Major importing countries
United States of America
Thailand exports 30,000-40,000 tons of tapioca starch to the
US per year, representing about 80 percent of the total US starch
import value. In the long run, if Thailand can maintain its
premium quality as well as its competitive price, export trends
to the US market should surge substantially.
Table: US import volume of
Thai tapioca starch, 1996-2001
| Year |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
| Import
volume |
52,307 |
35,059 |
39,086
|
46,254 |
40,869
|
35,572 |
Quantity: metric tons
Source: Department of Business Economics
European Union
The EU has long been Thailand’s most important tapioca pellet
buyer. Over the past few years, it has imported approximately
3-4 million tons per year. The Netherlands accounts for more
than half the total import amount each year. Dutch import prospects
remain bright for 2001/2002, as its grain output is set to fall
and increased pig farming following BSE outbreaks should boost
the use of tapioca as feed.
Table: EU import volume of
hard tapioca pellets from Thailand, 1999-2001
| Country / year |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
| Belgium |
73,148 |
58,999 |
21,601 |
| Germany |
0 |
25,100 |
7,350 |
| Italy |
26,616 |
5,850 |
0 |
| Netherlands |
3,409,728 |
2,464,933 |
1,838,825 |
| Portugal |
57,125
|
219,167 |
223,465 |
| Spain |
535,329 |
765,953 |
480,616 |
| EU total imports |
4,101,946 |
3,540,002 |
2,573,858 |
Quantity: metric tons
Source: Board of Trade of Thailand
However, Thai tapioca pellet
exports to the EU stand to be affected by the use of local alternative
grain crops, the prices of which are sometimes cheaper than
imported tapioca pellets, depending on the amount of output
and farm policies.
| Export
market |
 |
|
