- Wheat starch prices in Q1’26 followed a stable-to-slightly soft global trend, supported by adequate wheat availability while energy and freight costs limited sharper declines.
- Feedstock influence remained balanced as strong wheat production and government-supported grain availability reduced raw material tightness across major regions.
- Downstream demand stayed steady from food processing, bakery, sauces, paper sizing, corrugation adhesives, and textile applications, though buyers remained cautious.
During Q1’26, wheat starch prices remained largely balanced across Asia, Europe, and North America as a sufficient wheat supply supported stable processing conditions. China’s wheat production for MY2025/26 was forecast at 140 MMT, while total wheat consumption was projected at 150 MMT, reflecting continued import dependence despite strong domestic output. China also conducted a 200,000-MT wheat auction for flour millers in January, supporting wheat availability for starch processors and limiting supply pressure. Downstream demand from noodles, bakery products, sauces, paper coating, corrugated packaging adhesives, and textile sizing remained regular but not strong enough to create significant market tightness. In the latter half of the quarter, the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruption increased freight, energy, fertilizer, and insurance costs, which raised processing and transportation expenses for wheat-based products and supported delivered market values despite comfortable grain supply conditions.
