Wheat starch market in China

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, China's wheat starch market remained stable, with production volumes hovering around 910–918 thousand tons annually. This stability was underpinned by the state's minimum purchase price policy for wheat, which secured steady raw material supply for starch producers. Technological advancements and provincial subsidies for equipment upgrades further supported production efficiency. Even the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused some supply chain disruptions, but continued policy support and growing consumer demand for healthy food ingredients helped maintain market equilibrium.

The market expanded noticeably in 2021, when capacity expansion across the industry boosted output by roughly 10%, lifting market volume to 927 thousand tons. At the same time, rising demand for modified wheat starch in food and other applications drove a sharp 24% increase in market value to $585 million. The following year, stricter environmental regulations required manufacturers to invest in low-carbon production, which temporarily constrained output growth. Nevertheless, a clear trend of substituting corn starch with wheat starch in the food and paper sectors sustained consumption, limiting the decline in market volume.

In 2023, market volume rose again to 944 thousand tons, but intensifying competition and saturated capacity led to frequent price fluctuations and a drop in overall market value. The substitution advantage weakened as ample corn starch supply kept its prices in check, putting additional pressure on wheat starch producers' margins.

Production wheat starch in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, China held the second position globally in wheat starch production.

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 909.7 K t of wheat starch, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 917.7 K t, marking a 1.7% increase. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat starch output in China was 473.5 M $ US, a 3.6% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.1%, averaging an annual decline of 2.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 4.8%, while 2019 experienced the largest increase of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat starch from China

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, China exported 2 702 t of wheat starch, a slight increase of 0.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 3 487 t, which represented a 44.6% surge. However, 2019 saw the largest decline of 23.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Thailand were the three main markets, collectively accounting for 52.1% of China's wheat starch exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's wheat starch export value declined for the second year in a row, reaching 1 406 K $ US in 2020, a modest 3.0% contraction from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 843 K $ US, a 35.2% rise, while 2019 experienced the largest drop of 21.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Canada led China's wheat starch export structure by value, contributing 23.3%, 16.4%, and 11.0% respectively, for a combined total of 50.7% of exports.

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

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

Imports wheat starch to China

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, China imported 3 433 t of wheat starch, an 18.7% decrease from the prior year. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 4 221 t, a 252.9% increase, while the lowest was in 2017, resulting in a 6.6-fold gap between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the primary source for wheat starch imports into China, making up 70.2% of total imports by volume, with other destinations playing a much smaller role.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2020, foreign wheat starch supplies to China totaled 1 442 K $ US, a sharp 28.8% fall compared to the previous year. Import levels fluctuated threefold between the high of 2019 at 2 026 K $ US, a 200.7% increase, and the low of 2018 at 674 K $ US.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, Belgium, and France dominated China's wheat starch import structure by value, accounting for 56.5%, 23.2%, and 11.2% respectively, together representing 90.8% of total imports.

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

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