Report

Starch And Starch Derivatives Market Analysis

The starch and starch derivatives market size in 2026 is estimated at USD 91.43 billion, growing from 2025 value of USD 88.31 billion with 2031 projections showing USD 108.74 billion, growing at 3.53% CAGR over 2026-2031. The market growth is driven by specialized segments that meet the requirements for clean labels, plant-based formulations, and industrial biosolutions. These segments are responding to increasing consumer demand for natural ingredients and sustainable products across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications. Fluctuations in raw material costs, particularly corn and wheat, influence profitability, while increasing regulatory focus on sustainability creates opportunities in starch-based bioplastics and pharmaceutical excipients. The development of innovative starch derivatives for specific applications, such as modified starches for food thickening and stabilization, is contributing to market expansion. North America dominates the market with a 34.76% share, driven by established food processing industries and technological advancements. The Asia-Pacific region exhibits stronger growth at a 5.66% CAGR, supported by new production capacity, cassava diversification, and increased healthcare applications. This growth is further enhanced by rising disposable incomes, changing dietary preferences, and expanding industrial applications in emerging economies.

Global Starch And Starch Derivatives Market Trends and Insights



Rapid Expansion of the Global Processed and Convenience Food Industry

The processed food industry's evolution is driving significant changes in starch demand patterns, as manufacturers require increasingly specialized starch solutions that maintain stability during various processing conditions and extend product shelf life. This trend is particularly prominent in the ready-meal segment, where modified starches are replacing traditional varieties due to their enhanced freeze-thaw stability and superior texture retention capabilities. The industry's shift toward clean-label formulations presents substantial opportunities for suppliers offering functionally modified starches without chemical processing. Food manufacturers are actively seeking natural alternatives that meet both functional requirements and consumer preferences for cleaner ingredients. For example, Ingredion launched a functional native corn starch in August 2024 to expand its clean-label product portfolio, responding to the growing market demand for natural starch solutions. This development reflects the broader industry movement toward sustainable and consumer-friendly ingredients while maintaining the necessary technical performance in food applications.

Shifting Consumer Trends Towards Plant-Based and Functional Ingredients

The growing consumer demand for plant-based alternatives has created opportunities for starch producers to develop specialized texturizing agents that mimic the characteristics of animal-derived ingredients. According to the United States Department of Agriculture data from 2023, 1.58 million people in Germany adopted plant-based diets, reflecting a significant shift in dietary preferences. Starch-based solutions now deliver functional benefits, including improved digestibility and sustained energy release, while creating new sensory experiences. These solutions enable food manufacturers to enhance product texture, stability, and overall mouthfeel in plant-based alternatives. The development focus has shifted toward starches with specific nutritional profiles, such as resistant starches that act as prebiotic fiber. This enables manufacturers to implement premium pricing strategies in health-focused food categories while meeting regulatory requirements for improved nutritional content in processed foods. The advancement in starch technology has also facilitated the creation of clean-label products, addressing consumer demands for natural and minimally processed ingredients.

Volatility in Agricultural Raw Material Prices Impacting Profit Margins

Raw material price volatility presents a significant challenge for starch processors due to climate change and geopolitical tensions disrupting supply chains and affecting production costs. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates that corn prices experienced substantial volatility in 2024, affecting manufacturers' ability to maintain consistent pricing. These disruptions influence both input costs and production yields, as variations in raw material quality reduce starch extraction efficiency and increase processing expenses. The impact is particularly severe in regions with limited agricultural diversity and inadequate storage infrastructure, leading to heightened vulnerability to market fluctuations. Starch processors are addressing these challenges by diversifying their raw material sources and implementing technologies capable of processing lower-grade inputs while maintaining output quality. This includes establishing relationships with multiple suppliers across different geographical regions and investing in advanced processing equipment. The industry's adaptation strategies also encompass improved inventory management systems and the development of risk-hedging mechanisms to mitigate the effects of market uncertainties.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

Cost-Effectiveness of Starch Compared to Other HydrocolloidsWidespread Use of Starch as a Fat Replacer in Food and Beverage ApplicationLimited Functional Stability and Shelf Life of Native Starches

For complete list of drivers and restraints, kindly check the Table Of Contents.

Segment Analysis

The starch derivatives segment held 54.02% market share in 2025, benefiting from its diverse applications across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. Modified starch, though currently smaller, is emerging as the innovation frontier with 5.30% CAGR projected for 2026-2031, driven by its enhanced functional properties and clean-label potential. Native starch continues to serve traditional applications but faces increasing competition from modified variants that offer superior performance in challenging processing conditions.

Within starch derivatives, glucose syrups and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) maintain significant positions, particularly in beverage applications, while maltodextrin serves as a versatile ingredient in food formulations requiring specific viscosity and texture profiles. The dextrins segment is gaining traction in specialty applications where specific solubility and adhesive properties are required.

Maize starch dominated the market with a 68.95% share in 2025, benefiting from its abundant supply, cost-effectiveness, and versatile functional properties across multiple applications. Potato starch is emerging as the fastest-growing source at 5.05% CAGR for 2026-2031, driven by its superior viscosity and clarity in food applications, particularly in regions with established potato cultivation infrastructure.

Wheat starch maintains a significant position, especially in Europe, where it benefits from local agricultural production and established processing facilities. Tapioca starch is gaining traction in clean-label applications due to its neutral flavor profile and non-GMO status, while other sources like rice and cassava are finding niches in specialty applications. The market players are launching new starches in the market to cater to the rising demand. For instance, in August 2024, Roquette Freres launched a range of cook-up tapioca starches, Clearem. They are used in bakery fillings, desserts, and dairy products.

The Starch and Starch Derivatives Market Report is Segmented by Type (Native Starch, Modified Starch, and Starch Derivatives), Source (Maize, Wheat, and More), Form (Powder and Liquid), Application (Food and Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, and More) and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Geography Analysis

North America leads the starch and starch derivatives market with a 34.41% share in 2025, supported by its extensive corn production and advanced processing infrastructure. The region's strong food processing and pharmaceutical industries maintain consistent demand for specialized starch products. The industry has evolved beyond commodity offerings to focus on value-added derivatives and specialty products to achieve higher margins. Additionally, the demand for starches as fat replacers is increasing in the region, owing to the rising incidence of lifestyle diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , data from 2023, 40.3% of adults in the United States were obese.

Asia-Pacific demonstrates the highest growth potential with a projected CAGR of 5.38% during 2026-2031. This growth stems from rapid industrialization, expanding food processing sectors, and increasing pharmaceutical manufacturing. Japan specializes in high-quality, specialized starch products, while Australia contributes through research in starch modifications. The region's diverse agricultural resources, including rice, corn, and cassava, enable source diversification in starch production, supporting localized supply chains and specialized product development.

Europe holds a substantial market position through its established food processing industry and emphasis on sustainable, plant-based ingredients. The region's strict regulatory framework for food labeling and sustainability drives innovation in clean-label starch solutions and biodegradable applications, presenting both challenges and opportunities for market participants.

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

Archer Daniels Midland Company Cargill, Incorporated Ingredion Inc. Tate & Lyle PLC Roquette Freres S.A. Sudzucker Group Avebe U.A. AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG Tereos S.A. Grain Processing Corporation Manildra Group Japan Corn Starch Co. Ltd Angel Starch & Food Pvt Ltd Gulshan Polyols Ltd Universal Starch-Chem Allied Ltd SPAC Starch Products (India) Private Ltd. Everest Starch India Pvt. Ltd. Sage Oil LLC Medikonda Nutrients Meelunie B.V.

Additional Benefits:

The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
3 months of analyst support