The Tapioca Starch Trade of the United States: Exports and Imports

The United States played a prominent role in the global tapioca starch market in 2021, both as an exporter and importer.

The United States’ Tapioca Starch Exports

In 2021, the United States exported a substantial amount of tapioca starch, totaling $2.68M. This export figure positioned the United States as the 13th largest exporter of tapioca starch globally. Although tapioca starch ranked as the 3877th most exported product from the United States, the export value underscores the nation’s active participation in the global market.

Canada emerged as the primary destination for the United States’ tapioca starch exports, accounting for the majority of the exports with a value of $2.17M. Germany, Thailand, Mexico, and Argentina were also significant importers of tapioca starch from the United States, albeit on a smaller scale.

The United States experienced noteworthy growth in its export markets for tapioca starch between 2020 and 2021, primarily driven by increased exports to Canada, Germany, and Ecuador. Canada witnessed a remarkable surge, contributing to $1.65M of the export growth, while Germany and Ecuador exhibited growth of $93.2k and $31.2k, respectively.

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaCameroon10,025
AfricaKenya3,967
AfricaNigeria849
AfricaSeychelles16
AsiaBangladesh5,215
AsiaChina131
AsiaSouth Korea18
AsiaSri Lanka11,812
AsiaPhilippines1,144
AsiaSaudi Arabia9,235
AsiaSingapore4,895
AsiaThailand67,641
EuropeAustria144
EuropeBelgium1,060
EuropeCzechia2,343
EuropeGermany152,818
EuropeDenmark9
EuropeSpain7,121
EuropeFinland31
EuropeFrance3
EuropeUnited Kingdom2,646
EuropeIreland3,341
EuropeIceland342
EuropeMalta402
EuropeNetherlands32,922
EuropeNorway3,226
EuropePoland561
EuropeRussia6,482
EuropeSweden929
North AmericaAruba274
North AmericaBelize38
North AmericaBermuda1,059
North AmericaBarbados49
North AmericaCanada2,169,462
North AmericaCosta Rica338
North AmericaDominican Republic4,513
North AmericaGrenada231
North AmericaHonduras109
North AmericaMexico67,004
North AmericaPanama9,369
North AmericaTrinidad and Tobago26
OceaniaAustralia10,432
South AmericaArgentina49,032
South AmericaBrazil6,818
South AmericaChile199
South AmericaEcuador31,209
Table: Where Does the United States Export Its Tapioca Starch (2021)

The United States’ Tapioca Starch Imports

In 2021, the United States imported a substantial quantity of tapioca starch, amounting to $92.3M. This import figure secured the United States’ position as the 3rd largest importer of tapioca starch globally. While tapioca starch ranked as the 2048th most imported product in the United States, the import value highlights the nation’s reliance on international sources to meet domestic demand.

United States’ Tapioca Starch Imports

Thailand emerged as the primary source of tapioca starch imports for the United States, contributing imports valued at $60.4M. Brazil, Paraguay, Vietnam, and India were also significant contributors to the United States’ tapioca starch imports, with respective import values of $12.1M, $10.6M, $2.1M, and $1.67M.

The United States witnessed substantial growth in its import markets for tapioca starch between 2020 and 2021, primarily driven by increased imports from Paraguay, Brazil, and Thailand. Paraguay displayed exceptional growth, contributing to imports valued at $10.3M, while Brazil and Thailand exhibited import growth of $7.88M and $3.41M, respectively.

ContinentCountryTrade Value
AfricaBenin12,630
AfricaCote d’Ivoire20,402
AfricaCameroon14,941
AfricaGhana122,971
AfricaGuinea10,105
AfricaKenya1,000
AfricaNigeria66,711
AfricaRwanda139,419
AfricaTanzania484
AfricaZambia34,353
AsiaChina42,192
AsiaHong Kong6,427
AsiaIndonesia1,051,517
AsiaIndia1,666,001
AsiaCambodia234,578
AsiaSouth Korea183
AsiaPakistan17,991
AsiaThailand60,399,584
AsiaVietnam2,104,752
AsiaChinese Taipei282,063
EuropeAustria89,910
EuropeGermany1,193,725
EuropeUnited Kingdom1,210
EuropeNetherlands121,094
North AmericaCanada514,584
North AmericaDominican Republic24,587
North AmericaJamaica5,073
North AmericaMexico2,329
North AmericaNicaragua1,331,937
OceaniaFiji63,097
OceaniaTonga4,012
South AmericaBrazil12,052,727
South AmericaColombia69,446
South AmericaEcuador11,768
South AmericaParaguay10,589,124
Table: Where Does the United States Import Its Tapioca Starch (2021)

Importing Tapioca Starch from Vietnam

Vietnam has emerged as a prominent supplier of tapioca starch to the United States market. In 2021, the total value of tapioca starch imports from Vietnam reached an impressive $2,104,752, indicating Vietnam’s strong position and its potential to maintain its presence in the United States. The sustained importation is primarily due to the superior quality and competitive pricing of Vietnam’s tapioca starch.

The United States benefits from Vietnam’s tapioca starch exports, which provide a dependable supply of this essential ingredient. The substantial import value reflects the United States’ confidence in Vietnam as a trusted and preferred partner for meeting its tapioca starch needs. Vietnam’s tapioca starch consistently meets the United States’ demand due to its reliable quality and competitive pricing.

Source: BACI and General Statistics Office of Vietnam