, marking an 18.2% decrease from the previous year. Production had reached its highest value in 2018 at 780.8 million US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 27.9%, averaging an annual decline of 10.3%. The largest yearly drop occurred in 2019 at 20.0%, while the biggest increase was seen in 2018 with a 10.0% rise.

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

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from Americas

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, tapioca and starch substitutes exports from the Americas declined in 2020, with shipments totaling 2 868 tons, representing an 18.0% decrease from the previous year. Exports had peaked in 2019 at 3 498 tons. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 50.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 14.6%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 52.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, tapioca and starch substitutes from the Americas were exported to a wide range of markets. Portugal accounted for 9.2% of exports in volume, Spain for 8.5%, and the United Kingdom for 6.3%. Together, these three destinations represented only 24.0% of total exports, with the remaining 76.0% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, tapioca and starch substitutes exports from the Americas amounted to 7 141 thousand US dollars, showing a 20.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 35.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of tapioca and starch substitutes from the Americas in value terms were distributed across many markets. Spain represented 10.2% of export value, Portugal 9.1%, and the United Kingdom 4.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for just 24.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to Americas

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, imports of tapioca and starch substitutes into the Americas declined in 2020, totaling 5 585 tons, which represents a 23.0% decrease from the previous year. Imports had reached their highest level in 2019 at 7 251 tons. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 32.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.8%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 55.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main sources for tapioca and starch substitutes imports into the Americas in volume terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified (36.5% of imports), Thailand (33.1%), and China (3.2%). Together, these three regions accounted for 72.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, imports of tapioca and starch substitutes into the Americas declined in 2020, with a total value of approximately 9 331 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.8% decrease from the previous year. Imports had peaked in 2019 at 10 125 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 66.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 18.5%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 44.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for tapioca and starch substitutes imports into the Americas in value terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified (43.1% of import value), Thailand (17.9%), and China (5.5%). Together, these three regions represented 66.6% of total import flows.

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

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