Wheat starch market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat starch market in Eastern Europe expanded from 883 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 1 097 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was primarily driven by the commissioning of new production capacity, such as the Gulkhevichsky starch plant reaching full output in 2019, which boosted domestic supply. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further supported production as demand from various consumer industries remained resilient.

The market contracted sharply to 888 thousand tons in 2021. This decline was directly linked to a surge in imported wheat starch, which displaced locally manufactured product. Market volume then stabilized around 888-895 thousand tons in 2022 and 2023, with slight fluctuations in trade flows but no major shift in overall consumption.

In 2024, industry developments continued to focus on deep grain processing, with increased output of corn gluten and starch. Reported constraints on raw materials and ongoing industry initiatives to develop modified food starches characterized the sector's dynamics.

Production wheat starch in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

Wheat starch production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 060 K t of wheat starch, marking a 7.4% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 849 K t, when output fell by 2.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase, with production jumping by 16.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of wheat starch production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, production was valued at 393.0 M $ US, down 11.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value increased by 15.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 443.0 M $ US, following a significant increase of 16.1% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports wheat starch from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Wheat starch exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 61 562 t, showing a substantial 10.8% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 60.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany was the primary buyer of wheat starch from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), accounting for 80.2% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of wheat starch exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) decreased. In 2020, export value stood at 22 826 K $ US, an 8.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 52.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 24 943 K $ US, after a sharp rise of 51.9% in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany remained the dominant export market in value terms, holding an 82.0% share of total flows. The rest of the exports were spread across various other markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat starch to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Wheat starch imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 89 000 t, up 8.5% from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 82 602 t, when imports fell by 15.4%. In 2019, imports rebounded with the largest increase of 10.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, Lithuania, Germany, and France were the key import partners in volume terms. Lithuania accounted for 58.4% of imports, Germany for 17.5%, and France for 6.0%, together making up 81.9% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of wheat starch imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 33 022 K $ US, a strong 13.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 17.1%, with a CAGR of 5.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 27 207 K $ US, when imports declined by 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania, Germany, and France were the main suppliers of wheat starch to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value terms. Lithuania held a 47.1% share, Germany 15.2%, and France 10.2%, collectively accounting for 72.5% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020