Wheat starch market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

The Latin American wheat starch market volume grew from 68 161 tons in 2018 to 86 209 tons in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by increasing demand from the food sector, particularly for pre-cooked foods, and rising use of wheat starch in textile manufacturing. Factors such as urbanization and growing consumption of processed foods continued to support market growth during this period.

Market volume stabilized at around 85 988 tons in 2021, while global demand for clean-label and gluten-free products sustained interest in modified starches. In 2022, the market reached 90 522 tons, partly due to growing application of wheat starch in bio-plastics and biodegradable materials, although sensitivity to wheat prices influenced production costs. By 2023, market volume contracted to 81 896 tons; during the same year, data from Mexico indicated a regional concentration of production and export in states like Baja California, Nuevo León, and Jalisco, with trade flows mainly directed toward the United States and Central American countries.

Production wheat starch in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

Wheat starch production in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 76 874 tonnes, marking a 15.8% gain compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 60 037 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 23.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wheat starch from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their minimum in 2019 and peaked in 2017, showing a dramatic 4 456-fold shift. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean's wheat starch exports totaled 4 tonnes, representing a solid rise of 12.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Turkey were the top contributors to exports in kind, accounting for 36.4%, 9.9%, and 5.7% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 52.0% of all export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The period saw a trough in 2019 and a peak in 2017, with a substantial 3 194-fold gap. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean exported 2 thousand US dollars worth of wheat starch, marking a robust increase of 10.8% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 99.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms remained highly diversified. Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Turkey accounted for 29.7%, 11.0%, and 6.3% of exports in value terms, respectively, totaling only 46.9% of all flows. A long tail of smaller markets made up the remaining 53.1%.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports wheat starch to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean's wheat starch imports totaled 9 339 tonnes, reflecting a solid contraction of 18.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 157 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 11 395 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 39.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, t

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that imports in kind of wheat starch to Latin America and the Caribbean were not concentrated on a few key destinations. The United States, the Netherlands, and Spain accounted for 8.6%, 7.7%, and 2.1% of imports in kind, respectively, jointly representing only 18.3% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, differing by 1.9 times. In 2020, Latin America and the Caribbean imported 5 818 thousand US dollars worth of wheat starch, reflecting a loss of 40.2% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 177 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 9 726 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 87.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017 to 2020, wheat starch imports to Latin America and the Caribbean were supplied to many different markets. Even the largest destinations — the United States, the Netherlands, and Spain — together represented only 24.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020