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Corn Starch Price Trend Analysis 2026: Price Drivers, Latest News, Supply Demand Analysis, Market Insights & Historical Prices
Written ByPragati Agarwal
Corn Starch Latest Development
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Corn Starch Latest Prices October 2026
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corn Starch | China | FOB | USD 420.98/MT | October 2026 |
| Corn Starch | India | CIF | USD 601.47/MT | October 2026 |
| Corn Starch | USA | CIF | USD 547.22/MT | October 2026 |
| Corn Starch | Brazil | CIF | USD 533.32/MT | October 2026 |
| Corn Starch | Canada | CIF | USD 556.15/MT | October 2026 |
| Corn Starch | China | FOB | USD 427.56/MT | September 2026 |
| Corn Starch | India | CIF | USD 587.66/MT | September 2026 |
| Corn Starch | USA | CIF | USD 562.41/MT | September 2026 |
| Corn Starch | Brazil | CIF | USD 564.66/MT | September 2026 |
| Corn Starch | Canada | CIF | USD 571.59/MT | September 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest Corn Starch prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
Corn Starch Price Trend Q3 2026
- Corn starch prices were mixed in Q3 2026. Prices rose where corn supply tightened, but eased where corn stayed cheap and plentiful.
- Corn is the main feedstock, so its price moves drove starch costs. Drought cut some major crops, while weak feed demand kept corn cheap elsewhere.
- Demand from food, paper and industrial users was steady, but buyers purchased mainly for immediate needs, which limited price gains.
Asia
In China, the average prices of Corn Starch were ~USD 436.97/MT (FOB) in July and ~USD 429.45/MT in August, showing a ~1.7% decrease. India saw a smaller dip, with average import prices easing about 1.4% from ~USD 578.93/MT (CIF) in July to ~USD 570.82/MT in August. In China, corn stayed weak as state grain sales added supply and feed mills switched to wheat, sorghum and barley. Starch processors also shut plants for maintenance and bought less corn. Cheaper corn let Chinese exporters offer lower starch prices, which pulled Indian import prices down. The fall in India stayed small because El Niño left monsoon rainfall about 15% below normal, raising concerns over local corn supply.
Europe
European starch producers faced strong cost pressure after an exceptionally hot, dry summer damaged the corn crop. EU grain maize yield prospects were cut 8%. Heatwaves during pollination and lower planting, caused by higher fertilizer costs linked to the Middle East conflict, reduced local corn supply. Ukrainian export disruptions removed a key nearby source, so processors relied more on imports from the US and Brazil, which raised feedstock costs.
North America
In the USA, average corn starch import prices stood at nearly USD 497.91/MT (CIF) in July and rose to roughly USD 520.32/MT in August, a gain of ~4.5%. Canada followed a similar trend, with average prices increasing about 4.5% from ~USD 506.04/MT (CIF) to ~USD 528.81/MT. Drought and extreme heat cut US corn crop prospects, especially in Nebraska, North Dakota and Kansas. Strong export demand for US corn, as buyers replaced Ukrainian supply, further tightened feedstock for starch makers.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, Corn starch prices are likely to stay mixed. Tight corn supply should support prices in drought-hit markets, while new-crop harvests may keep feedstock costs low elsewhere.
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- Global corn starch pricing in Q2 2026 showed a generally stable-to-firm trend, with most regions recording mild upward movement supported by steady corn feedstock conditions and balanced industrial demand.
- Feedstock corn availability remained adequate across major producing regions, limiting sharp cost spikes, while localized logistics and procurement cycles created minor regional divergences.
- Downstream demand from food processing, paper, textile, and biodegradable packaging applications stayed steady, with incremental restocking supporting gradual price firmness.
Asia
In the second quarter of 2026, the monthly average corn starch price in China was ~RMB 2.8458/kg in April and ~RMB 2.8458/kg in the subsequent month. Stable prices were driven by balanced corn supply dynamics and stable operations in starch processing facilities. Demand on the downstream side from food processing and industrial fermentation industries was also steady, preventing any directional movement despite slight upstream cost variations. Meanwhile, the monthly average corn starch price in India was ~INR 50.1098/kg in April and ~INR 52.5045/kg in the subsequent month, showing an increase of ~4.8%. Prices moved higher due to firm domestic demand from food processing, adhesives, and textile industries. Corn procurement costs remained relatively stable, but seasonal demand fluctuations and stronger industrial offtake supported upward movement.
North America
In the second quarter of 2026, the monthly average corn starch price in North America was ~USD 500.38/MT in April and ~USD 515.89/MT in the subsequent month, showing an increase of ~3.1%. Prices were firm on account of stable demand from food processing and paper industry sectors. While corn supply was stable, the rising use of starch derivatives by industries drove firmer prices during the quarter.
South America
In the second quarter of 2026, the monthly average corn starch price in Brazil was ~BRL 2.7387/kg in April and ~BRL 2.8447/kg in the subsequent month, showing an increase of ~3.9%. Prices firmed up owing to stable export demand and consumption from food processing and bio-industrial applications.
About Corn Starch
Corn starch or better known as maize starch is the starch that is extracted from the corn (maize) grain. The starch is derived from the endosperm of the kernel. Corn starch is a common food ingredient that is often utilised as a thickening agent in sauces or soups, as well as in making corn syrup and even some other kinds of the sugars.
Corn Starch Product Detail
Industrial Uses
Corn Syrup and Other Sugars, Thickening Agent, Sauces and Soups, Adhesives, Paper Products, Anti-Sticking Agent, Textile Manufacturing
Supplier Database
Cargill, Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Ingredion Incorporated, Tate & Lyle Plc, Grain Processing Corporation, Roquette Freres, Tereos SA
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Corn Starch Production Processes
- Production of Corn Starch via Wet-Milling
In this production process, corn is first soaked in water for at least 2 days, in order to ferment a little. This facilitates the separation of germ and endosperm, from which Corn Starch is removed by washing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Corn starch prices showed mixed regional movement in Q1 2026. In India, prices increased by around 3.17% from January to March, supported by stronger downstream demand and higher corn procurement costs. In China, prices witnessed a sharper 7.31% increase, driven by tighter corn availability and firmer feedstock sentiment.
In India, corn starch prices showed a 1.81% decrease from the previous quarter to Q1 2026. In China, prices witnessed a 4.41% quarter-on-quarter increase, supported by stronger feedstock corn prices and improved downstream demand from food, paper, and industrial processing sectors.
Corn starch demand is expected to remain firm in 2026 due to steady food processing, sweetener, pharmaceutical, textile, paper, and industrial demand. Supply may improve with larger corn harvests, though feedstock price volatility, energy costs, and biofuel-linked corn demand could continue influencing production economics.
Corn starch prices during Q1 2026 were influenced primarily by corn feedstock costs and downstream demand conditions. In China, tighter corn availability increased wet-milling costs and supported higher starch prices, while in India, rising corn procurement costs and steady industrial consumption supported the market despite relatively comfortable local supply conditions.
China, the United States, India, and several European countries are major players in the corn starch market. China dominates production and consumption due to its large food and industrial processing sector, while the United States remains a key producer supported by large corn availability and wet milling capacity.
Corn starch demand is driven by food processing, sweeteners, pharmaceuticals, paper, textiles, adhesives, corrugation, biodegradable packaging, and industrial applications. It also serves as a key raw material for glucose syrups, maltodextrin, and modified starch products, supporting demand across food and specialty chemical industries.
Corn starch production depends directly on corn availability and wet milling activity. Lower corn inventories or stronger feed demand can tighten starch supply and raise production costs. Larger harvests and better procurement conditions generally improve starch output and support smoother downstream supply.
Corn starch is produced through wet milling, where cleaned corn is steeped, ground, and separated into starch, fiber, protein, and germ fractions. The starch is refined and dried into food-grade or industrial-grade products, while coproducts such as corn gluten feed, corn gluten meal, and corn oil add value to the overall processing chain.
Procurement Resource employs a structured methodology combining primary research, secondary market data, analytical models, and validation processes to assess commodity prices and trends. Price evaluations incorporate supply-demand dynamics, feedstock movements, trade flows, and value chain analysis, supported by continuous market monitoring to ensure accurate and reliable insights.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
About the Author
Pragati Agarwal
Senior Business Insights Analyst
Delivering price trend analysis and procurement market insights at Procurement Resource, with expertise in identifying commodity patterns, supporting purchasing strategies, and improving cost efficiency through actionable market intelligence.
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