TOP5 citric acid products sold in china by 2024[Introduction] In June 2026, China’s corn starch exports totaled 31,321 metric tons, with the cumulative export volume for the first half of the year (January–June) rising by 24.89% year-on-year. Driven by high cassava starch prices in Southeast Asia and tight supplies from the new crushing season, Chinese corn starch demonstrated a clear cost-performance advantage; consequently, June saw a simultaneous rise in both export volume and price, with the volume reaching a three-year high.
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, corn starch exports in June 2026 amounted to 31,321 metric tons, valued at US$12,912,698. This represented a month-on-month increase of 14.50% and a year-on-year surge of 116.06%. The average export price stood at US$412.26 per metric ton, up 1.85% month-on-month and 5.64% year-on-year. The cumulative export volume for the period increased by 24.89% compared to the same period last year. The continued climb in export volumes was largely due to the strong cost-performance advantage of Chinese corn starch, resulting from high cassava starch prices in Southeast Asia and tight supplies from the new crushing season. The month-on-month increase in June exports was primarily driven by the widening price gap between cassava starch and corn starch; the distinct price advantage of corn starch led 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 market. Overall, June witnessed a simultaneous rise in both export volume and price, with the export volume hitting a three-year high.
Source: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China
In terms of trade partners, Southeast Asian nations remained the primary destinations for corn starch exports in June 2026. The Philippines continued to be the leading trade partner, with an export volume of 14,905 tonnes, accounting for 47.59% of the total. Demand from the Philippines for Chinese corn starch has risen steadily throughout 2026; export volume reached 80,705 tonnes in the first half of the year, and the annual total is projected to hit 160,000–180,000 tonnes, potentially making it the largest export destination for Chinese corn starch. Malaysia followed with 7,959 tonnes (25.41%), Thailand with 4,054 tonnes (12.94%), and Vietnam with 2,097 tonnes (6.70%). North Korea and Hong Kong ranked fifth and sixth, with shares of 6.70% and 0.87%, respectively, while other trade partners accounted for relatively small shares. An analysis of changes in export partners for June reveals the following: First, the Philippines overtook Indonesia to become the largest export destination. Second, market concentration among the top three destinations rose to 85.94%, confirming Southeast Asia’s status as the primary market for domestic corn starch exports. Finally, the export market is diversifying, with gradually increasing volumes to countries such as Australia, Mexico, and Canada.
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.
ource: 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 June 2026 totaled 903.90 tonnes, with a value of US$955,446. This represented a month-on-month increase of 199.15% and a year-on-year increase of 102.28%. The average import price was US$1,057.03 per tonne, up 46.26% month-on-month but down 12.65% year-on-year. Cumulative import volume showed an 84.88% increase compared to the same period last year. The top three sources of corn starch imports in June 2026 were Ukraine, the Netherlands, and Romania.
As China is currently the world’s largest producer of corn starch, its reliance on imports is very low. Due to the small volume of imports, they have virtually no actual impact on the domestic corn starch market.
