Market overview
The global modified starch market is worth USD 8.7 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 13.9 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.8% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Cross-linked and stabilised is the largest by type segment.
| Scope | Chemically or physically modified starches (cross-linked, oxidised, acetylated, cationic, pregelatinised) sold to food, paper, textile, adhesive and construction users. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 8.3 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 8.7 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 13.9 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 8,501 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 12,545 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,020 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Modified Starch market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 8.7 bn |
| 2027 | USD 9.1 bn |
| 2028 | USD 9.5 bn |
| 2029 | USD 10.0 bn |
| 2030 | USD 10.5 bn |
| 2031 | USD 11.0 bn |
| 2032 | USD 11.5 bn |
| 2033 | USD 12.0 bn |
| 2034 | USD 12.6 bn |
| 2035 | USD 13.2 bn |
| 2036 | USD 13.9 bn |
Modified Starch market segmentation
By type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-linked and stabilised | 32.0% | 32.1% | USD 2.8 bn | 4.8% |
| Pregelatinised | 20.0% | 20.4% | USD 1.7 bn | 5.0% |
| Oxidised and acetylated | 20.0% | 18.9% | USD 1.7 bn | 4.2% |
| Cationic and other | 28.0% | 28.6% | USD 2.4 bn | 5.0% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food and beverage | 38.0% | 40.0% | USD 3.3 bn | 5.3% |
| Paper and board | 30.0% | 27.6% | USD 2.6 bn | 3.9% |
| Textiles and adhesives | 12.0% | 11.0% | USD 1.0 bn | 3.9% |
| Construction | 10.0% | 10.5% | USD 867 mn | 5.3% |
| Feed, pharma and other | 10.0% | 10.8% | USD 867 mn | 5.6% |
By base crop
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corn | 55.0% | 52.0% | USD 4.8 bn | 4.2% |
| Cassava | 19.0% | 21.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 5.8% |
| Potato | 10.0% | 9.0% | USD 867 mn | 3.7% |
| Wheat, rice and other | 16.0% | 18.0% | USD 1.4 bn | 6.0% |
By function
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thickening and gelling | 38.0% | 37.0% | USD 3.3 bn | 4.5% |
| Binding and adhesion | 27.0% | 26.0% | USD 2.3 bn | 4.4% |
| Stabilising and emulsifying | 21.0% | 21.0% | USD 1.8 bn | 4.8% |
| Coating, film and other | 14.0% | 16.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 6.2% |
By modification route
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical | 64.0% | 57.0% | USD 5.6 bn | 3.6% |
| Physical (heat-moisture, pregelatinised) | 20.0% | 24.0% | USD 1.7 bn | 6.7% |
| Enzymatic and combined | 16.0% | 19.0% | USD 1.4 bn | 6.6% |
Top 25 countries for modified starch by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 72.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 92.6%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 2.1 bn | 24.0% | USD 3.2 bn | 4.3% |
| 2 | United States | USD 1.4 bn | 16.0% | USD 2.1 bn | 4.3% |
| 3 | India | USD 520 mn | 6.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 7.9% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 434 mn | 5.0% | USD 596 mn | 3.2% |
| 5 | Brazil | USD 347 mn | 4.0% | USD 610 mn | 5.8% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 347 mn | 4.0% | USD 457 mn | 2.8% |
| 7 | Indonesia | USD 347 mn | 4.0% | USD 665 mn | 6.7% |
| 8 | France | USD 304 mn | 3.5% | USD 416 mn | 3.2% |
| 9 | United Kingdom | USD 260 mn | 3.0% | USD 374 mn | 3.7% |
| 10 | Mexico | USD 260 mn | 3.0% | USD 485 mn | 6.4% |
| 11 | Thailand | USD 260 mn | 3.0% | USD 592 mn | 8.6% |
| 12 | Vietnam | USD 235 mn | 2.7% | USD 395 mn | 5.3% |
| 13 | Netherlands | USD 180 mn | 2.1% | USD 268 mn | 4.0% |
| 14 | Italy | USD 149 mn | 1.7% | USD 220 mn | 4.0% |
| 15 | Spain | USD 128 mn | 1.5% | USD 189 mn | 4.0% |
| 16 | Canada | USD 113 mn | 1.3% | USD 166 mn | 4.0% |
| 17 | Poland | USD 101 mn | 1.2% | USD 148 mn | 4.0% |
| 18 | South Korea | USD 92 mn | 1.1% | USD 136 mn | 4.0% |
| 19 | Turkey | USD 84 mn | 1.0% | USD 141 mn | 5.3% |
| 20 | Russia | USD 78 mn | 0.9% | USD 115 mn | 4.0% |
| 21 | Australia | USD 73 mn | 0.8% | USD 108 mn | 4.0% |
| 22 | Argentina | USD 69 mn | 0.8% | USD 101 mn | 4.0% |
| 23 | Philippines | USD 65 mn | 0.8% | USD 108 mn | 5.2% |
| 24 | Belgium | USD 62 mn | 0.7% | USD 90 mn | 3.9% |
| 25 | Pakistan | USD 58 mn | 0.7% | USD 98 mn | 5.4% |
| Rest of world | USD 639 mn | 7.4% | USD 963 mn | 4.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Cargill
- ADM
- Ingredion
- Roquette
- Tereos
- Tate & Lyle
- Global Bio-chem Technology
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Avebe
- Emsland Group
- AGRANA
- Südzucker
- Manildra Group
- Grain Processing Corporation
- Beneo
- Zhucheng Xingmao Corn Developing
- Universal Starch Chem Allied
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Sanstar
- Sukhjit Starch and Chemicals
- Gujarat Ambuja Exports
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the modified starch market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by type, by end use, by base crop, by function, by modification route. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the modified starch market?
The global modified starch market is estimated at USD 8.3 bn in 2025 and USD 8.7 bn in 2026.
How fast will the modified starch market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 13.9 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 5.2 bn.
Which country is the largest market for modified starch?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 2.1 bn in 2026, 24.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 46.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 7.9% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which modified starch segment is largest?
In the by type split, Cross-linked and stabilised is the largest segment with 32.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading modified starch companies?
Global leaders include Cargill, ADM, Ingredion, Roquette.
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