Wheat starch market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Bolivia's wheat starch production increased from 40 000 t to 45 740 t, with market volume peaking at 45 960 t in 2020. The market's structure during this period featured significant state-owned and private actors like COMERCIALIZADORA DE TRIGO S.A. and Compañía Molinera Boliviana S.A., which were oriented toward domestic consumption.

After 2020, both production and market volume entered a period of decline, falling to 42 031 t and 42 248 t respectively by 2022. Concurrently, the broader Latin American wheat starch market was growing, fueled by rising demand in food and textile sectors, a trend that positioned Bolivia within a dynamic regional context.

A severe drought in 2023 drastically reduced wheat harvests, causing wheat starch production to drop to 33 762 t and market volume to 33 967 t. This was compounded by rising international wheat prices. To address the shortfall, the state company Emapa began planning wheat imports, and in 2024 the government set a base price for wheat and arranged imports of 60 000 t to secure supply for the processing industry.

Production wheat starch in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

On a global scale, Bolivia ranked as the 14th largest producer of wheat starch during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Bolivia's wheat starch production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 45 740 tonnes of wheat starch, marking a 14.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 16.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 6.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 39 830 tonnes, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 27.3% decrease.

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

Exports wheat starch from Bolivia

According to market reports, Bolivia did not export any wheat starch between 2017 and 2020.

Imports wheat starch to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 82.5 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 797.5 tonnes, resulting in a 9.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bolivia's wheat starch imports totaled 220.0 tonnes, representing a 166.7% increase compared to 2019. The most substantial decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 89.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all of Bolivia's wheat starch imports in kind were sourced from Argentina, which accounted for 100.0% of the total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Significant fluctuations characterized the market during this period. Import values hit their lowest point in 2019 at 35.8 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2018 at 345.5 thousand US dollars, showing a 9.7-fold difference. In 2020, the value of foreign wheat starch supplies to Bolivia amounted to 88.9 thousand US dollars, which is 148.6% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a decrease of 89.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina dominated Bolivia's wheat starch imports in value terms, capturing 100.0% of the total import flows.

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

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