Wheat starch market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat starch market volume in ASEAN fell from 203 thousand tons in 2018 to 152 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was partly driven by the development of local starch alternatives, such as modified rice and corn starch, for gluten-free bakery products, which reduced dependence on imported wheat starch. Although the COVID-19 pandemic raised consumer awareness of healthy and plant-based foods, supporting demand for clean-label starch, the overall market volume continued to shrink.

In 2022, the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted global wheat supplies, pushing up prices and encouraging local wheat starch production in ASEAN. This led to a temporary market recovery to 131 thousand tons, but rising production and energy costs in 2023 weighed on the market, bringing volume down to 121 thousand tons.

Throughout the period, shifting consumer preferences toward gluten-free and convenience foods stimulated innovation in wheat starch applications. Companies also invested in more efficient and sustainable production technologies to meet growing demand for health-conscious and environmentally friendly products.

Production wheat starch in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

In 2020, ASEAN produced 73 620 tons of wheat starch, marking a significant 14.0% decline compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 17.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 6.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 70 035 tons. That same year saw the steepest decline of 21.8%, while 2019 experienced the largest increase of 22.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat starch production in ASEAN reached 44 273 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 9.7% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 42 605 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 49 022 thousand US dollars. The most substantial decline happened in 2018 at 12.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 15.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wheat starch from ASEAN

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed considerable volatility during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.9-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, ASEAN's wheat starch exports amounted to 19.9 thousand tons, down 10.7% from the prior year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 28.8 thousand tons. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019 at 22.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 187.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key partners for ASEAN's wheat starch exports in volume terms were Asia (not elsewhere specified) with 0.7% of exports, the United States also at 0.7%, and Japan at 0.6%. Together, these three markets accounted for 2.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility throughout this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and their highest in 2018, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ASEAN's wheat starch exports were valued at 11 983 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 6.2% decrease compared to 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 17 490 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline took place in 2019 at 26.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 220.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the largest buyers of ASEAN's wheat starch in value terms were Japan with 1.5% of exports, Turkey at 1.2%, and the United States at 0.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 3.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports wheat starch to ASEAN

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes were at their lowest in 2017 and reached their highest in 2018, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ASEAN imported 99.2 thousand tons of wheat starch, indicating a modest 5.6% reduction compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 162.1 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 35.2%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018 at 99.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the dominant supplier of wheat starch to ASEAN, accounting for 80.1% of total import volume. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import values were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.3-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, ASEAN imported wheat starch worth 42 134 thousand US dollars, representing an 8.7% decline from the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2018 at 67 770 thousand US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019 at 31.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 129.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Australia was the key supplier of wheat starch to ASEAN, capturing 77.8% of total import value. A diverse group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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