Tapioca and starch substitutes market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for tapioca and starch substitutes in France showed pronounced volatility. It began at 5 908 t in 2018, rose sharply to 8 095 t in 2019, then fell to 6 735 t in 2020. A partial recovery to 7 182 t occurred in 2021, followed by a peak of 9 740 t in 2022. The market then contracted significantly to 7 199 t in 2023.

This trajectory was shaped by varying domestic output and substantial swings in imports, which ranged from a low of 4 501 t to a high of 7 573 t. Exports declined steadily throughout the period, falling from 2 602 t to 1 324 t, which increased the share of supply available for domestic consumption.

In 2024, imports rebounded to 6 439 t. This movement aligned with a global surge in demand for gluten-free and clean-label ingredients, which elevated the use of tapioca starch in the food sector. New processing capacity in Asia improved raw material availability, while the launch of specialized tapioca starch products like Roquette Frères' Clearem range met specific texture demands from European food manufacturers. These developments were reinforced by a continued shift in French consumer preference toward natural and allergen-free alternatives, solidifying tapioca's role as a substitute for cornstarch.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in France

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked as the 15th largest global producer of tapioca and starch substitutes.

Top producers of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

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

France's production of tapioca and starch substitutes grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 4 211 tonnes, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 3.1%, with an average annual decrease of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 837 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 11.7%. In contrast, 2019 marked the biggest increase at 9.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of France's tapioca and starch substitutes production rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production was valued at 8 961 thousand US dollars, reflecting a solid year-over-year increase of 11.4%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 14.6%, averaging 4.6% annually. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 6 295 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 19.5%. The most significant increase was in 2019, at 27.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in France in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from France

Exports in kind, t

France's exports of tapioca and starch substitutes fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 032 tonnes, down 0.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 3.9%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 2 602 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 13.7%. The biggest drop occurred in 2019, at 21.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Poland, and the United States were the top three markets, collectively accounting for 69.2% of France's total tapioca and starch substitutes exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, France's exports of tapioca and starch substitutes in value terms totalled 4 326 thousand US dollars, showing a notable rise of 10.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 5%, with an average annual growth of 1.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 926 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, Poland, and the United Kingdom led as the top buyers of French tapioca and starch substitutes by value, with shares of 33.8%, 16.2%, and 15.7% respectively. Together, they represented 65.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to France

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, France's imports of tapioca and starch substitutes totalled 4 557 tonnes, a 23.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 4.8%, averaging a 1.6% annual decline. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 5 950 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 27.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Côte d'Ivoire, and Belgium were the key sources for France's tapioca and starch substitutes imports by volume, with shares of 53.8%, 22.8%, and 9.3% respectively. Combined, they made up 85.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

France's imports of tapioca and starch substitutes in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 5 711 thousand US dollars, down 14.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 17.9%, with an average annual growth of 5.6%. The peak value was in 2018 at 7 520 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 55.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Thailand, Côte d'Ivoire, and Belgium consistently dominated France's tapioca and starch substitutes imports by value, with shares of 41.5%, 23.6%, and 10.6% respectively. Together, they accounted for 75.6% of total import value.

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

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