[Introduction] Corn starch exports in November 2025 declined compared to October. The main reasons were: firstly, disruptions in maritime logistics hindered shipments after November. Secondly, exports to Indonesia, a major export destination, saw a significant decrease, down 56.16% month-on-month, leading to an overall decline in exports. It is expected that after December, influenced by high cassava starch prices in Southeast Asian countries, corn starch exports will maintain their export advantage.
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, China's corn starch exports in November 2025 totaled 16,943 tons, with an export value of US$6,426,731. Export volume decreased by 11.59% month-on-month but increased by 97.15% year-on-year. The average export price was US$379.31 per ton, down 1.17% month-on-month and down 6.43% year-on-year. Cumulative exports increased by 1781.71% compared to the same period last year. Since the beginning of 2025, the normalization of corn starch export policies has helped reduce the current "involution" in the domestic market and alleviate the pressure of domestic overcapacity. Corn starch exports in November declined compared to October. The main reasons were: firstly, disruptions in maritime logistics in November hindered shipments; secondly, exports to Indonesia, a major export destination, saw a significant decrease, down 56.16% month-on-month, leading to an overall decline in exports. The cumulative corn starch exports from January to November 2025 reached 196,704.47 tons. It is expected that in December, influenced by high cassava starch prices in Southeast Asian countries, corn starch will maintain its export advantage.
In November 2025, Southeast Asian countries remained the primary export destinations for corn starch exports, categorized by trading partner. The Philippines was the largest export partner in November 2025, with exports of 7,779 tons, accounting for 45.92% of total exports. Thailand followed with 2,247 tons (13.26%), then Vietnam with 1,316 tons (7.76%), and Malaysia with 1,012 tons (5.97%). Taiwan and Nigeria ranked fifth and sixth respectively, accounting for 4.26% and 3.87% of exports. Other trading partners had relatively smaller share. From January to November 2025, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand were the top three export destinations for corn starch, accounting for 34.31%, 23.32%, and 11.39% of total exports, respectively. Analysis of the changes in export trading partners from January to November shows that the Philippines surpassed Indonesia to become the largest export destination. Secondly, the market concentration of the top three leading companies increased by 69.02%, with Southeast Asia remaining the main destination for domestic corn starch exports. Next, Africa and Latin America have emerged as new growth engines. Exports from countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, and Peru have gradually increased, indicating a trend towards diversification in corn starch exports. Finally, exports to Indonesia, a major export destination, saw a significant decline, decreasing by 56.16% month-on-month, which had a certain impact on corn starch exports.
As China is currently the world's largest producer and consumer of corn starch, and after several years of high-quality development, the quality, price, and service of domestic corn starch have been comprehensively improved. With the normalization of corn starch exports, this helps alleviate the pressure of domestic overcapacity and promotes the healthy and sustainable development of the industry. However, the low price of cassava starch in Southeast Asian countries after February this year had a certain inhibitory effect on China's corn starch exports. But after October, with the recovery of the domestic new season corn market and the easing of raw material cost pressures, the price advantage of corn starch compared to cassava starch became apparent, and the export advantage of corn starch continued to increase.
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China, in November 2025, China imported 273.64 tons of corn starch, with an import value of US$458,266. Import volume decreased by 71.79% month-on-month but increased by 51.45% year-on-year. The average import price was US$1,674.68 per ton, an increase of 98.18% month-on-month but a decrease of 5.92% year-on-year. The cumulative import volume increased by 109.95% compared to the same period last year. In November 2025, the top three countries for corn starch imports were Mexico, France, and Italy. From January to November 2025, cumulative corn starch imports reached 5067.49 tons, representing a year-on-year increase of 109.95%. By trading partner, Ukraine, Mexico, and the United States were the top three importers from January to November 2025.
Due to persistently high import prices, which are not competitive with domestic corn starch prices, import volumes remained low. With leading domestic corn starch companies actively improving product quality and upgrading services in recent years, they have fully met the customized needs of various downstream end-users, thus reducing the demand for imported corn starch.
As China is currently the world's largest producer of corn starch, its dependence on imports is very low. Due to the small volume of imports, they have virtually no real impact on the domestic corn starch market.
Source: Zhuo Chuang Information)