Tapioca and starch substitutes market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for tapioca and starch substitutes in South-eastern Asia saw initial growth followed by pandemic-driven contraction. Thailand's industrial policy, known as Thailand 4.0, encouraged starch processing and product innovation, helping lift market volume from 614 thousand tons in 2018 to 629 thousand tons in 2019. The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 disrupted supply chains and exports, reducing the market to 615 thousand tons.

After a stable 2021 at 613 thousand tons, supported by recovering exports to China and investments in large processing facilities, the market jumped sharply to 962 thousand tons in 2022. This surge was fueled by the launch of new product forms such as granules and flakes, coupled with stepped-up investment in production technology. The following year, a domestic shortage of cassava raw material drove up costs and constrained output, causing the market to drop to 654 thousand tons in 2023.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in South-eastern 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 South-eastern Asia, 645.3 thousand tonnes of tapioca and starch substitutes were produced in 2020, marking a slight decline of 1.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 640.8 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 14.5%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 1.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The output of tapioca and starch substitutes in South-eastern Asia was valued at 629.7 million US dollars in 2020, representing a 2.3% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 2.2%, with a CAGR of -0.8%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 605.3 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 644.8 million US dollars. The largest decline of 6.0% was recorded in 2018, whereas 2019 saw the largest increase of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Tapioca and starch substitutes exports from South-eastern Asia have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 43 716 tonnes, showing a 3.0% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 40.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for tapioca and starch substitutes from South-eastern Asia was diverse. China accounted for 20.3% of exports in kind, Bangladesh for 12.5%, and Pakistan for 6.6%, together contributing 39.4% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but significant shares, reflecting a broad market distribution.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

South-eastern Asia's tapioca and starch substitutes exports have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, export value totaled 42 664 thousand US dollars, showing a slight gain of 1.6% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 59.8%, with an annualized rate of 16.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, China, Japan, and Bangladesh were the largest buyers of tapioca and starch substitutes from South-eastern Asia in value terms, with shares of 20.2%, 12.7%, and 8.7%, respectively. Their combined contribution was 41.6% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure with many other nations participating.

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

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

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South-eastern Asia imported 13 240 tonnes of tapioca and starch substitutes, equivalent to a dramatic decrease of 30.6% relative to the prior year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 19 066 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 92.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, and China led as suppliers of tapioca and starch substitutes to South-eastern Asia, with a joint share of 26.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, differing by a factor of 2.7. In 2020, South-eastern Asia's tapioca and starch substitutes imports reached 24 344 thousand US dollars, which is 22.3% smaller versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 31 311 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 84.0%.

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

In 2017-2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, and China remained the key sources for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 48.9% of total flows.

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

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