Identifiers
Starch is classified under HS Code 1108.12. This falls under Chapter 11: Products of the milling industry; malt, starches, inulin, wheat gluten, specifically Heading 1108 (Starches; inulin), under subheading: Starch; maize (corn) starch.
* The data below is specific to the HS code, not the ingredient.
Suppliers
511
Across 61 countries
Shipments
5,139
from 2015 to 2026
Total weight
213.8M kg
17,114 TEU · standard 20-foot container units
Last shipment
6 months ago
Last updated at Feb 25, 2026
Growth
↑ 45%
Trade under 1108.12 has increased by 45% over the past 6 months
Trade activity under HS 1108.12 indicates a large, active corn starch supply chain, with 511 suppliers, 5,139 shipments, and roughly 213,800 metric tons moved between late 2015 and early 2026. The flow is dominated by full container loads, suggesting bulk commodity movement rather than small-scale specialty trade. The presence of major global producers like Cargill, Ingredion, and Roquette alongside numerous regional entities points to a mature market with both established and emerging players. This scale implies a stable, high-volume ingredient with multiple sourcing options, but the data does not confirm that all shipments are ingredient-specific, as logistics providers and traders are also present.
The HS classification 1108.12 specifically covers maize (corn) starch, falling under the broader heading for starches and inulin. This scope is narrower than all starches, excluding potato, wheat, and tapioca starches, which have separate codes. However, the supplier list includes major producers known for corn and wheat derivatives, and notes indicate the code may capture broader starch activities or misclassified shipments. Therefore, while the classification is specific to corn starch, the actual trade activity under this code may not be perfectly ingredient-specific. This distinction is critical for formulation decisions, as using this data to assess corn starch supply specifically requires acknowledging potential inclusion of other starch types.
| Supplier | Shipments | Top customer | Growth | Last shipment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No suppliers found. | |||||
The supplier landscape appears fragmented and diversified, with 511 distinct suppliers across 61 countries, but with notable concentration in a few key players. A small number of large, well-known manufacturers like Agrana, Ingredion, Cargill, and Roquette account for a significant share of shipments, particularly from Germany and Belgium. However, the long tail includes numerous smaller regional producers, traders, and logistics entities, especially from Turkey, Brazil, and India. This structure suggests a market where buyers can source from global leaders for consistent volume, or from regional suppliers for localized needs, but it also introduces complexity in verifying the true manufacturing status of many listed entities.
Further diligence is required to distinguish actual starch manufacturers from traders and logistics providers, as the supplier list includes many entities that are not confirmed producers. This is a material risk for supply chain security, as relying on a trader without verifying their upstream source could introduce volatility. Additionally, the potential for misclassification under HS 1108.12 means that some shipments may not be corn starch, requiring verification of product specifications. The geographic concentration in Turkey and Brazil also suggests potential regional risk factors, such as local market conditions or export policies, that could affect supply stability. These factors warrant direct supplier qualification and product testing.
The most relevant sourcing geographies are Turkey, Brazil, and Germany, which together account for the majority of shipment volume and weight. Turkey leads in supplier count and shipments, while Brazil has the highest total weight, indicating significant production or export capacity. Germany serves as a major European hub with high shipment frequency. Other notable lanes include China, India, and Mexico, with smaller but meaningful volumes. This geographic spread suggests a diversified supply base with strong regional hubs in Europe, South America, and Asia. The data does not specify destination countries, so the full trade lane picture remains incomplete, but the origin concentration points to these regions as primary sourcing areas.
By shipment count
Türkiye
1,168 shipments
76 suppliers
48.7M kg total weight
Germany
1,095 shipments
25 suppliers
29.7M kg total weight
Brazil
997 shipments
58 suppliers
55.8M kg total weight
China
271 shipments
71 suppliers
4.4M kg total weight
India
208 shipments
46 suppliers
13.6M kg total weight
Mexico
181 shipments
8 suppliers
7M kg total weight
Belgium
155 shipments
8 suppliers
4.2M kg total weight
Japan
115 shipments
13 suppliers
5.9M kg total weight
Netherlands
92 shipments
7 suppliers
5.1M kg total weight
Paraguay
74 shipments
4 suppliers
5.1M kg total weight