Summary

The starch market in Saudi Arabia has witnessed steady growth in recent years, reflecting the country's expanding food processing and industrial sectors. Starch, a versatile carbohydrate derived primarily from sources such as corn, wheat, and potatoes, plays a crucial role in various industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. In Saudi Arabia, the increasing demand for processed foods, confectionery, and bakery products has driven the consumption of starch-based ingredients. Additionally, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries in the country also rely on starch for its binding and thickening properties. With a growing population and changing consumer preferences, the Saudi Arabian starch market is expected to continue its upward trajectory, providing opportunities for both domestic and international starch manufacturers to cater to the evolving needs of the market. However, it's essential to note that market dynamics may be influenced by factors such as government regulations, regional economic conditions, and global starch supply trends.

According to the research report "Saudi Arabia Starch Market Overview, 2028," published by Bonafide Research, the Saudi Arabia Starch market was valued at around 325 Million by 2022. Starch powder manufacturing sites in Saudi Arabia are strategically located to serve the burgeoning demand within the country and the wider Middle East region. These facilities are equipped with advanced technology and adhere to stringent quality standards to produce starch powder from various sources like corn, wheat, and potatoes. Key manufacturing hubs are situated in industrial cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, benefiting from excellent infrastructure and transportation links for both domestic distribution and international export. Saudi Arabia's starch manufacturers are continuously investing in research and development to improve product quality, reduce production costs, and ensure environmental sustainability. With a growing emphasis on food processing, pharmaceuticals, and other starch-dependent industries, these manufacturing sites are poised to play a pivotal role in meeting the region's starch-related needs while contributing to the country's economic diversification efforts.


The consumption of starch in Saudi Arabia is estimated to be around 100,000 metric tons per year. This is based on the country's population of over 34 million people and the average consumption of starch powder per person, which is around 3 kilograms per year. The starch market in Saudi Arabia is experiencing robust growth, driven by a confluence of factors. The country's expanding food processing industry coupled with a growing population and changing consumer preferences, has led to an increased demand for starch-based ingredients. Starch, derived from sources like corn, wheat, and potatoes, serves as a fundamental component in various food products, including bakery items, confectioneries, and processed foods. Additionally, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors also rely on starch for its versatility and utility in product formulations. Moreover, Saudi Arabia's commitment to economic diversification and the development of non-oil industries has further accelerated the growth of the starch market, creating opportunities for both domestic production and imports. As the country continues to invest in its industrial infrastructure and technology, the Saudi Arabian starch market is expected to maintain its upward trajectory, making it an attractive sector for businesses looking to capitalize on this thriving market.

The Saudi Arabia starch market exhibits a notable segmentation based on the types of starch, primarily categorized as native and derivatives of starch. Currently, derivatives of starch occupy a dominant position in the market. This segment's prominence can be attributed to the versatility and wide range of applications of starch derivatives in various industries, including food processing, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Starch derivatives are valued for their enhanced functionalities, such as improved stability, texture, and thickening properties, making them a preferred choice for manufacturers looking to enhance product quality. However, the native type of starch is poised for substantial growth in the near future. As consumers in Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East region become increasingly health-conscious and demand cleaner-label and natural products, the native starch segment is expected to gain traction. Native starch, being less processed and closer to its natural form, aligns well with the clean-label trend and can cater to the needs of health-conscious consumers.

In the Saudi Arabia starch market, derivatives of starch are further categorized into several types, including Glucose syrup, Modified starch, hydrolysates, Maltodextrin, and cyclodextrin. Among these categories, Glucose syrup takes the lead by holding the largest market share, followed by Modified starch and other types. Glucose syrup, with its diverse range of applications, stands as the dominant category in the Saudi Arabia starch market. It is widely used in the food and beverage industry as a sweetening agent, texturizer, and for its ability to control crystallization in confectionery products. Additionally, Glucose syrup is a key ingredient in the production of various processed foods and beverages, making it a staple in the Saudi Arabia food manufacturing sector. Modified starch is the second-largest category, following closely behind Glucose syrup. Modified starches are highly versatile and find applications across multiple industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. They are valued for their ability to enhance texture, stability, and consistency in a wide range of products. This adaptability has contributed to Modified starch's substantial market share in Saudi Arabia. Other types of starch derivatives, such as hydrolysates, Maltodextrin, and cyclodextrin, also play essential roles in various sectors. Hydrolysates, for instance, are utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for their solubility and digestibility properties. Maltodextrin is prized in the food industry as a filler, thickener, and bulking agent. Cyclodextrin has applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to its ability to encapsulate and stabilize active ingredients. In conclusion, the Saudi Arabia starch market's derivatives segment showcases a diverse range of starch-based products, each catering to specific industry needs. While Glucose syrup takes the lead in terms of market share, Modified starch and other starch types also play crucial roles, demonstrating the adaptability and versatility of starch-based derivatives across various sectors in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabia starch market displays segmentation based on the source of starch production, encompassing a diverse range of sources such as corn, cassava/tapioca, wheat, potatoes, waxy maize, and others like pregelatinized starch, rice bran, sweet potato, and pea. Among these sources, corn stands out as the dominant player in the market. This dominance is primarily attributed to the extensive use of corn starch in a wide array of applications, including food processing, beverage production, and various industrial processes. Corn starch is prized for its versatility and cost-effectiveness, making it a preferred choice for manufacturers. However, it is crucial to note that other sources also make significant contributions to the overall growth of the Saudi Arabia starch market. Cassava/tapioca, wheat, potatoes, and waxy maize all play pivotal roles in catering to the diverse needs of the region's food and industrial sectors. These alternative sources offer unique properties and functionalities that appeal to specific market segments, ensuring a well-rounded and diverse starch market.

Indeed, applications are pivotal in shaping the Saudi Arabia starch market, as they determine the demand and utilization of starch-based products. The market is notably segmented into several sectors, each with its unique requirements and preferences. These sectors include food and beverage, industrial, weaving & textile, animal feed, paper industry, pharmaceuticals & cosmetics, and others, such as adhesives and foundry applications. Among these sectors, the food and beverage industry takes the lead as the dominant force in the Saudi Arabia starch market. This is not surprising given the widespread use of starch in food products, where it serves as a key ingredient for thickening, stabilizing, and enhancing texture. Starch is commonly found in various food items, including baked goods, sauces, soups, and dairy products. As consumer preferences evolve and the demand for processed and convenience foods grows, the food and beverage sector continues to drive substantial demand for starch-based products. The paper industry benefits from starch's role as a binder and coating agent, enhancing paper quality. In pharmaceuticals & cosmetics, starch is prized for its applications in drug formulations and cosmetic products, where it acts as a binder, thickener, or filler.

The Saudi Arabia starch market is characterized by the remarkable versatility of starch-based products, which serve as indispensable ingredients across various industries. Starch plays multifaceted roles in these sectors, including its functions as a thickening agent, stabilizing agent, binding agent, gelling agent, film-forming agent, and emulsifying agent. Among these versatile applications, the role of starch as a thickening agent takes the lead in dominating the market. Thickening agents are crucial in enhancing the texture and viscosity of a wide array of products, ranging from soups and sauces to desserts and processed foods. This primary role of starch ensures its high demand in the food and beverage sector, where consumers consistently seek products with desirable textures and consistencies. Following closely behind is its role as a stabilizing agent. Stabilizers are vital for maintaining the integrity and consistency of products, especially in the food industry. Starch, with its ability to prevent phase separation and maintain uniformity in various formulations, is widely utilized to enhance product stability and shelf life. Additionally, starch's film-forming properties are valuable in packaging materials and coatings, enhancing product freshness and protection. Finally, starch acts as an emulsifying agent, assisting in the homogenization of ingredients in various formulations.

Considered in this report:
• Geography: Saudi Arabia
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report:
• Saudi Arabia Starch market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type:
• Native
• Derivative
• Glucose syrup
• Modified
• hydrolysates
• Maltodextrin
• cyclodextrin

By Source:
• Corn
• Cassava/Tapioca
• Wheat
• Potatoes
• waxy Maize
• Others (Waxy Maize, Pregelatinized Starch, Rice Bran, Sweet potato, Pea etc)

By Application:
• Food and Beverage
• Industrial
• Weaving & textile
• Animal Feed
• Paper Industry
• Pharmaceuticals & cosmetics
• Others (adhesives, foundry)

By Function:
• Thickening Agent
• Stabilizing Agent
• Binding Agent
• Gelling Agent
• Film-Forming Agent
• Emulsifying Agent

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, and annual reports of companies, analyzing the government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers into regional aspects, tier aspects, age groups, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience:
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to the Starch Market industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.

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