Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tapioca and starch substitutes in Eastern Africa expanded significantly in 2019, with volume reaching 79 923 t, a 15.5% increase from the previous year. This growth was followed by a contraction in 2020, when market size fell to 70 882 t. During this period, growing industrial demand for cassava starch from the tapioca pearl sector emerged as a key driver, supporting long-term interest despite short-term volatility.

After a further decline to 67 259 t in 2021, the market recovered to 71 898 t in 2022 before settling at 69 083 t in 2023. The underlying industrial pull for tapioca pearls continued to shape production dynamics, while global supply chain factors and shifting consumer preferences introduced additional variability into the market's trajectory.

In 2024, broader African production trends indicated renewed growth, reinforced by investments in tapioca processing infrastructure and rising consumer demand for gluten-free products and tapioca-based beverages like bubble tea. Global factors such as weather anomalies and crop diseases in major producing regions also influenced supply conditions and market stability across Eastern Africa.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

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

In Eastern Africa, tapioca and starch substitutes production reached 70,891 tonnes in 2020, marking a significant 10.6% decline from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.2%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 68,371 tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 79,301 tonnes. The most substantial year-on-year growth was observed in 2019, when production surged by 16.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility throughout the analyzed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at just 1.3 tonnes, then climbed to a peak of 696.3 tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic 520-fold increase between these two years. In 2020, exports from Eastern Africa rose sharply by 145.8% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 99.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with an extraordinary growth of 21,065.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Eastern Africa's tapioca and starch substitutes exports in volume terms, together accounting for 98.9% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance displayed notable fluctuations during this period. Export values hit their lowest point in 2018 at 2,000 US dollars, then surged to a peak of 330,000 US dollars in 2020, representing a 151-fold increase between these years. In 2020, export value increased by 138.5% compared to 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 97.5% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with growth of 6,224.2%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, South Africa remained the primary destination for Eastern Africa's tapioca and starch substitutes exports in value terms, capturing 82.4% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following two consecutive years of growth, tapioca and starch substitutes imports into Eastern Africa declined in 2020. Import volumes reached 687.5 tonnes in 2020, representing a 24.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the full 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 905.9 tonnes. The most significant increase occurred in 2018 with growth of 16.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Thailand, South Africa, and India—collectively accounted for 70.6% of all tapioca and starch substitutes imports into Eastern Africa in volume terms.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of expansion, cross-border shipments of tapioca and starch substitutes into Eastern Africa contracted in 2020. Import value stood at 679,000 US dollars in 2020, showing a substantial 32.1% decrease from the previous year. However, over the entire 2017-2020 period, import value actually increased by 12.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 1,000,000 US dollars. The most significant increase occurred in 2018 with growth of 30.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand (37.2% of import value), South Africa (22.1%), and China (5.2%) together represented 64.5% of total tapioca and starch substitutes imports into Eastern Africa in value terms, maintaining their position as the primary source markets.

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

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