Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tapioca and starch substitutes in Southern Asia showed significant fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. Starting at 29,293 t in 2018, it fell to 22,462 t in 2019. The market then surged to 35,746 t in 2020, driven by changing consumer preferences towards natural and sustainable products during the COVID-19 pandemic and rising interest in tapioca-based bioplastics due to regulatory pressures on single-use plastics.

After a slight decline to 32,331 t in 2021, the market recovered to 33,785 t in 2022 and grew to 37,009 t in 2023. This growth was supported by the expansion of domestic processing capacity in producer countries like Vietnam, increased demand from new segments such as cosmetics and biodegradable packaging, and the sustained popularity of gluten-free and clean-label products.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in Southern Asia

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

Southern Asia's production of tapioca and starch substitutes has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 22 983 tonnes, marking a 21.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 45.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The export data shows significant fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports varied dramatically, with a 9.5-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Southern Asia exported 2 037 tonnes of tapioca and starch substitutes, representing a substantial increase of 475.9% from the year before. The largest drop occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 37.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Southern Asia's tapioca and starch substitutes exports in volume terms were the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 46.8% of exports, Kuwait with 6.7%, and Saudi Arabia at 4.2%. Together, these three countries made up 57.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export values varied widely, with a 25-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, cross-border shipments of tapioca and starch substitutes from Southern Asia reached 2 448 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 703.6% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when values dropped by 56.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports of tapioca and starch substitutes from Southern Asia in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The United Arab Emirates led with 17.0% of exports, followed by Saudi Arabia at 5.3%, and the United Kingdom at 4.8%. Combined, these three markets accounted for only 27.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Import data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports varied significantly, with a 3.8-fold gap between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Southern Asia imported 14 799 tonnes of tapioca and starch substitutes, which is 275.2% higher than the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 944 tonnes, and the largest decline also occurred in 2019, with a drop of 64.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand dominated Southern Asia's imports of tapioca and starch substitutes in volume terms, consistently accounting for 77.5% of total imports. This indicates a high concentration on the Thai market, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Import values varied by 4.2 times between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, shipments of tapioca and starch substitutes to Southern Asia from abroad amounted to 15 840 thousand US dollars, representing a gain of 322.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 746 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline also occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 57.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Thailand, Turkey, and China consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms. Thailand accounted for 61.4% of imports, Turkey for 16.6%, and China for 5.7%. Together, these three countries made up 83.6% of total import flows.

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

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