Wheat starch market in France

Earlier Report Observations

The French wheat starch market experienced a decline in volume to 916 thousand tons in 2019, followed by a period of steady growth reaching 1 040 thousand tons by 2023. The initial contraction was not linked to any specific reported market events, while the subsequent recovery aligned with broader industry stability and evolving demand patterns.

From 2023, the market's expansion was supported by a rising consumer preference for natural ingredients and clean-label products, which boosted demand for native wheat starch, particularly in food segments like desserts and ice cream. Concurrently, consumption in animal feed continued its upward trend, having grown by 20% since 2012. Technological advancements in starch extraction and refining also improved product quality, facilitating higher-value applications. These growth drivers operated against a backdrop of significant wheat price volatility and reduced demand from the German packaging sector, a key client for the French starch industry, which exerted a moderating influence on the market.

Production wheat starch in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

France was the world's leading producer of wheat starch from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

France's wheat starch production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, output reached 969 K t, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 965 K t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 4.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Wheat starch production in France declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 439.4 M $ US, representing a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 449.0 M $ US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 1.3%.

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

Exports wheat starch from France

Exports in kind, t

France's wheat starch exports declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports totaled 78 964 t, marking a 17.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 95 671 t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 22.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the top buyers of French wheat starch by volume. Germany accounted for 41.1% of exports, followed by the United Kingdom at 18.5%, and Belgium at 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented 65.8% of France's total wheat starch exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

France's wheat starch export value declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports amounted to 35 810 K $ US, a 19.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 14.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 44 461 K $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 25.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands were the leading destinations for French wheat starch by value. Germany accounted for 38.0% of export value, the United Kingdom for 18.7%, and the Netherlands for 6.5%. Combined, these three countries represented 63.2% of France's total wheat starch export value.

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

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

Imports wheat starch to France

Imports in kind, t

France's wheat starch imports increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, imports reached 54 688 t, a significant 17.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 18.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 46 440 t, which also saw the largest annual decline of 18.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy were the main sources of wheat starch imports to France by volume. Belgium accounted for 32.9% of imports, the Netherlands for 23.4%, and Italy for 19.5%. Together, these three countries represented 75.9% of France's total wheat starch imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

France's wheat starch import value increased after two years of reduction. In 2020, imports amounted to 23 550 K $ US, a 10.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 14%, with an annualized decline rate of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21 286 K $ US, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy consistently remained the top sources of wheat starch imports to France by value. Belgium accounted for 34.6% of import value, the Netherlands for 20.4%, and Italy for 20.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 75.2% of France's total wheat starch import value.

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

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