[Introduction] Corn starch exports in July 2025 saw a slight increase compared to June, but the increase was limited, and showed a significant decline compared to the period from February to May. This was primarily due to persistently high domestic raw material corn costs, exacerbating industry losses. Major companies passed on these costs and losses by raising corn starch prices, gradually losing their export advantage and leading to a decline in corn starch exports from June to July. Cumulative corn starch exports from January to July 2025 reached 133,009.66 tons, a year-on-year increase of 10,596.36%.
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, China's corn starch exports in July 2025 reached 15,939 tons, valued at US$6,317,485. This represents a 9.95% increase month-on-month and an 8,999.33% increase year-on-year. The average export price was US$396.35 per ton, up 2.10% month-on-month and down 58.09% year-on-year. The export volume increased by 10596.36% compared with the same period last year. Since the beginning of 2025, with the return to normal of corn starch export policy, it has been conducive to reducing the current situation of "involution" in the country and alleviating the pressure of domestic overcapacity. In July, the export volume of corn starch increased slightly from June, but the increase was limited, and it showed a significant decrease compared with February to May. The main reason is that the cost pressure of domestic raw material corn remains high and the pressure of industry losses has increased. Major companies have passed on the cost and loss pressure by raising the price of corn starch. The export advantage of corn starch has gradually been lost, resulting in a decline in corn starch exports from June to July. The cumulative export volume of corn starch from January to July 2025 was 133,009.66 tons, and the cumulative export volume increased by 10596.36% year-on-year.
Southeast Asian countries remain the primary export destinations for corn starch exports in July 2025, broken down by trading partners. The Philippines leads the way in terms of export volume, with 6,649 tons, accounting for 41.72% of the total. Thailand follows with 2,425 tons, or 15.21%, followed by Indonesia with 17,766 tons, or 11.08%, and Malaysia with 12,180 tons, or 7.64%. Peru and Vietnam rank fifth and sixth, respectively, with 3.33% and 3.18% of the total. Other trading partners hold relatively small shares. Breaking down corn starch exports by trading partners from January to July 2025, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand are the top three exporters, accounting for 31.65%, 26.78%, and 10.54%, respectively. Analysis of changes in export trading partners from January to July indicates a gradual diversification of corn starch exports, with regions such as Africa and Latin America emerging as new growth engines. Among them, the export volume to Nigeria, Ghana, Peru and other countries has gradually begun to increase.
China is currently the world's largest producer and consumer of corn starch. After years of high-quality development, domestic corn starch has seen comprehensive improvements in quality, price, and service. With corn starch exports returning to normal, this will help alleviate the pressure of domestic overcapacity and promote the healthy and sustainable development of the industry. However, since February of this year, low cassava starch prices in Southeast Asian countries have had a certain inhibitory effect on China's corn starch exports.
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, China's corn starch imports in July 2025 reached 1,003.20 tons, valued at US$846,123. This represents a month-on-month increase of 124.50% and a year-on-year increase of 283.66%. The average import price was US$843.42 per ton, a month-on-month decrease of 30.30% and a year-on-year decrease of 53.24%. Cumulative imports increased by 84.11% compared to the same period last year. The top three countries in terms of corn starch imports in June 2025 were Ukraine, Italy, and the United States. Cumulative corn starch imports from January to July 2025 reached 2,686.86 tons, an 84.11% year-on-year increase. By trading partner, Ukraine, the United States, and Mexico were the top three importers of corn starch from January to July 2025.
Due to persistently high import prices, which offer no competitive advantage over domestic corn starch prices, corn starch imports have remained low. With leading domestic corn starch companies actively improving product quality and upgrading their services in recent years, they have fully met the customized needs of various downstream customers, resulting in a weakening demand for imported corn starch.
As China currently has the highest corn starch production in the world, its reliance on imports is very low. Due to the relatively small import volume, imports have little practical impact on the domestic corn starch market.
Source: Zhuo Chuang Information)