The U.S. imported a record volume of starch last year, with most categories showing notable year-over-year growth. Higher demand for imported starch underlines the call for non-GMO starches that can satisfy clean labeling requirements.

Potato starch imports were up 1 percent from 2021, which in turn was up 18 percent from 2020. Germany supplied 84 percent of 2022 imports, and Canada provided most of the remaining volume.

Cassava (tapioca) starch imports were up 6 percent from 2021. Thailand was the source for 79 percent of U.S. cassava starch imports last year.

Corn starch imports in 2022 jumped 48 percent from 2021. Canada remained the largest single source, but Europe exported a record volume of non-GMO corn starch.

Wheat starch imports declined slightly from 2021 but were still the second highest volume the U.S. has imported in a year. Australia supplied more than half of that total.

The Trade Commission lumps several starch sources into the “rice and other feedstocks” category, but looking at the import origins, we see that Canada shipped 19,000 MT to the U.S. (more than double 2021’s exports)—likely starch derived from peas and other pulses.

Further information and pricing concerning starch and starch derivatives are available to our IQ subscribers. Log in to read more.

U.S. annual starch imports


Source: USDA
Posted by: Information Services
Our Information Services team assists our clients with understanding commodity and ingredient market dynamics. Using our extensive database of intelligence, we also produce regular commodity and commercial market publications covering supply and demand fundamentals, news alerts on events that shape the markets, and resource guides to give you a complete picture of the industries we monitor.