Wheat starch market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat starch market in Western Europe experienced a contraction from 1.89 million tons in 2018 to 1.74 million tons in 2021, as production declined and import-export patterns fluctuated. This period saw a gradual reduction in overall market volume, stabilizing around 1.85–1.83 million tons through 2020 and 2021.

A decisive rebound occurred in 2022 and 2023, with the market expanding to 2 million tons in 2023. This growth was fueled by rising demand from the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and paper packaging industries. Consumer shifts toward plant-based, clean-label, and gluten-free products significantly increased the application of wheat starch, especially modified varieties, while major companies like Agrana, Cargill, Roquette, and Tereos drove innovation and market development.

In 2024, wheat starch imports reached 217,000 tons against exports of 128,000 tons. The market operated under supply-side pressures from adverse weather that reduced wheat harvests and increased price volatility, coupled with new EU deforestation regulations affecting trade conditions. Underlying demand remained supported by persistent consumer preference for natural ingredients and processed foods.

Production wheat starch in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat starch, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat starch, 2017-2020

Western Europe's wheat starch production rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The region produced 1 911 K t of wheat starch that year, marking a 2.7% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 20.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 860 K t, while the steepest annual decline occurred in 2018 when production dropped by 19.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of wheat starch production in Western Europe stood at 962 M $ US, representing a 22.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 19.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of -6.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 235 M $ US, when production value saw its largest annual increase of 22.9%.

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

Exports wheat starch from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Western Europe's wheat starch exports reached 218.1 K t in 2020, showing a substantial 23.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 177.2 K t, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 234.0 K t. The most significant annual decline took place in 2019 when exports fell by 24.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's wheat starch exports were distributed across a diverse range of trading partners. Poland accounted for 10.5% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom for 9.1%, and Switzerland for 2.8%. Together, these three countries represented just 22.4% of total export flows, indicating a broad distribution across many markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's wheat starch export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 109.8 M $ US. This represented a 6.7% decrease compared to the previous year. However, over the broader 2017-2020 period, export value actually increased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 121.6 M $ US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 16.6%.

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

The value structure of Western Europe's wheat starch exports from 2017 to 2020 reveals a highly diversified partner base. Poland accounted for 9.6% of export value, the United Kingdom for 9.1%, and Sweden for 3.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 21.6% of total export flows, while the remaining 78.4% was distributed across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports wheat starch to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Western Europe's wheat starch imports declined in 2020. The region imported approximately 159.1 K t of wheat starch that year, representing a 37.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -0.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 256.0 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 32.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's wheat starch imports came from a wide range of trading partners. Lithuania accounted for 8.6% of imports in kind, Poland for 8.4%, and Italy for 4.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 21.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 78.6% sourced from numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Western Europe's wheat starch import value declined in 2020. Imports amounted to 160.4 M $ US that year, reflecting a 5.2% decrease compared to 2019. However, over the broader 2017-2020 period, import value actually increased by 16.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 169.3 M $ US, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 17.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's wheat starch imports in value terms came from a diverse set of trading partners. Lithuania accounted for 9.1% of import value, Poland for 8.3%, and Italy for 5.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 22.4% of total import flows, indicating a broad distribution across many supplying nations.

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

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