Tapioca and starch substitutes market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN market for tapioca and starch substitutes expanded from 612.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 627.4 thousand tons in 2019, then stabilized around 613.8 thousand tons through 2020 and 2021. During these years, rising consumer demand for tapioca pearls in bubble tea and for clean-label, gluten-free ingredients supported market activity.

In 2022, market volume skyrocketed to 961.3 thousand tons, driven by strong global demand for tapioca in beverages and confectionery, alongside the introduction of modified starches with enhanced textures. The following year, volume dropped to 652.9 thousand tons, primarily due to fluctuations in cassava supply that impacted tapioca starch production in the region.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in ASEAN

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 2020, ASEAN produced 644.3 thousand tonnes of tapioca and starch substitutes, marking a 1.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 639.6 thousand tonnes. That same year saw the largest decline of 14.5%, while 2019 experienced the biggest increase of 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of tapioca and starch substitutes in ASEAN reached 628.6 million US dollars, showing a slight reduction of 2.0% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 2.2%, with a CAGR of -0.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 603.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.2%. In contrast, 2019 registered the highest increase of 6.3%.

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

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from ASEAN

Exports in kind, t

Tapioca and starch substitutes exports from ASEAN increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 43 730 tonnes, representing a 2.6% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 40.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (20.3% of exports in kind), Bangladesh (12.5%), and Pakistan (6.6%) were the largest buyers of tapioca and starch substitutes from ASEAN, though they were not dominant. Together, these three countries accounted for 39.4% of total exports in kind, with the remaining share distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Tapioca and starch substitutes exports from ASEAN increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 42 664 thousand US dollars, indicating a 1.6% advance year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 59.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 16.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, China (20.2% of exports in value terms), Japan (12.7%), and Bangladesh (8.7%) were significant buyers of tapioca and starch substitutes from ASEAN. However, their combined share reached only 41.6% of total export value, with the remaining 58.4% spread across many other trading partners.

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

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

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to ASEAN

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Import volumes reached their minimum in 2017 and peaked in 2019, showing a 2.5-fold increase between these years. In 2020, imports of tapioca and starch substitutes into ASEAN stood at 13 240 tonnes, reflecting a sharp drop of 30.5% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 19 051 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 91.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, and China were notable suppliers of tapioca and starch substitutes to ASEAN, jointly accounting for 26.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Import values hit their trough in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.7-fold gap between these periods. In 2020, foreign supplies of tapioca and starch substitutes to ASEAN reached 24 327 thousand US dollars, amounting to a strong fall of 22.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 31 287 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 84.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was largely influenced by Asia, not elsewhere specified, and China, which together accounted for 49.0% of total import flows.

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

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