Wheat starch market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat starch market in Northern Europe expanded significantly from 2018 to 2021, with volume rising from 155 thousand tons to 285 thousand tons. This growth was driven by increased demand for convenience foods due to urbanization and faster lifestyles, which boosted the use of wheat starch as a thickening and stabilizing agent. Concurrently, the clean-label trend and consumer concern over ingredients in food products further stimulated market uptake. From 2019 onward, the rising demand for gluten-free products propelled production of refined wheat starch variants for this segment, while technological advances in production processes improved quality and functionality, supporting applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

Market volume then contracted sharply, falling to 188 thousand tons in 2022 and 151 thousand tons in 2023. Production dropped from a peak of 310 thousand tons in 2021 to 186 thousand tons in 2023, while imports and exports also declined over the same period.

Production wheat starch in Northern Europe

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 Northern Europe has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 264.0 thousand tons, which represents a significant 23.0% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 57.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Wheat starch production in Northern Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 91 625 thousand US dollars, showing a strong year-over-year rise of 20.4%. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 78.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.3%.

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

Exports wheat starch from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, wheat starch exports from Northern Europe declined. In 2020, exports reached 137.0 thousand tons, marking a 5.9% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 11.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 145.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary buyers of wheat starch from Northern Europe, accounting for 45.0%, 7.7%, and 5.2% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 57.9% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, wheat starch shipments from Northern Europe to abroad declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 47 536 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 7.9% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 26.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.1%. The peak value was in 2019 at 51 606 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 17.2%.

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

An analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands accounted for 37.0%, 6.1%, and 4.7% of exports in value terms, respectively, totaling 47.7% of total flows. The remaining 52.3% went to other partners.

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

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

Imports wheat starch to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Northern Europe imported 118.6 thousand tons of wheat starch, representing a substantial 13.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 104.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Northern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands were the main sources for wheat starch imports to Northern Europe, accounting for 21.1%, 16.5%, and 14.5% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 52.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe imported a total of 58 339 thousand US dollars worth of wheat starch, constituting a 7.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 23.7%, equating to an average annual rate of 7.4%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 1.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for imports in value terms were Belgium, France, and Germany, which together accounted for 53.4% of total flows.

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

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