Tapioca Starch Monthly Update 2025-12

The Thai Department of Foreign Trade is intensifying efforts to promote cassava exports to Japan, focusing on high-value processed products such as tapioca pearls, modified tapioca starch, and premium tapioca starch to meet ongoing demand in the Japanese livestock and consumer industries. A delegation comprising government, academic, and private sector representatives will visit Tokyo in February 2016 to explore new trading opportunities and diversify export markets beyond the current major buyers. In 2015, Thailand exported 394,742 tons of cassava to Japan, valued at 261.64 million USD, with processed tapioca starch accounting for over 84% of the export value. Thai cassava’s qualities—non-GMO, gluten-free, and high production standards—align well with Japan’s consumer safety priorities, positioning it as a premium industrial raw material. The government aims to enhance the competitiveness of Thai agricultural products in global markets, boosting farmer incomes and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Goiás has experienced an 83% increase in the Gross Production Value (GPV) of cassava, rising from R$116.7 million in 2016 to R$213 million in 2025, surpassing national growth rates. Cassava production volume grew by 15.3% to 194.4 tons, supported by an 18.3% expansion in planted area between 2020 and 2025. This growth reflects the consolidation of cassava cultivation across Goiás and the strengthening of its production chain through industrialization. Public investments in family farming, particularly the Mobile Flour and Tapioca Factory program and the Food Acquisition Program (PAA), have been key drivers in expanding processing and distribution, according to Goiás Department of Agriculture analysis.

The global native starch market is set for steady growth through 2033, fueled primarily by rising demand in the food processing sector and increasing consumer preference for natural, minimally processed ingredients. Asia Pacific leads the market due to strong agricultural output and expanding food manufacturing, while North America and Europe show steady growth driven by clean-label trends and sustainability regulations. Native starch’s multifunctionality and cost efficiency support its use across food, packaging, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, with innovations in extraction technology and digital supply chain management enhancing quality and supply stability. Sustainability initiatives and regulatory emphasis on biodegradable, plant-based materials are further propelling market expansion, positioning native starch as a key renewable resource in both food and industrial applications.

The Government of Bahia has announced a R$ 50.2 million investment through the 2nd Centralized Public Call of the National School Feeding Program (PNAE) to purchase food from family farmers across 27 Identity Territories. This initiative, led by the Secretariat of Agriculture and partnered with the Secretariat of Rural Development and Education, aims to strengthen local production and enhance food security by expanding the variety of products supplied to schools from six to sixteen items. Key products include coffee, cassava, beans, dairy, tilapia, honey, and lamb meat. The introduction of the Rural Quotation System Bahia, a digital platform, improves transparency and efficiency by providing detailed supplier and product information, facilitating public procurement. This effort underscores Bahia's commitment to integrating family agriculture into institutional food supply and sustainable development strategies.