Tapioca and starch substitutes market in South Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tapioca and starch substitutes in South Africa saw significant volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After growing from 6,772 tons in 2018 to a peak of 8,821 tons in 2020, the market contracted sharply, falling to 6,525 tons in 2021 and then plummeting to 2,607 tons in 2022. By 2023, the market volume had decreased further to 1,809 tons, representing a decline of nearly 80% from the 2020 high. In value terms, the market followed a similar trajectory, peaking at 7.5 million USD in 2020 before dropping to 1.8 million USD in 2023.

Domestic production mirrored this volatile pattern, falling from over 7,000 tons annually between 2018 and 2020 to just 1,740 tons in 2023. Imports and exports also showed considerable year-to-year variability without stabilizing the overall market size. The trade data indicates that the dramatic reduction in market volume was driven primarily by a collapse in domestic output, which was not offset by sustained increases in imports.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, South Africa ranked 14th globally in the production of tapioca and starch substitutes.

Top producers of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2018-2021

World map of production of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2018-2021

South Africa's production of tapioca and starch substitutes declined after two years of growth. In 2021, the country produced 5 799 tonnes, marking a significant year-on-year decrease of 20.0%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 13.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.7%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2020 at 7 246 tonnes, with the largest increase of 6.9% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

South Africa's production of tapioca and starch substitutes declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 5 197 thousand US dollars, representing a 22.0% drop compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 7.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 6 830 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 21.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 225 tonnes and peaked in 2018, with a 2.7-fold difference between these extremes. In 2021, South Africa's exports totalled 528 tonnes, up by 3.1% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 62.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 127.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for South Africa's exports in kind were Zambia (37.1% of exports), Zimbabwe (24.0%), and Namibia (19.0%), collectively accounting for 80.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values hit a low in 2019 at 227 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold gap between these years. In 2021, exports amounted to 473 thousand US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged from 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 55.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 107.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over the period from 2018 to 2021, Zambia (34.3% of exports in value terms), Zimbabwe (24.4%), and Botswana (19.7%) were the primary destinations, together absorbing 78.4% of South Africa's total exports of tapioca and starch substitutes.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes reached a low in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2021, imports amounted to 1 254 tonnes, a sharp decrease of 39.9% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 2 086 tonnes, with the largest increase of 99.0% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Thailand accounted for 73.9% of South Africa's total imports in kind of tapioca and starch substitutes, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller partners.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, South Africa's imports of tapioca and starch substitutes declined. In 2021, imports were valued at approximately 871 thousand US dollars, which is 31.4% lower than in 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 62.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 1 270 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 54.8% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the period from 2018 to 2021, Thailand absorbed 74.0% of South Africa's total imports in value terms of tapioca and starch substitutes, with the balance spread across a wide range of smaller destinations.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021