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The MEA region, with its arid climate and growing interest in sustainable infrastructure, is also a potential beneficiary of recent innovations like ultra-white starch films that reflect solar radiation, helping to reduce indoor temperatures without energy consumption. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the regional market, with Saudi Arabia alone contributing more than 30% to the MEA starch industry. Multinational corporations are investing in research to develop starches with enhanced thermal and acidic stability, longer shelf life, and improved biodegradability.This report comes with 10% free customization, enabling you to add data that meets your specific business needs.
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For example, Ingredion has expanded its non-GMO and organic product lines to cater to growing MEA demand, while Cargill and Tate & Lyle have introduced starch derivatives aimed at improving performance in extreme industrial conditions. These advancements not only increase processing efficiency but also support MEA governments’ environmental goals. Many starch manufacturers in the region are also moving toward circular economy models using agricultural waste for energy generation or producing animal feed from starch-processing by-products. Such sustainable practices are gaining attention, especially with national visions like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Green Agenda, which emphasize industrial diversification and sustainable resource use. In Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, harmonization with European Union food safety and packaging regulations is driving increased quality control and traceability in starch production and usage. African countries, supported by organizations such as the African Union and the African Development Bank, are also improving regulatory oversight and investing in infrastructure to reduce dependency on starch imports. However, regulatory inconsistencies, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, still pose a barrier to unified market growth. Nevertheless, initiatives to develop regional value chains and bolster local agriculture are creating pathways for future self-sufficiency in starch supply.
According to the research report "Middle East and Africa Industrial Starch Market Outlook, 2030,", the Middle East and Africa Industrial Starch market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 6.50 Billion by 2030. Consumers in urban centers like Dubai, Riyadh, and Johannesburg are becoming more aware of product content, driving manufacturers to reduce artificial additives and adopt naturally derived ingredients such as native and modified starches. This trend is also reinforced by the growing demand for gluten-free and allergen-free alternatives, for which starch-based thickeners and binders are ideal substitutes.
Additionally, the textile sector uses starch in fabric sizing and finishing processes, and local growth in textile manufacturing in countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, and Morocco is further amplifying starch demand. For example, small and mid-sized processors in Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria are tapping into domestic maize and cassava production to serve nearby food and packaging industries. This localization strategy not only reduces costs but also mitigates the risks posed by international supply chain disruptions. Programs such as Nigeria’s Cassava Transformation Initiative have helped position the country as a potential exporter of industrial cassava starch. At the same time, investments in local starch production facilities are rising, including the establishment of modern starch processing plants in North Africa and parts of East Africa, aimed at meeting the growing needs of both domestic and export markets. Furthermore, in countries like South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya, where the paper and pulp industries are witnessing a revival due to increasing educational needs and online commerce, starch-based coatings and binders are becoming essential components for improving product strength and quality.
Market Drivers
- Expanding Food and Beverage Industry Due to Urbanization and Changing Lifestyles: The rapid pace of urbanization in countries across the Middle East and Africa such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa is leading to increased consumption of processed and convenience foods. Industrial starch is widely used in this sector as a thickening, stabilizing, and gelling agent in products like soups, sauces, baked goods, snacks, and dairy items. With rising disposable incomes and the growing influence of Western-style diets, the demand for starch-based additives is increasing. The food industry's expansion driven by a youthful population and rising middle class is a major force behind starch consumption in the MEA region.
- Increasing Demand from Paper, Textile, and Construction Sectors: Another significant driver is the growing utilization of starch in non-food industries such as paper, textiles, and construction. Industrial starch serves as a binder, coating agent, and adhesive in these sectors. The MEA region is witnessing infrastructure development and increased construction activity, particularly in GCC countries and North Africa, leading to higher demand for starch in building materials and adhesives. Moreover, the regional expansion of the textile industry, especially in North African nations like Egypt and Morocco, also contributes to increased starch usage for textile sizing and finishing applications.
Market Challenges
- Limited Local Production and High Dependence on Imports: One of the major challenges in the MEA industrial starch market is the limited capacity for local starch production. Many countries in the region lack the agricultural base and processing infrastructure required to produce starch at scale, especially from sources like corn or potatoes. As a result, there is a heavy reliance on imports from Europe, Asia, and North America, which exposes the market to risks such as price volatility, currency fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions. This dependency can limit cost competitiveness and hinder growth, particularly for small- and mid-sized enterprises.
- Inadequate Technological Advancement and R&D Investment: The industrial starch market in MEA is still in its developmental phase, with many local manufacturers lacking access to advanced processing technologies and R&D capabilities. This hampers the ability to produce high-performance modified or specialty starches that meet the evolving needs of sectors like pharmaceuticals, bioplastics, and advanced packaging. The absence of robust government support, industry-academia collaboration, and skilled labor also restricts innovation. Without modernization, it becomes difficult for regional players to compete with established global starch producers.
Market Trends
- Gradual Shift Toward Modified and Functional Starches: There is a noticeable trend in the MEA market toward the adoption of modified and functional starches, which offer improved performance in diverse industrial applications. As regional industries mature and demand more specialized input materials, modified starches are being used in dairy products, processed meats, and bakery items to improve texture, heat resistance, and shelf life. In non-food sectors, these starches help enhance product performance, especially in paper and construction materials. This shift is driving innovation and encouraging local players to explore product diversification.
- Growing Interest in Bio-based and Sustainable Solutions: Sustainability is slowly gaining momentum in the MEA region, with both governments and businesses showing interest in eco-friendly and bio-based solutions. Starch, being a renewable and biodegradable material, is becoming attractive for applications in packaging, biodegradable plastics, and natural adhesives. Countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in green technologies and circular economy initiatives, which could open up new opportunities for starch-based innovations. Although still in the early stages compared to more developed regions, this trend is expected to grow steadily over the coming years.
The rapid growth of cassava as a source in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) industrial starch industry is largely driven by the crop’s suitability for cultivation in the region’s challenging agro-climatic conditions and its role in reducing dependence on starch imports. Cassava is a drought-resistant root crop that thrives in low-fertility soils and requires minimal inputs compared to other starch sources like wheat or corn. This makes it particularly valuable in MEA countries where agricultural infrastructure is still developing and where water scarcity is a major issue. Governments and development agencies across the MEA region have increasingly recognized cassava’s potential to enhance food security and support local economies.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, which dominates cassava production in the MEA region, several initiatives have been launched to boost its processing and industrial use. These include partnerships between public institutions, international donors, and agro-processors to establish cassava starch plants, improve processing efficiency, and scale up output to meet both domestic and export demands. The MEA region’s food processing sector is expanding significantly due to rising urbanization and income levels, and cassava starch is becoming a critical ingredient in this evolution. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya are leading the charge in cassava production and its industrial transformation, while in the Middle East, countries such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia are increasing cassava starch imports or investing in regional supply chains to meet local demand. Additionally, cassava’s use in non-food industries like pharmaceuticals and biodegradable packaging is expanding, aligning with MEA’s gradual shift towards sustainability and industrial diversification.
Native starch is the largest product type in the MEA industrial starch industry due to its cost-effectiveness and widespread usage across traditional food processing and basic industrial applications.
The dominance of native starch in the MEA (Middle East and Africa) industrial starch industry is primarily attributed to its affordability, accessibility, and compatibility with a wide range of conventional uses, particularly in the region's rapidly expanding food and beverage sector. Native starch, which is the most basic form of starch extracted from sources like corn, cassava, and wheat without any chemical or physical modifications, serves as a fundamental ingredient in many staple food products.
In the MEA region, where much of the food processing sector is still developing and operates on cost-sensitive models, native starch offers an economically viable solution for thickening, stabilizing, binding, and moisture-retaining in products such as sauces, baked goods, snacks, and dairy items. Local manufacturers often prioritize affordability and simplicity, and native starch meets these needs effectively without requiring complex processing or regulatory compliance that modified starches might demand. The growing population, rising urbanization, and increased demand for processed and convenience foods are further fueling the demand for native starch. Additionally, the relatively limited technological infrastructure for advanced starch modification in many parts of MEA makes native starch the most accessible and scalable option. Industries such as paper, textiles, and adhesives also use native starch for its binding and finishing properties in basic applications where high-performance functionalities are not required. Moreover, in many African and Middle Eastern countries, there is a growing emphasis on boosting local agricultural outputs to reduce dependency on imports. This trend supports the use of regionally sourced raw materials like cassava and corn for native starch production, reinforcing its supply and cost advantage.
Pharmaceuticals is the largest application type in the MEA industrial starch industry due to the increasing demand for affordable excipients and binders in generic drug production across emerging healthcare markets in the region.
The pharmaceutical application segment holds the largest share in the MEA (Middle East and Africa) industrial starch industry primarily because of the growing reliance on starch-based excipients in the rapidly expanding generic medicines sector. Industrial starch, particularly in its native and modified forms, plays a vital role as a binder, disintegrant, filler, and stabilizer in pharmaceutical formulations such as tablets, capsules, and powders. As many MEA countries are prioritizing healthcare access and affordability, there has been a substantial increase in the production and distribution of generic drugs to meet the medical needs of large, underserved populations.
In this context, starch provides a low-cost, effective, and widely available solution for drug manufacturers looking to reduce production costs without compromising product quality. Nations like Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia have become key pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, supported by favorable government policies, growing local demand, and foreign investments. These countries are investing in local drug production infrastructure to reduce import dependency, which further fuels the demand for industrial starch as a critical raw material. Moreover, the pharmaceutical industry in MEA is being shaped by an increase in chronic diseases, population growth, and urbanization, which are all contributing to a higher consumption of medications. Starch is particularly valued in these formulations for its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and regulatory acceptance, making it ideal for both solid and liquid dosage forms. Additionally, many pharmaceutical companies operating in the MEA region prefer plant-based excipients like starch due to their neutral taste, safety profile, and compatibility with halal and other religious dietary guidelines that are significant in this region.
Saudi Arabia is leading in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) industrial starch industry due to its heavy investment in food processing, import substitution strategies, and expanding non-oil industrial sectors like paper, textiles, and packaging.
Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) industrial starch industry is primarily driven by the country’s strategic focus on diversifying its economy beyond oil through heavy investments in food processing, manufacturing, and other non-oil industries. With the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 framework prioritizing industrial development and self-sufficiency, the demand for industrial starch has significantly increased across key sectors. The food and beverage industry, in particular, has seen rapid expansion due to population growth, rising urbanization, and increased consumer spending on packaged and processed foods areas where starch is essential as a thickening, stabilizing, and texturizing agent.
As part of its food security and import substitution policies, Saudi Arabia has encouraged local production of food ingredients, including starches, to reduce reliance on imports and enhance domestic capabilities. Although the country’s agricultural output is limited due to arid conditions, it has compensated by investing in state-of-the-art starch processing facilities using imported raw materials like corn and potatoes, sourced efficiently through robust global trade links. The development of logistics hubs and industrial cities such as NEOM and the King Abdullah Economic City has also facilitated the efficient distribution and manufacturing of starch-based products. Furthermore, industrial starch is increasingly being used in the Kingdom’s growing paper, textile, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable packaging industries, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s push toward environmental sustainability and green manufacturing.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary5. Economic /Demographic Snapshot8. Strategic Recommendations10. Disclaimer
2. Market Dynamics
3. Research Methodology
4. Market Structure
6. Middle East & Africa Industrial Starch Market Outlook
7. Competitive Landscape
9. Annexure
List of Figures
List of Tables