Market research

Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Latin America and the Caribbean" region includes following countries:

Argentina

Bolivia

Bouvet Island

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Ecuador

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

French Guiana

Guyana

Paraguay

Peru

Suriname

Uruguay

Venezuela

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Antigua and Barbuda

the Bahamas

Barbados

British Virgin Islands

Cayman Islands

Cuba

Dominica

Dominican Republic

Grenada

Guadeloupe

Haiti

Jamaica

Martinique

Montserrat

Curacao

Aruba

Saint Maarten (Dutch part)

Bonaire

Puerto Rico

Saint-Barthélemy

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Anguilla

Saint Lucia

Saint-Martin (French Part)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

Turks and Caicos Islands

United States Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market volume for tapioca and starch substitutes in Latin America and the Caribbean showed resilience after initial softness. Consumption dipped slightly to 96.5 thousand tons in 2019 but held steady near 96 thousand tons through 2021. A recovery began in 2022, with volume reaching 99.8 thousand tons by 2023. This rebound was supported by growing consumer interest in gluten-free foods and the rising popularity of Asian cuisine, particularly bubble tea, which increased demand for tapioca pearls as a key ingredient.

In value terms, the market experienced a significant transformation, contracting in the early part of the period before surging to 229.3 million US dollars in 2023. The sharp increase in market value aligned with broader consumer trends toward clean-label, plant-based diets and premium natural ingredients, which can support higher product valuations. Meanwhile, production volumes remained relatively stable, while imports grew steadily, reflecting an expanding supply base to meet the evolving demand.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Latin America and the Caribbean
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Argentina by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In Latin America and the Caribbean, tapioca and starch substitutes production reached 99.2 thousand tonnes in 2020, remaining broadly stable compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 98.8 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 101.3 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.5% drop, whereas the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 2.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.3%	(2.5%)	0.4%	0.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Tapioca and starch substitutes production in Latin America and the Caribbean declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 183.4 million US dollars, marking a moderate 3.7% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.9%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 197.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.5%	(3.6%)	(3.7%)	(1.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 3 836 tonnes of tapioca and starch substitutes, up by 25.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 40.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.2%	(2.8%)	25.3%	11.9%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Portugal, and Spain were the primary markets for tapioca and starch substitutes exports from Latin America and the Caribbean, accounting for 51.0%, 9.2%, and 8.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 68.7% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Latin America and the Caribbean exported 7 094 thousand US dollars worth of tapioca and starch substitutes in 2020, reflecting a strong 20.2% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 34.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.6%	(3.9%)	20.2%	10.4%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, the United States, Spain, and Portugal were the top three markets for tapioca and starch substitutes exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value terms, collectively absorbing 76.5% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported 724 tonnes of tapioca and starch substitutes, down by 3.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 28.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 677 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 33.3%. The biggest increase was in 2019 at 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(33.3%)	11.3%	(3.9%)	(10.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in kind of tapioca and starch substitutes to Latin America and the Caribbean were not heavily concentrated. Asia (not elsewhere specified), Thailand, and the United States accounted for 17.9%, 12.0%, and 6.3% of imports, respectively, together capturing only 36.2% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Latin America and the Caribbean imported approximately 1 855 thousand US dollars of tapioca and starch substitutes in 2020, showing a slight gain of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 15.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 175 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 35.9%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 15.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	35.9%	(15.5%)	1.0%	5.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, tapioca and starch substitutes imports to Latin America and the Caribbean were supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations—Asia (not elsewhere specified), the United States, and Thailand—together represented only 39.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io