TOP5 citric acid products sold in china by 2024[Introduction] In July 2026, China’s corn starch exports totaled 24,586 metric tons; the cumulative export volume for January–July 2026 showed a 28.41% year-on-year increase. Driven by high cassava starch prices in Southeast Asia and tight supplies from the new processing season, Chinese corn starch demonstrated a clear cost-performance advantage. Although export volumes saw a slight pullback from their peak in July, the overall export level remained high.
Data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China indicates that in July 2026, China exported 24,586 metric tons of corn starch valued at US$10,226,871. This represented a month-on-month decrease of 21.50% but a year-on-year increase of 54.25%. The average export price stood at US$415.96 per metric ton, up 0.90% month-on-month and 4.95% year-on-year. The cumulative export volume for the first seven months of the year rose by 28.41% compared to the same period in 2025. The sustained high export volume was largely due to the significant cost-performance advantage of Chinese corn starch, resulting from high cassava starch prices in Southeast Asia and tight supplies from the new processing season. The month-on-month shift in July was primarily driven by the widening price gap between cassava starch and corn starch; the clear price advantage of corn starch prompted some downstream end-users to switch from cassava starch to corn starch. Since the beginning of 2026, the normalization of corn starch export policies has helped alleviate the pressure of domestic overcapacity and mitigate the intense “internal competition” (cutthroat domestic rivalry) within the industry. While July export volumes saw a slight decline from their peak, the overall export level remained high.
Figure 1: Statistics on China’s corn starch export volume, 2025–2026
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
In terms of trade partners for corn starch exports in July 2026, countries in East and Southeast Asia remained the primary destinations. The Philippines continued to be the top trading partner, with an export volume of 13,594 tonnes, accounting for 55.29% of the total; demand from the Philippines has steadily risen throughout 2026, securing its position as the number one destination for six consecutive months. Export volume to the Philippines reached 94,298 tonnes from January to July, and the annual total is projected to hit 160,000–180,000 tonnes, potentially making it the largest export market for Chinese corn starch. Malaysia followed with 4,539 tonnes (18.47%), then Thailand with 1,694 tonnes (6.89%), and Taiwan with 1,609 tonnes (6.54%). North Korea and Indonesia ranked fifth and sixth, with shares of 2.51% and 1.95%, respectively, while other trading partners accounted for relatively small shares. An analysis of changes in export partners for July reveals the following: First, the Philippines overtook Indonesia to become the largest export destination. Second, market concentration among the top three destinations rose to 77.99%, confirming Southeast Asia’s status as the primary market for domestic corn starch exports. Third, export volumes to Indonesia began to recover; having been the largest destination prior to 2026, Indonesia had seen a significant drop in volume earlier in the year, but exports began to increase slowly in July. Finally, the export market is diversifying, with gradually increasing volumes to countries such as Guinea, Australia, Peru, and Canada.
Figure 2: Corn starch exports by trading partner (July)
Figure 3: Corn starch exports by trading partner (January–July)
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
As the world’s largest producer and consumer of corn starch, China has achieved comprehensive improvements in product quality, pricing, and service standards through a period of high-quality development. The normalization of corn starch exports helps alleviate domestic overcapacity and fosters the industry’s healthy, sustainable growth. Meanwhile, the price of cassava starch in Southeast Asia has surged to high levels this year, widening the price gap with corn starch; this has given corn starch a distinct price advantage and further strengthened its export competitiveness.
Figure 4 Comparison of China’s corn starch import volumes (2025–2026)
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, China’s corn starch imports in July 2026 totaled 687.73 tonnes, valued at US$576,516. This represented a month-on-month decrease of 23.92% and a year-on-year decline of 31.45%. The average import price was US$838.29 per tonne, down 20.69% from the previous month and 0.61% from the same period last year. Cumulative import volume increased by 41.45% compared to the same period in the previous year. The top three sources of corn starch imports in July 2026 were Ukraine, Romania, and Mexico.
As China is currently the world’s largest producer of corn starch, its reliance on imports is minimal. Due to the small volume of imports, they have virtually no actual impact on the domestic corn starch market.
