Market research

Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The market for tapioca and starch substitutes in Sub-Saharan Africa was substantial at 392 thousand tons in 2018, underpinned by cassava's role as a staple crop providing around 40% of dietary calories in the region. It grew to 409 thousand tons in 2019 due to sustained demand from food and industrial sectors for native and modified cassava starch. However, in 2020, market volume contracted to 376 thousand tons as fluctuations in agricultural raw material prices raised production costs for modified tapioca starch.

Production rebounded in 2021, reaching 398 thousand tons, following the introduction of new enzymatic processing and drying technologies that improved output quality and yield. This was accompanied by the entry of new players investing in vertically integrated processing plants. Growth continued through 2022 and 2023, with market volume rising to 411 thousand tons and then 416 thousand tons, aided by improved international market access via trade agreements like AGOA, which facilitated exports to the United States. The emergence of new product segments such as tapioca pearls, popular among young consumers, and investments by major companies in low-carbon production capacity to meet rising demand for natural and organic ingredients further sustained market expansion.

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 Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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 Sub-Saharan Africa

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

Sub-Saharan Africa's production of tapioca and starch substitutes saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, the region produced 378.9 thousand tons, marking a 7.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 2.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.7%. The peak production was recorded in 2019 at 409.6 thousand tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 4.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.4%	4.3%	(7.5%)	(0.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of tapioca and starch substitutes production in Sub-Saharan Africa reached 270.3 million US dollars, showing a 16.3% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 232.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 296.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.5% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with an 18.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.7%	(21.5%)	16.3%	2.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exports of tapioca and starch substitutes from Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes reached 6 545 tons, reflecting a strong 16.4% growth compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 41.2%, averaging an annual increase of 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.0%	18.9%	16.4%	12.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—France, the United States, and Belgium—collectively accounted for 66.8% of Sub-Saharan Africa's total exports of tapioca and starch substitutes in volume terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of tapioca and starch substitutes exports from Sub-Saharan Africa rose to 4 669 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 46.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 56.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 10.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.3%	(10.5%)	46.4%	16.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, three principal markets—France, the United States, and Belgium—together made up 64.2% of the total export value of tapioca and starch substitutes from Sub-Saharan Africa.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, imports of tapioca and starch substitutes into Sub-Saharan Africa totaled 3 495 tons, down by 28.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 883 tons, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 39.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(4.1%)	39.6%	(28.4%)	(1.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and Turkey were the main sources of tapioca and starch substitutes imports into Sub-Saharan Africa in volume terms. Thailand accounted for 41.6% of imports, China for 12.9%, and Turkey for 7.4%, together representing 61.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, imports of tapioca and starch substitutes into Sub-Saharan Africa declined. In 2020, import value stood at 3 095 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual decrease of 9.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 27.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 3 432 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 22.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.5%	22.4%	(9.8%)	8.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Thailand, China, and Turkey were the largest suppliers of tapioca and starch substitutes to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Thailand contributed 39.1% of imports, China 20.1%, and Turkey 3.2%, collectively accounting for 62.5% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io