Brazil’s Tapioca Starch Trade: Imports and Exports

Brazil has established itself as a prominent player in the global tapioca starch market, leveraging its robust export capabilities and emerging import demand.

Brazil’s Tapioca Starch Exports

In 2021, Brazil proudly exported a total of $26.4 million worth of tapioca starch, securing its position as the fifth-largest exporter of this vital product worldwide.

Brazil’s Tapioca Starch Exports

The United States emerged as the primary destination for Brazil’s tapioca starch exports in 2021, with imports amounting to an impressive $12.1 million. Paraguay and South Africa followed closely, importing $2.74 million and $2.09 million worth of tapioca starch, respectively. Spain and the Netherlands also featured prominently, importing $1.56 million and $1.26 million, respectively, from Brazil.

Brazil’s tapioca starch exports experienced substantial growth between 2020 and 2021, with the United States leading the charge with an impressive $7.88 million increase in imports. Paraguay and South Africa also demonstrated remarkable growth during this period, recording increments of $2.55 million and $1.71 million, respectively.

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaAngola2,884
AfricaCentral African Republic820
AfricaAlgeria163,070
AfricaLiberia15
AfricaMozambique85,997
AfricaNigeria9,894
AfricaRwanda44
AfricaSenegal24,000
AfricaSouth Africa2,094,056
AsiaUnited Arab Emirates6,898
AsiaChina38,487
AsiaHong Kong479
AsiaIndia18,728
AsiaIsrael25,571
AsiaJapan9,563
AsiaSri Lanka22,092
AsiaMalaysia4,196
AsiaSingapore65,978
AsiaThailand84,551
EuropeAustria17
EuropeBelgium170,410
EuropeSwitzerland23,688
EuropeCzechia1,508
EuropeGermany56,965
EuropeSpain1,563,386
EuropeFinland15,183
EuropeFrance98,367
EuropeUnited Kingdom446,398
EuropeIreland17,513
EuropeItaly33,846
EuropeLuxembourg7,626
EuropeNetherlands1,261,089
EuropePoland859
EuropePortugal959,016
EuropeRussia33,539
EuropeSerbia177
EuropeSlovakia2,143
EuropeSweden616
EuropeUkraine297
North AmericaBahamas13
North AmericaCanada430,520
North AmericaDominican Republic77,670
North AmericaGuatemala32,343
North AmericaMexico212,630
North AmericaPanama78,382
North AmericaEl Salvador4,429
North AmericaUnited States12,052,727
OceaniaAustralia10,192
OceaniaMarshall Islands44
OceaniaNew Zealand977
South AmericaArgentina298,784
South AmericaBolivia1,247,350
South AmericaChile432,093
South AmericaColombia681,712
South AmericaEcuador131,575
South AmericaGuyana12,885
South AmericaPeru57,046
South AmericaParaguay2,741,702
South AmericaSuriname18,202
South AmericaUruguay177,863
South AmericaVenezuela364,838
Table: Where Does Brazil Export Its Tapioca Starch (2021)

Brazil’s Tapioca Starch Imports

In 2021, Brazil imported $27.1 thousand worth of tapioca starch, positioning the country as the 105th largest importer of this versatile product on a global scale.

Among Brazil’s primary import sources, Austria took the lead with exports valued at $13.1 thousand. The United States and Germany also played significant roles in supplying tapioca starch, contributing $6.82 thousand and $2.05 thousand, respectively. Chile and Chinese Taipei added to the diversity of imports with exports worth $1.72 thousand and $1.68 thousand, respectively.

During the period between 2020 and 2021, Brazil witnessed noteworthy growth in tapioca starch imports, with Chile leading the charge with an impressive $1.72 thousand surge in exports. Hungary and Chinese Taipei also experienced considerable growth, boasting increments of $1.56 thousand and $1.45 thousand, respectively.

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AsiaThailand182
AsiaChinese Taipei1,683
EuropeAustria13,068
EuropeGermany2,053
EuropeHungary1,557
North AmericaUnited States6,818
South AmericaChile1,719
Table: Where Does Brazil Import Its Tapioca Starch (2021)

Navigating Tariffs

As of 2017, Brazil’s average tariff rate for tapioca starch stood at 9.52%. Notably, several countries imposed higher import tariffs, with Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana applying a Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment of 10%.

Brazil’s prominent position as both an exporter and an emerging importer of tapioca starch underscores its active participation in the global marketplace. As the demand for tapioca starch continues to evolve, Brazil’s traders and policymakers will navigate the intricate trade landscape, seeking new opportunities and fostering sustainable growth in this vital industry.

Data from BACI and General Statistics Office of Vietnam