Wheat Starch Market in the GCC: Trends and Industrial Growth Forecast to 2034
Think about a bag full of white and fine wheat starch powder, which has changed the game of confectionaries to biofuels over decades. Based on global stats, the market for wheat starch was worth USD 184.2 million in 2023 and is expected to grow to USD 232.3 million by 2032.
Otherwise, the market for wheat starch in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is growing faster than the global average. In this article, we’ll analyze the wheat starch market in the GCC through segmentations, trends, market landscape, and the future of this market in 2034.
Global Wheat Starch Market Overview
On one hand, the value of the global wheat starch market reached more or less USD 4.3 billion in 2023 and it’s predicted to face over 3% CAGR growth to 2032.
On the other hand, the volume of the global wheat starch market has grown to 6.59 million tons in 2024, while as noted in Expert Market Research, it’s expected to reach 7.35 million tons by 2034 to show a CAGR of 1.1% during 2025–2034.
Global Suppliers and the Rise of Late Trends
China, India, and Europe are the trio of major suppliers in the wheat starch global market. The latest Wheat starch industry trends are mostly led by these three regions.
- Biofuel applications of wheat starch: Use of biofuels like wheat-derived ethanol, have been raised by the increase of focus on renewable energy sources.
- Clean-label product: Nowadays, people are more likely to demand natural and less processed ingredients such as wheat byproducts.
- Awareness of nutrition facts: Wheat starch shows itself as a low-calorie and gluten-free carbohydrate which makes a perfect choice for those who are seeking healthier foods.
GCC Wheat Starch Market Landscape
In comparison to the global market of wheat starch, the gulf cooperation council contains a smaller share of volume and value, while it undergoes a fast growth.
For instance, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) includes the biggest share of this specific market to support the domestic food ingredient processes. However, Saudi Arabia is one another consumer of starches which fulfills them by imports or just makes cornstarch locally.
To respond to the heavy demand for starch in the GCC region, due to limited wheat production opportunities (dry climate and limited sources of water), they mostly rely on importing the starches. (Source: imarc)
Let’s divide the market of wheat starch in GCC through several segmentations:
Market Segmentation of Wheat Starch
The wheat starch market of GCC can be segmented by type, end-use, functionality, and source to lighten the way. Here are each well-explained of various segmentations:
By Type
The wheat starch market is segmented into native starch and modified starch.
Native wheat starch is made from wheat grains and due to being natural is mostly used in paper, textile, or food industries.
Modified wheat starch has normally been changed to increase some desired characteristics like resistance and stability under high temperatures.
- Consider each may have a crucial role in a specific use, for example native starch can go for clean-label applications, while modified starch can be used in acidic dressings.
By End Use
There are several applications in which wheat starch can be essential. Here are the most useful ones:
Food & Beverages: The largest segment uses wheat starch in bakery, dairy production, sauces, etc. Moreover, it can be converted to glucose and used in syrups as well.
Paper & Textiles: Wheat starch plays an impressive role in coating to shape the surface sizing in textile results.
Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics: In This case, wheat starch is shown as a binder in tablets and capsules, or simply works as an absorbent in cosmetics.
By Functionality
Wheat starch shines in different productions due to its practical components. It can be used to thicken and make gel under heating or to bond ingredients like glue in snacks.
Also, it can emulsify sauces or stews to improve their texture and durability, while baking products like breads or pastries can be covered through glazing.
By Source
Worldwide, starch is extracted from various sources, such as cassava, corn, potato, wheat, tapioca, or rice. Corn starch and its advanced production and supply industry (mostly in the US and China) account for the biggest part of starch’s global utility.
Wheat starch is the second-most abundant starch in the world (especially in Europe due to the abundance of wheat) and can be crucially used in particular applications.
Potato and tapioca starches are also used extensively in Eastern cuisine. Potato starch thickens clear soup, while tapioca is the main ingredient of bubble tea.
| Segment | Description | Key Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Native, Modified | Food, Industrial |
| End Use | Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Biofuels | Bakery, Binders, Adhesives |
| Functionality | Thickening, Binding, Stabilizing | Sauces, Tablets, Packaging |
| Source | Wheat, Corn, Potatoes | Gluten-free, Cost-effective |
Key Growth Drivers in the GCC Wheat Starch Market
There are four key factors that drive the market to that forecasted growth:
Clean-Label and Gluten-Free Food Demand: Today, consumers are more likely to wait in front of store shelves and read the nutrition facts. As their preferences have been changed, choices are adapted to their new needs.
GCC wheat starch manufacturers are about to produce gluten-free wheat starch to meet these conscious consumers’ needs via healthy and label-friendly products.
Processed Food Market Expansion: GCC countries faced an increasing expansion in ready-to-eat foods. Busy lifestyles force producing these foods in the Gulf.
As the popularity of these foods is growing across countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE, the demand for wheat starch has been increased to improve the quality and texture of frozen meals, sauces, or noodles.
Government Support for Sustainability and Bio-economy: GCC governments support manufacturers through programs and strategies.
For example, in Saudi Vision 2030, though the dependency on imports decreases, the investments go under research and agricultural businesses. (Source: GlobalNewswire)
Growing Industrial Applications (Packaging, Adhesives, Textiles): in addition to food uses of wheat starch, we encountered such expansion in industrial usage of wheat starch.
With the growth of middle east packaging, wheat starch can be used in improving the paper’s quality and coating, while in the chemical sector, it’s used as a binder or adhesive for construction.
Emerging Trends and Innovations
After growth drivers, new trends and innovations are going to shape the wheat starch marking in the coming years:
1. Biofuel Production from Wheat Starch
In regions with high encouragement of renewable fuel uses. For example, Amber Wave (USA) produced ethanol from wheat starch in 2023 on a large scale. Additionally, GCC’s biofuel industry is likely to focus on biofuel uses and extraction.
2. Technological Advancements in Starch Processing
To increase cost-efficiency and quality of wheat starch, Enzymatic processing and technological extraction methods aid the process in their few years. The more manufacturers invest in modern technologies, the more output they’ll reach of the same amount of raw material.
According to FeedandGrain the MEFSCO corn mill in Saudi Arabia, via using advanced machinery, doubled its output of starch and glucose production.
3. Research on Resistant Starch and Health
Research has shown the impact of resistant starch on gut health and decreasing the glycemic response, due to high-resistance during digestion. Hence, scientists and agricultural researchers are seeking ways to expand wheats with high resistant starch content.
4. Gluten-Free Wheat Starch Innovations
The rise of gluten-free wheat starch has developed the manufacturer’s point of view. Nowadays, they are more likely to be into processes which lower the gluten in wheat starch.
To give an example, in 2024 the German company Kröner-Stärke produced a type of gluten-free wheat starch for baking applications.
| Trend | Essence | Standout Example | GCC Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Fuel Frontier | Wheat starch powers eco-friendly bioethanol. | Amber Wave’s 2023 ethanol surge in the USA. | Fuels GCC’s sustainable energy ambitions. |
| Processing Powerhouse | Cutting-edge tech boosts starch quality and yield. | MEFSCO’s Saudi mill doubles output with advanced tools. | Elevates local production efficiency. |
| Wellness Starch Wave | Resistant starch champions gut and metabolic health. | Research targets high-resistant wheat varieties. | Supports GCC’s health-conscious food revolution. |
| Gluten-Free Brilliance | Gluten-free starch transforms baking excellence. | Kröner-Stärke’s 2024 Baking Innovation in Germany. | Drives demand for specialty foods in the GCC. |
Challenges in the GCC Wheat Starch Market
However, the market of wheat starch in GCC has grown over the years, there are possibilities of challenges in the atmosphere of this market.
- Limited Local Wheat Production: As a crucial challenge, GCC’s countries like Saudi Arabia face water shortage and unlike last decades they used to reach self-efficiency in wheat starch, they had to stop the plan and rely on imports.
- Competition from Alternative Starches: Corn starch, as the most used and produced starch in the GCC market, takes the first place and threatens wheat starch, while tapioca and potato starches, due to their specific application, are irreplaceable. (Source: Bakery&Snacks)
- Price variability of Wheat Imports: Due to various reasons such as geopolitical issues and export policies, the world wheat price is changing. For example, after RussiaUkraine war, Saudi Arabia faced a 10% increase in wheat grain.
- Low Consumer Awareness of Wheat Starch: Unlike other ingredients like flour or sugar, the function of wheat starch is not that detectable, while there are cheaper alternatives like cornstarch for it. Then, boosting the awareness of consumers through label-friendly packaging would ease the way.
Competitive Landscape of the wheat starch market
The competitive Landscape of the wheat starch market in the GCC is mostly based on key global suppliers, whether local or regional. Several companies are leading the global market for wheat starch.
For instance, Cargill Incorporated, which has produced wheat starch in 70 countries over centuries, formed MEFSCO in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s ARASCO to run a corn milling in Al-Kharj.
ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), as a nutrition leader produces wheat starch for food aims, while offering such cost-effective finish.
Also, Roquette Frères across 100 countries supplies high-quality starch, while serving GCC food and pharma sectors with innovative texturizers.
Strategic focus: R&D, sustainability, plant-based product development
A remarkable part of the competition is the strategic focus on sustainability and innovation. The leaders of wheat starch follow eco-friendly, plant-based solutions, and R&D driven innovations to introduce such a product including non-GMO “clean” starch options.
Future Outlook: GCC Wheat Starch Market (2025–2034)
The promising outlook of GCC wheat starch market forecasts such a growth from USD 184.2 million in 2023 to USD 232.3 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 2.53%, then hopefully will reach USD 260 million by 2034.
Moreover, the rise of demand for gluten-free and clean-label starches will force food companies to reshape their strategies. As programs like Saudi Vision 2030’s USD 10 billion agricultural plan will increase local production, while decreasing import dependency.
Meanwhile, by 2034, it’s expected that the UAE and Saudi Arabia lead the wheat starch market of GCC while supporting R&D in gluten-free wheat starch.
Conclusion
We’ve reached the final stop on our wheat starch journey! The wheat starch GCC market, from USD 188.9 million in 2024 to a reached USD 242.3 million by 2034, is a powerhouse ingredient GCC Wheat Starch Market.
From glossy sauces to gluten-free bread, eco-friendly packaging to pharmaceutical binders, this fine, plant-based fuels innovation. global leaders like Cargill and local heroes like MEFSCO contain supply, while clean label starch solutions represent Wheat Starch Market.
FAQs
1-How is wheat starch used in the GCC food industry?
Wheat starch thickens sauces, covers cakes through glazing and improves the texture, while making a perfect choice for those who are looking for free-gluten goods.
2-How does government policy support the wheat starch GCC market?
Government can help companies through their programs like Saudi Vision 2030 via USD 10 billion investment on agricultural plans for local production and sustainable starch processing to reduce the import dependency.
3-Why is consumer awareness a challenge for the wheat starch GCC market?
Unlike other ingredients like flour or sugar, the function of wheat starch is not that detectable, while there is such cheaper alternative like cornstarch for it.
Leave a Reply