Wheat starch market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat starch market in Poland expanded notably from 2018 to 2020, with production rising from 744.1 thousand tons to 918.8 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by a forecasted 15% increase in wheat harvests for the 2019/20 season, which boosted raw material availability for starch manufacturers. Market volume followed suit, reaching 953.4 thousand tons in 2020.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2021, as production plummeted to 699.5 thousand tons and market volume fell to 746.6 thousand tons. The subsequent year saw market volume recover to 772.1 thousand tons, despite stable production around 696 thousand tons. This was influenced by record grain yields in Poland, which, however, led to falling domestic grain prices due to uncontrolled inflows from Ukraine, creating challenging conditions for processors.

In 2023, production increased to 720 thousand tons, though market volume slightly declined to 764.4 thousand tons amid a reported 30% drop in grain exports. By 2024, the market was shaped by government grain subsidies from January to May and investments in new starch-processing technologies, which improved efficiency and product quality. Imports of wheat starch remained elevated at 111.3 thousand tons, while exports surged to 89.1 thousand tons.

Production wheat starch in Poland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Poland held the third position globally in wheat starch production.

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

Wheat starch production in Poland grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Poland produced 918.8 K t of wheat starch, marking a 3.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 27.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.3%.

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

Exports wheat starch from Poland

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Poland's wheat starch export volume declined. In 2020, Poland exported 40 881 t of wheat starch, showing a significant reduction of 18.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 10.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 50 172 t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 23.2% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the dominant buyer of wheat starch from Poland, accounting for 95.7% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of gains, Poland's exported wheat starch volumes decreased. In 2020, exports totaled 15 480 K $ US, reflecting a sharp contraction of 30.2% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 9.8%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 22 189 K $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 48.0% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wheat starch from Poland was almost exclusively supplied to Germany, which absorbed 95.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports wheat starch to Poland

Imports in kind, t

Imported wheat starch volumes in Poland increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Poland imported 75 475 t of wheat starch, representing an 8.7% rise from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 65 534 t, with the largest drop also in 2018 at 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lithuania and Germany formed the dominant pair of markets for imports in volume, jointly making up 82.6% of total flows, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Wheat starch import volumes in Poland rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Poland imported a total of 24 682 K $ US of wheat starch, indicating a robust uptick of 17.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14.9%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 4.7%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 19 494 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 9.2% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Lithuania, Germany, and France—together absorbed 79.6% of total wheat starch imports to Poland in value terms.

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

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