Wheat starch market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the wheat starch market in MENA was influenced by climatic challenges, including poor rainfall, which affected regional wheat production and increased reliance on imports to support starch volume. This period saw gradual market growth, bolstered in 2020 by increased innovation in product composition and packaging to meet consumer trends toward health and wellness, which stimulated demand for wheat starch.

A sharp expansion in market volume occurred from 2021 to 2022. This surge was primarily driven by substantial Egyptian government investments in integrated agricultural development projects, aimed at boosting wheat production and securing raw material supply for starch manufacturing. Continued state support helped offset headwinds in 2022, such as the doubling of urea fertilizer prices due to natural gas price volatility and reduced phosphate supplies from Eastern Europe, allowing production and market volume to reach a peak.

The market volume contracted in 2023, influenced by the Russia-Ukraine war's disruption to wheat supply chains and drought conditions in Morocco that affected grain imports. Looking to 2024, market adaptation is seen through increased Egyptian wheat imports, enhanced government support for local wheat cultivation in Algeria, and the growth of e-commerce channels for agricultural product distribution.

Production wheat starch in MENA

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 the MENA region grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 24 747 tonnes, marking a modest increase of 2.6% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 84.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 22.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, wheat starch production in the MENA region saw a decline in value. In 2020, the output was valued at 11 622 thousand US dollars, down 1.0% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value rose by 59.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.8%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 11 742 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 31.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports wheat starch from MENA

Exports in kind, t

After increasing for two consecutive years, wheat starch exports from the MENA region fell in 2020. Shipments totalled 6 173 tonnes, a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 119%, with an average annual rate of 29.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 271 tonnes, while the most significant increase happened in 2018 at 63.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Kenya were the primary destinations for wheat starch exports from the MENA region in volume terms. Turkey accounted for 49.4% of exports, Afghanistan for 6.1%, and Kenya for 2.7%. Together, these three markets represented 58.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of wheat starch exports from the MENA region declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 2 899 thousand US dollars, down 5.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 89.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.7%. The peak was in 2019 at 3 053 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 53.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Kenya dominated the value of wheat starch exports from the MENA region. Turkey held 49.9% of export value, Afghanistan 6.1%, and Kenya 2.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 58.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports wheat starch to MENA

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, wheat starch imports into the MENA region reached 6 373 tonnes, showing a moderate increase of 9.1% year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 33.4%, with an annualized rate of 10.1%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 6 618 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018 at 38.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of wheat starch imports into the MENA region was highly diverse. Belgium accounted for 13.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 13.5%, and France for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 60.6% spread across numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the MENA region imported wheat starch valued at 3 328 thousand US dollars, an increase of 5.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 33.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 3 338 thousand US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2019 at 5.2%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018 at 33.6%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that wheat starch imports into the MENA region in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 13.2% of import value, France for 13.0%, and Belgium for 11.5%. Combined, these three countries represented only 37.7% of total import flows.

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

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