Europe: Wheat Starch Market 2024

Wheat Starch Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe wheat starch market increased by 5% to $X, rising for the sixth year in a row after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Wheat Starch Production in Europe

In value terms, wheat starch production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Wheat Starch Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, overseas shipments of wheat starch were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wheat starch exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of wheat starch, namely Lithuania, Germany and the Netherlands, represented more than half of total export. It was distantly followed by France (X tons), Poland (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Italy (X tons), together creating a 31% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +170.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wheat starch supplying countries in Europe were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Lithuania ($X), with a combined 63% share of total exports. France, Poland, Italy and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Hungary, with a CAGR of +140.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 20% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable descent. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton), while Lithuania ($X per ton) and Hungary ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (-0.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Wheat Starch Imports

Imports in Europe

For the third year in a row, Europe recorded growth in overseas purchases of wheat starch, which increased by 19% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +46.4% against 2014 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, wheat starch imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +94.1% against 2015 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) was the main importer of wheat starch, mixing up 31% of total imports. The Netherlands (X tons) took a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (12%), France (11%), the UK (7.4%), Finland (6.2%) and Italy (5.6%).

Imports into Germany increased at an average annual rate of +9.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Italy (+19.7%), Poland (+15.8%), Finland (+8.9%) and France (+6.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Italy emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +19.7% from 2012-2021. The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the UK (-2.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Germany (+7.6 p.p.), Poland (+6.7 p.p.) and Italy (+3.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while the UK and the Netherlands saw its share reduced by -7.4% and -7.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported wheat starch in Europe, comprising 30% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany totaled +7.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (-0.2% per year) and France (+5.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 14%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+0.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform