Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian market for tapioca and starch substitutes experienced significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Following a rise to 704 thousand tons in 2019, the market stabilized near 687 thousand tons in 2020 and 2021. A dramatic expansion occurred in 2022, with volume soaring to 1 026 thousand tons, before contracting to 721 thousand tons in 2023.

In 2024, the market environment was transformed by major industrial expansion and evolving demand. Over 25 new tapioca processing facilities were established in Thailand and Vietnam, significantly increasing regional production capacity. This capacity build-out was accompanied by rising consumer demand for gluten-free and clean-label foods, which boosted tapioca starch utilization. Simultaneously, leading companies like Roquette and Ingredion launched new lines of modified tapioca starch, such as Roquette's CLEARAM TR, to support plant-based and allergen-free product trends. The emergence of tapioca starch-based biodegradable packaging also began creating new industrial applications for the material.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in Asia

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, Asia produced 685.4 K t of tapioca and starch substitutes, showing virtually no change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 12.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 676.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 13.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase in production at 1.7%.

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

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Tapioca and starch substitutes exports from Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 41 193 t, marking a 5.2% improvement year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 140.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 33.9%.

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

An analysis of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across numerous markets. The United States accounted for 5.0% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 3.9%, and Belgium for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 12.7% of total flows, with the remaining 87.3% going to a wide range of other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Tapioca and starch substitutes deliveries from Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Asia exported 64.1 M $ US worth of these products, up by 4.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 66.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.5%.

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

The country composition of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. The United States contributed 7.6% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom 4.6%, and Belgium 2.6%. Combined, these three countries formed just 14.8% of total flows, while the remaining 85.2% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market for imports in kind showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of tapioca and starch substitutes into Asia totaled 42 640 t, reflecting a robust drop of 23.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 55 891 t, which also saw the largest increase of 93.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, was the single largest supplier of tapioca and starch substitutes to Asia, accounting for 24.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The market for imports in value terms exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached a trough in 2017 and a peak in 2019, showing a 2.9-fold amplitude. In 2020, Asia imported tapioca and starch substitutes worth a total of value_last_year M $ US, equivalent to a steep decline of 26.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 135.2 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 132.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, was the primary supplier of tapioca and starch substitutes to Asia, consistently taking 46.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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