Tapioca and starch substitutes market in Vietnam

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume of tapioca and starch substitutes in Vietnam contracted from 3 958 tonnes to 3 313 tonnes. This decline was initially influenced by the replacement of E92 gasoline with E5 fuel from January 2018, which reduced demand for tapioca starch as a biofuel feedstock. Additionally, low domestic corn starch prices in China made Vietnamese tapioca starch less competitive, pressuring exports. The market continued to shrink in 2020 and 2021.

The market rebounded in 2022, expanding to 3 854 tonnes, driven by strong growth in the tapioca starch processing industry. Cassava became a key raw material for processing and biofuel, supported by export revenues exceeding USD 1.4 billion, with China accounting for over 90% of volume and value. In 2023, market volume rose further to 4 285 tonnes despite a prolonged drop in Chinese demand for tapioca chips due to cheaper corn flour and reduced imports from Vietnam. This growth was sustained by increased domestic production and imports, as well as modernization among small-scale processors.

In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approved a sustainable cassava sector development plan targeting production over 12 million tonnes and USD 2 billion in exports by 2030. Demand for modified tapioca starch is growing strongly in food, paper, and textile industries, reflecting a shift toward green and sustainable consumption.

Production tapioca and starch substitutes in Vietnam

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Vietnam was one of the world's leading producers of tapioca and starch substitutes from 2017 to 2020, ranking 20th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of tapioca and starch substitutes, 2017-2020

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

Vietnam's production of tapioca and starch substitutes declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 473 tonnes, marking a moderate decrease of 7.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 712 tonnes, which represented the largest annual increase of 21.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Vietnam in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports tapioca and starch substitutes from Vietnam

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes fluctuated significantly, with a 4.4-fold difference between the low of 105 tonnes in 2018 and the high of 457 tonnes in 2019. In 2020, exports from Vietnam dropped to 226 tonnes, a sharp year-over-year decline of 50.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, surging by 335.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, the United States, and Japan were the core markets for Vietnam's tapioca and starch substitutes exports by volume. South Korea accounted for 45.5% of exports, the United States for 30.6%, and Japan for 3.3%, together making up 79.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values varied widely, with a 3.4-fold gap between the low of 2017 and the high of 2019. In 2020, Vietnam exported 398 thousand US dollars worth of tapioca and starch substitutes, a contraction of 30.4% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 572 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 232.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, the United States, and Canada were the main destinations for Vietnam's tapioca and starch substitutes exports by value. South Korea represented 43.7% of exports, the United States 31.9%, and Canada 3.1%, collectively accounting for 78.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports tapioca and starch substitutes to Vietnam

Imports in kind, t

Noticeable fluctuations marked market performance during this period. Import volumes peaked in 2019 at 2 723 tonnes and fell to their lowest point in 2017, showing a 2.2-fold variation. In 2020, imports into Vietnam totaled 2 359 tonnes, reflecting a solid decrease of 13.4% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 88.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, dominated Vietnam's tapioca and starch substitutes imports by volume, accounting for 88.7% of the total. The remaining imports were spread across a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values showed a 2.2-fold variation between the minimum in 2017 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, imports were recorded at 3 802 thousand US dollars, down by 9.7% from the previous year. The highest value was in 2019 at 4 212 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 97.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia, not elsewhere specified, was the principal source for Vietnam's tapioca and starch substitutes imports by value, making up 88.7% of the total. Other destinations contributed to a less significant portion of imports.

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

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