In a world starch market of approximately 75 million tonnes, the EU produces 11 million tonnes. The USA and China are the world’s largest starch producers, followed by the EU and Thailand. Brazil is also growing in importance as a starch producer.

For many starch products, these third countries are in a position to produce starch at more competitive prices than the EU. This is partly the result of lower raw material and production costs and partly as a result of less stringent, for example, environmental legislation. As such, in order to maintain the competitiveness of the EU starch industry, a number ofstarch products imported from many third countries are subject to an EU import duty.

For other starch products and co-products, for example potato starch and wheat gluten, the EU is the world’s biggest and/or highest quality producer and its products are widely exported throughout the world. For these products Starch Europe seeks to ensure that fair market access is assured.

Starch Europe therefore takes a keen interest in the EU’s trade policy agenda,  including the EU bilateral FTA negotiations with various third countries and/or regions.