Tapioca starch, a popular ingredient used in various industries, plays a significant role in Colombia’s international trade.
Export Market Overview
In 2021, Colombia’s tapioca starch exports reached $540,000, positioning the country as the 23rd largest exporter of this product worldwide. However, within Colombia itself, tapioca starch ranked 1178th among the most exported goods.
Colombia’s primary export destinations for tapioca starch are as follows: Venezuela, which accounted for $164,000 worth of exports, Panama with $117,000, Chile with $91,000, the United States with $69.4,000, and Ecuador with $54,500.
These countries represent the core customer base for Colombia’s tapioca starch, demonstrating its importance in Latin America and beyond.
Fastest Growing Export Markets
Between 2020 and 2021, Colombia witnessed notable growth in its export of tapioca starch to specific countries. The fastest-growing markets during this period were Venezuela, experiencing an increase of $88,400, followed by Ecuador with $24,800, and Italy with $9,260. These figures highlight the expanding demand and market potential for Colombian tapioca starch in these regions.
| Continent | Country | Trade Value |
| Europe | Switzerland | 15 |
| Europe | Spain | 7,651 |
| Europe | United Kingdom | 6,161 |
| Europe | Italy | 9,256 |
| North America | Aruba | 1,123 |
| North America | Canada | 16,727 |
| North America | Curaçao | 214 |
| North America | Mexico | 3,075 |
| North America | Panama | 116,736 |
| North America | United States | 69,446 |
| South America | Chile | 90,950 |
| South America | Ecuador | 54,466 |
| South America | Venezuela | 164,349 |
Import Market Overview
Colombia’s tapioca starch imports reached a value of $2.24 million in 2021, positioning the country as the 32nd largest importer of this product globally. However, within Colombia, tapioca starch ranked 1912th among the most imported goods.
Paraguay was the largest supplier to Colombia, accounting for $1.25 million worth of imports. Brazil followed with $682,000, Nicaragua with $309,000, Thailand with $3,080, and Peru with $623. These countries play a crucial role in meeting Colombia’s tapioca starch demand.
Fastest Growing Import Markets
In terms of imports, Colombia experienced substantial growth in tapioca starch from select markets between 2020 and 2021. Nicaragua witnessed a significant increase of $34,400, making it the fastest-growing import market for tapioca starch. Brazil followed suit with an increase of $1,190, and Peru with $623. These figures indicate the rising reliance on tapioca starch imports from these countries to fulfill Colombia’s requirements.
| Continent | Country | Trade Value |
| Asia | Thailand | 3,076 |
| North America | Nicaragua | 309,268 |
| South America | Brazil | 681,712 |
| South America | Peru | 623 |
| South America | Paraguay | 1,249,460 |
Tariffs on Tapioca Starch
Examining the tariff landscape, Colombia imposed an average tariff of 9.51% on tapioca starch imports in 2018. Several countries implemented higher import tariffs for this product, including Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana, all of which levied a 10% Most Favoured Nation duty rate treatment. These tariffs contribute to the overall trade dynamics and impact the cost of tapioca starch imported into Colombia.
Data from BACI