Starch Market To Reach USD 97.6 Bn by 2034 at 5.6% CAGR

Overview

New York, NY – July 01, 2025 – The Global Starch Market is poised for significant growth, expected to reach USD 97.6 billion by 2034 from USD 56.5 billion in 2024, achieving a steady CAGR of 5.6% during the 2025–2034 forecast period. Modified starch commands a 56.3% market share in 2024, driven by its versatility and widespread industrial applications.

Its dominance in the Starch Market’s By Starch Type segment stems from enhanced functional properties. Corn-based starch holds a 61.9% share in the By Source segment of the Starch Market in 2024, driven by its abundant global supply, cost-effectiveness, and high starch yield. The Food Industry dominates the By Application segment of the Starch Market in 2024 with a 47.4% share, driven by starch’s role as a thickener, stabilizer, bulking agent, and moisture-retention component.

Key Takeaways

• The Global Starch Market is expected to be worth around USD 97.6 billion by 2034, up from USD 56.5 billion in 2024, and grow at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2025 to 2034.
• Modified starch holds a 56.3% share, driven by its stability and functionality in processed applications.
• Corn remains the dominant source in the starch market, contributing 61.9% due to high yield efficiency.
• The food industry leads starch application at 47.4%, fueled by demand for clean-label thickeners and stabilizers.
• North America’s starch market reached USD 33.5 billion due to industrial and food applications.

How Growth is Impacting the Economy

• The Starch Market’s growth significantly influences global economies. In North America, particularly the U.S., large-scale corn production supports job creation in agriculture, processing, and export sectors, bolstering rural economies. The USD 33.5 billion market fuels industrial output, with food processing and manufacturing sectors driving employment and innovation. In Europe, starch’s role in pharmaceuticals and biodegradable packaging supports sustainable economic practices, aligning with green initiatives.
• Asia Pacific’s rising demand, driven by urbanization and ready-to-eat meal consumption, stimulates manufacturing and retail, creating jobs and infrastructure investments. Emerging markets like the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America contribute to economic diversification through expanding food and textile sectors, though limited infrastructure poses challenges. Overall, the starch market’s expansion fosters economic resilience, trade growth, and sustainable development across diverse regions.

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Strategies for Businesses

• Businesses in the starch market should focus on innovation and sustainability to capitalize on growth. Investing in R&D for modified starch with enhanced functional properties can meet diverse industrial needs. Expanding into emerging markets like the Middle East and Latin America, despite infrastructure challenges, offers long-term growth potential.
• Adopting sustainable sourcing, particularly corn-based starch, aligns with consumer demand for eco-friendly products. Strengthening supply chains through partnerships with local farmers ensures raw material stability. Leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies, like corn wet milling, enhances efficiency and product quality. Finally, targeting food industry trends, such as gluten-free and plant-based products, can capture evolving consumer preferences and drive market share.

Report Scope

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Key Market Segments

By Starch Type Analysis

• Modified Starch commands a 56.3% market share in 2024, driven by its versatility and widespread industrial applications. Its dominance in the Starch Market’s By Starch Type segment stems from enhanced functional properties, including superior stability, thickening efficiency, and resilience to heat, acid, and shear. These attributes make it ideal for diverse uses, particularly in the food and beverage industry, where it ensures precise texture, moisture retention, and extended shelf life.
• Beyond food, modified starch is integral to paper production, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction as a binder, coating, or sizing agent. Its tailored chemical or physical modifications outperform native starch in high-performance processes, bolstered by robust demand from industrial sectors in manufacturing hubs. Regulatory approval for food-grade applications further cements its market leadership, with growing demand for multifunctional, cost-effective solutions sustaining its dominance.

By Source Analysis

• Corn-based starch holds a 61.9% share in the By Source segment of the Starch Market in 2024, driven by its abundant global supply, cost-effectiveness, and high starch yield. Its versatility supports applications in food processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and paper industries, where it excels as a thickener, binder, and moisture-retaining agent. In food, corn starch is vital for bakery, confectionery, and ready-to-eat products, meeting large-scale production needs.
• Extensive cultivation in major agricultural economies ensures a reliable supply, while advancements in wet milling and refining technologies enhance production efficiency and quality. Robust infrastructure for corn procurement and processing strengthens its supply chain, and its adaptability and affordability maintain its strategic edge in both industrial and consumer markets, securing its leading position.

By Application Analysis

• The Food Industry dominates the By Application segment of the Starch Market in 2024 with a 47.4% share, driven by starch’s role as a thickener, stabilizer, bulking agent, and moisture-retention component. It is essential in processed foods, bakery, dairy, sauces, and ready-to-eat meals, enhancing texture, consistency, and shelf stability.
• Rising demand for convenient, packaged foods fuels its use in functional and clean-label formulations, while its compatibility with gluten-free and plant-based trends aligns with evolving consumer preferences. Starch’s neutral taste, digestibility, and versatility support both traditional and modern food processing. Expanding food production in developing economies and growing global consumption of processed foods further drive demand.

Regional Analysis

• North America led the global starch market in 2024, capturing a 59.4% share valued at USD 33.5 billion. This dominance is fueled by strong demand from the food processing and industrial sectors, bolstered by advanced manufacturing infrastructure and high consumption of processed and convenience foods. The U.S. drives this leadership, leveraging its extensive corn production to support both domestic needs and starch product exports.
• Europe exhibits consistent growth, driven by widespread use in pharmaceuticals, paper production, and biodegradable packaging. In Asia Pacific, rising demand stems from population growth, urbanization, and increased consumption of ready-to-eat meals, though it trails North America in market share.
• The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are emerging markets, showing growing interest in food processing and textiles. However, limited infrastructure and raw material availability temper their growth. Across all regions, demand for starch continues to rise across diverse applications.

Recent Developments

1. Cargill Incorporated

• Cargill has expanded its modified starch portfolio with new clean-label solutions for food and industrial applications. The company recently launched waxy wheat starch, offering improved texture and stability in bakery and dairy products. Cargill is also investing in sustainable starch production to reduce environmental impact. Their innovations focus on non-GMO and plant-based starch alternatives.

2. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)

• ADM has introduced next-generation starch-based texturizers for plant-based meat alternatives. They also enhanced their Evolve tapioca starch line, improving functionality in gluten-free and low-fat foods. ADM is expanding production capacity in Asia to meet growing demand for bio-based and specialty starches.

3. Ingredion Incorporated

• Ingredion launched NOUVELLE functional starch, designed for better freeze-thaw stability in frozen foods. They also partnered with food tech startups to develop starch-based alternatives for plastic packaging. Their sustainability efforts include water-efficient starch processing technologies.

4. Grain Processing Corporation (GPC, a subsidiary of Kent Corporation)

• GPC introduced ultra-pure potato starch for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. They also expanded their resistant starch offerings for digestive health products. GPC is optimizing energy-efficient starch extraction methods to reduce the carbon footprint.

5. MGP Ingredients, Inc.

• MGP has developed high-protein wheat starch for sports nutrition and protein-enriched foods. Their Fibersym resistant starch is gaining traction in low-carb and diabetic-friendly products. The company is also investing in upcycled starch ingredients from fermentation byproducts.

Conclusion

The Global Starch Market is on a strong growth path. This expansion is driven by rising demand from food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable packaging industries, as starch remains a versatile, natural, and cost-effective ingredient. Key trends like clean-label products, plant-based alternatives, and bio-based materials are shaping the market, while innovations in modified and resistant starches open new opportunities. Companies are investing in sustainable production and functional starches to meet consumer and industrial needs.

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