Wheat starch market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian wheat starch market volume demonstrated a clear growth trajectory from 2018 to 2023, increasing from 519 thousand tons to 643 thousand tons. This expansion occurred despite some year-to-year volatility, including a significant jump in 2019 and a temporary contraction in 2021 before strong recovery in the following two years.

Domestic production levels varied across the period, ranging from a low of 661 thousand tons in 2021 to a high of 734 thousand tons in 2023. Simultaneously, export volumes underwent a pronounced decline, falling from 160 thousand tons in 2018 to under 80 thousand tons in 2022.

The combined effect of fluctuating production and sharply lower exports resulted in a net increase in the volume of wheat starch available for domestic consumption, driving the overall market size upward over the six-year span.

Production wheat starch in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia ranked fourth globally in wheat starch production volume.

Top producers of wheat starch, 2018-2021

World map of production of wheat starch, 2018-2021

Australia's wheat starch production declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 660.5 K t of wheat starch, a 2.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 2.7%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 690.9 K t, which represented a 1.8% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Australia's wheat starch output was valued at 279.8 M $ US, showing a modest 6.9% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, production value rose by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value occurred in 2020 at 261.7 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 282.5 M $ US. The most significant decline took place in 2020, when the value dropped by 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports wheat starch from Australia

Exports in kind, K t

Australia's wheat starch exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 107.7 K t, representing a moderate 5.2% decrease from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 32.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States remained the top buyers of Australian wheat starch by volume. Indonesia accounted for 51.9% of exports, Thailand for 8.7%, and the United States for 7.8%. Together, these three countries represented 68.5% of Australia's total wheat starch exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Australia's wheat starch export value increased in 2021. Exports reached 45 620 K $ US, up 4.4% from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 28.8%, with an average annual decline of 10.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 43 682 K $ US, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 19.4% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, Thailand, and the United States were the main destinations for Australian wheat starch exports by value. Indonesia accounted for 50.2% of export value, Thailand for 9.2%, and the United States for 7.1%. Collectively, these three markets represented 66.5% of Australia's total wheat starch export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports wheat starch to Australia

Imports in kind, K t

Wheat starch imports into Australia showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest import volume occurred in 2018, while the peak was reached in 2020, with a fourfold difference between these years. In 2021, imports totaled 0.4 K t, marking a sharp 58.4% decline from 2020. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 1.0 K t, which represented a substantial 132.2% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and France were the primary sources of wheat starch imports into Australia by volume. Hong Kong accounted for 27.4% of imports, the Netherlands for 24.9%, and France for 19.2%. Together, these three sources represented 71.5% of Australia's total wheat starch imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After rising for two years, Australia's wheat starch import value declined in 2021. Imports amounted to 581 K $ US, a 25.5% decrease from the previous year. However, over the 2018-2021 period, import value increased by 20.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 780 K $ US, which represented a 34.0% increase from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the leading sources of wheat starch imports into Australia by value were Hong Kong, China, and the Netherlands. Hong Kong accounted for 48.4% of import value, China for 14.3%, and the Netherlands for 14.0%. Collectively, these three sources represented 76.7% of Australia's total wheat starch import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021