Europe Cassava Market Report

Europe Cassava Market Size

The Europe cassava market size was valued at USD 57.93 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 77.32 billion by 2034 from USD 59.82 billion in 2026, growing at a CAGR of 3.26%.

Cassava is scientifically known as Manihot esculenta, which is a starchy tropical root crop primarily cultivated in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and imported into Europe in processed forms, such as flour, starch, pellets, and frozen roots. Cassava is not grown commercially due to climatic unsuitability, but serves as a niche yet strategically important ingredient in food, feed, and industrial applications. Its gluten-free nature, neutral flavour, and functional properties have positioned it as a key alternative in the expanding market allergen-free and plant-based formulations. According to Eurostat, the European Union imported over 420000 metric tons of cassava products in 2023, primarily from Thailand, Vietnam, and Nigeria. Furthermore, the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy emphasises diversification of protein and starch sources to enhance food system resilience, indirectly supporting non-cereal crops. While cassava remains a minor component of Europe’s agricultural import basket, its role in speciality food innovation, sustainable feed alternatives, and bio-based industries is steadily expanding within a region increasingly attuned to dietary inclusivity and supply chain diversification.

MARKET DRIVERS

Growing Demand Gluten-Free and Allergen-Free Food Ingredients

The rising prevalence of celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity of cassava adoption as a functional gluten-free starch and flour is driving the growth of the European cassava market. According to the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, diagnosed celiac disease affects many of the European population, with screening studies suggesting actual prevalence may exceed 2%. Beyond clinical cases, the European Consumer Organisation reports that 13.2% of EU consumers actively avoid gluten, perceiving it as healthier or easier to digest. Cassava, naturally free from gluten and the top eight allergens, serves as a versatile base for breads, pastas and baked goods. The European Food Safety Authority recognises cassava starch as a safe food ingredient with no restrictions on use levels. Major food manufacturers like DrSchär and Schär have incorporated cassava into their gluten-free product lines, citing its neutral taste and binding properties. In 2023, the European gluten-free food market grew,, cassava-based formulations gaining share due to superior texture compared to rice or corn alternatives. This health-driven consumer shift ensures consistent and expanding demand for cassava derivatives across retail and food service sectors.

Expansion of Plant-Based and Clean Label Food Formulations

The food innovators are increasingly turning to cassava as a clean-label thickener and texturizer in plant-based dairy alternatives, meat analogues, and ready meals, which will additionally boost the growth of the European cassava market. Unlike chemically modified starches, native cassava starch is perceived as natural and minimally processed by aligning with the European Commission’s clean label guidelines under Regulation EC No 1333/2008. According to the survey, the plant-based food market in the EU reached 4.2 billion euros in 2023, growing at 11% annually, with texture and mouthfeel cited as top reformulation challenges. Cassava starch provides high viscosity, clarity,, and afreeze-thawhaw stability for plant-based cheeses and sauces. Companies like Oatly and Alpro use cassava derivatives to improve product consistency without artificial additives. Additionally, the European Clean Label Forum notes that 68% of new food launches in 2023 featured “no artificial ingredients” claims, accelerating demand for functional botanicals like cassava.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Stringent EU Regulations on Cyanogenic Glycosides in Imported Cassava Products

The strict regulatory limits on cyanogenic glycosides, naturally occurring toxins in raw cassava that can release cyanide if improperly processed, are majorly hampering the growth of the European cassava market. According to the European Food Safety Authority, the maximum permissible level of hydrocyanic acid in cassava flour and starch is 10 milligrams per kilogram, with additional batch testing required for non-EU imports. In 2023, the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed recorded 27 notifications involving cassava products exceeding toxin thresholds, primarily from West African suppliers lacking standardised detoxification protocols. These rejections not only cause financial losses but also erode buyer confidence in entire origin countries. Compliance requires sophisticated processing infrastructure, such as grating fermentation and sun drying inconsistent, inconsistent across smallholder supply chains. As per the European Spice Association, importers now demand third-party lab certificates for every shipment, increasing costs and lead times.

High Import Dependency and Volatility in Global Cassava Supply Chains

Europe’s cassava supply is entirely import-dependent, which is making it vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions, export restrictions, and price fluctuations in key producing regions. The high import dependency and volatility in global cassava supply chains are degrading the growth of the European cassava market. According to Eurostat, EU cassava imports in 2023 originated from Thailand and Vietnam, both of which have implemented intermittent export duties and quotas to prioritise domestic ethanol and feed industries. Additionally, climate events such as prolonged droughts in Nigeria, the world’s largest cassava producer, which is disrupt harvests and reduce global availability. This structural fragility discourages long-term contracts and pushes manufacturers toward more stable starch alternatives like potato or maize, constraining cassava’s market potential despite its functional advantages.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Integration into Sustainable Animal Feed as a Corn Substitute

Cassava is emerging as a viable alternative to corn in European compound animal feed, with the need to diversify protein and energy sources under the EU’s feed sustainability agenda creating new opportunities for the growth of Europe's cassava market. Cassava pellets with 70 to 75% starch content offer a high-energy feedstock that can replace up to 30% of corn in ruminant and poultry diets without compromising performance. A 2023 trial by the German Agricultural Society found that dairy cows fed cassava-based rations showed no difference in milk yield or composition compared to corn fed controls. The European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy encourages the use of non-food competing feed ingredients, and cassava,, that often grown on marginal lands, which qualifies as a low-conflict crop. Importantly, cassava requires less water and fertiliser than corn, aligning with environmental sustainability goals.

Adoption in Bio-Based and Circular Economy Applications

The food and feed cassava starch is gaining interest in Europe’s industrial sector as a renewable raw material for biodegradable plastics, adhesives, and textile sizing agents. The adoption of bio-based and circular economy applications is expected to boost the growth of the European cassava market. According to the European Bioplastics Association, the demand for bio-based polymers in the EU with starch-based resins of total bioplastics production. Cassava starch’s high amylopectin content makes it ideal for film-forming and binding applications in compostable packaging and paper coatings. Companies like Novamont and Corbion are exploring cassava as a supplement to potato and corn starch to diversify feedstock sources and reduce agricultural pressure on European farmland. The European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan promotes the use of non-native crops in bio-based value chains to enhance supply security. Additionally, cassava processing waste, such as peels and pulp, cabe n valorised into biogas or organic fertiliser, supporting closed loop models.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Limited Consumer Awareness and Perceived Association with Low-Income Economies

The cassava suffers from low recognition among European consumers and food developers, who often associate it with subsistence farming in developing nations rather than premium food innovation. The limited consumer awareness and perceived association with low-income economies a significant challenges for the growth of the European cassava market. According to a 2023 survey by the European Food Information Council, only consumers in Germany, France, and Italy could correctly identify cassava or its uses, with many confusing it with yams or taro. This knowledge gap translates into hesitancy among food manufacturers to prominently feature cassava on packaging for fear of confusing shoppers or implying lower quality.

Lack of Standardised Quality Grades and Traceability in Global Supply Chains

The inconsistent product quality due to the absence of globally harmonised grading standards for cassava flour and starch is also a restraining factor for the growth of the European cassava market. According to the International Starch Institute, cassava imports into the EU exhibit wide variation in starch purity, viscosity and ash content parameters for industrial and food applications. A 2023 audit by the German Food Importers’ Association found that cassava flour shipments failed to meet agreed technical specifications by leading to production delays and reformulation costs. Additionally, traceability is minimal;l, most shipments are aggregated from thousands of small farms with no farm-level data on variety agronomic practices or processing methods. The European Commission’s Due Diligence Proposal for Agricultural Commodities will soon require supply chain transparency, but cassava exporters remain unprepared. Until international bodies establish quality benchmarks and digital traceability protocols, European buyers will continue to view cassava as a high-risk ingredient, which is limiting its adoption in premium and regulated applications.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

By Product Type Insights

The native segment accounted in holding 46.5% of the European cassava market share in 2025. Native cassava starch is an ingredient in Europe’s expanding gluten-free food sector due to its high binding capacity, freeze-thaw stability, and clean label status. According to the European Food Safety Authority, cassava starch is approved for unrestricted use in all food categories as a thickener, stabiliser and gelling agent. Major manufacturers like Schär and DS Gluten Free use native cassava starch as a base for bread, pastries, and pasta because it mimics wheat’s textural properties without allergens. A 2023 study by the University of Wageningen confirmed that cassava starch produces superior crumb structure and shelf life in gluten-free bread compared to rice or corn starch. Beyond food, native cassava starch serves as a renewable binder in Europe’s paper, textile and adhesive industries. In papermaking, it improves surface strength and printability without synthetic additives by aligning with the EU Ecolabel for sustainable paper products. The EU textile finishers now use bio-based starches for warp sizing to reduce chemical discharge. Companies like Cargill and Roquette source certified cassava starch for these applications due to its consistent viscosity and biodegradability. Additionally, the European Commission’s Circular Economy Action Plan promotes bio-based materials in manufacturing, indirectly supporting cassava starch adoption.

The cassava flour segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.2% from 2026 to 2034. Cassava flour is gaining rapid traction as a whole food alternative to refined starches in artisanal and premium baked goods. Unlike native starch, which is an extract, cassava flour is made from the entire root, retaining fibre and offering a more “whole food” perception. Brands like Schär and Orgran now formulate with cassava flour to achieve a less processed image while maintaining texture. Additionally, the European Commission’s revised guidelines on front-of-pack nutrition labelling favour whole food ingredients, accelerating reformulation toward flours over isolated starches. Cassava flour is increasingly used as a texturising and binding agent in next-generation plant-based products, where fibre content and neutral flavour are advantageous. According to the European Plant-Based Foods Association, plant-based meat analogues grew by 12% in 2023, with texture identified as the top consumer complaint. Cassava flour provides bulk and chewiness without off flavours, unlike legume flour, which can impart beany notes. Companies like Beyond Meat and Nestlé’s Garden Gourmet are testing cassava flour blends to reduce reliance on methylcellulose and other synthetic binders. A 2025 trial by the German Institute of Food Technologies found that cassava flour improvewater-holdingng capacity in plant-based sausages by 18% compared to rice flour. Furthermore, cassava flour is compatible with high moisture extrusion processes used in fibrous meat analogue production.

By End Use Industry Insights

The food and beverage industry segment held 58.3% of the European cassava market share in 2025. The European Union mandates strict allergen labelling under Regulation EC No 1169/2011 recognises gluten as a major allergen requiring clear declaration. According to the European Commission, over 14 million Europeans actively avoid gluten due to diagnosed conditions or perceived health benefits. Cassava’s natural gluten-free status makes it a safe and versatile base for breads, pastas, sauces and snacks. The European Food Safety Authority confirms cassava contains no proteins homologous to gluten, making it suitable for celiac patients. Major retailers like Carrefour and Tesco have expanded dedicated gluten-free aisles with cassava-based products, which is driving category visibility. This regulatory consumer and retail alignment ensures food and beverage remains the primary demand driver for cassava in Europe.

The animal feed segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2026 to 2034. European feed mills are increasingly incorporating cassava chips and pellets as partial substitutes for corn to mitigate price volatility and supply concentration risks. Cassava offers comparable energy density with 70 to 75% starch content and can replace up to 30% of corn in ruminant and poultry diets. A 2023 trial by the German Agricultural Society demonstrated that dairy cows fed cassava-based rations maintained milk yield and fat content equivalent to corn fed controls. As the EU promotes feed autonomy under the Farm to Fork Strategy, cassava’s status as a non-food competing crop grown on marginal lands enhances its appeal as a resilient alternative.

By Form Insights

The dried cassava products segment was the largest by holding a prominent share of the European cassava market in 2025. Fresh cassava roots are highly perishable with a shelf life of only 24 to 48 hours post-harvest, making them unsuitable for intercontinental transport. In contrast, dried forms like chips and flour are stable at ambient temperatures for over 12 months, facilitating bulk shipping from Asia, Africa and Latin America. According to Eurostat, cassava imports into the EU in 2023 arrived as dried commodities due to phytosanitary and customs requirements. The European Commission’s Plant Health Regulation prohibits fresh root imports from most tropical countries to prevent pest introduction, such as cassava mealybug and mosaic virus. Dried products undergo heat treatment during processing, which neutralises biological risks, ensuring compliance. Additionally, dried cassava has lower freight costs due to reduced weight and volume. Major ports like Rotterdam and Hamburg maintain dedicated dry bulk terminals for cassava chips, enabling efficient distribution to feed and starch processors across the continent.

The frozen cassava segment is likely to grow at the fastest CAGR of 8.5% from 2026 to 2034. Frozen cassava roots are gaining niche but rapid traction in Europe’s ethnic food sector, serving African, Caribbean and Latin American communities, who prefer traditional preparations like fufu and farofa. According to the European Ethnic Grocers’ Association, many metric tons of frozen tropical produce were sold in the EU in 2023. Major retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Carrefour now stock frozen peeled cassava in urban stores with high immigrant populations. According to the European Consumer Organisation, households in London, Paris and Lisbon purchased frozen cassava at least once in 2023.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

Germany Cassava Market Analysis

Germany was the top performer of the European cassava market by accounting for 24.3% of the share in 2025, with its large gluten-free food manufacturing base, strong feed industry and rigorous regulatory compliance infrastructure. According to the German Coeliac Society, many diagnosed celiac patients reside in Germany, driving demand for certified gluten-free ingredients. Major manufacturers like Dr Schär and Hammermühle use native cassava starch and flour as core components in their product lines. The German Feed Association reports that 38% of compound feed mills now include cassava chips as a corn alternative following the 2022 EU feed diversification directive. Additionally, Germany hosts Europe’s largest starch processing facilities operated by Cargill and Roquette, which source cassava under strict EFSA toxin limits.

United Kingdom Cassava Market Analysis

The United Kingdom was positioned second by capturing 18.3% of the European cassava market share in 2025, owing to its large immigrant population, thriving speciality food retail and mature gluten-free sector. According to the UK Coeliac Society, people follow a gluten-free diet in the UK, making it one of Europe’s most developed markets for alternative flours. Major retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose stock over 200 cassava-based products ranging from flour to frozen roots. The UK’s African and Caribbean communities, totalling over 2 million people, according to the Office for National Statistics, sustain a consistent demand for traditional cassava preparations. Additionally, the UK retained EU food safety standards post Brexit through the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations 2013, ensuring continued alignment on cyanide limits and allergen labelling.

France Cassava Market Analysis

France's cassava market growth is likely to grow with its large West African diaspora, strong organic food movement and industrial starch demand. According to INSEE, many residents of African origin live in France, creating a steady demand for cassava in both fresh frozen and flour forms. Major retailers like Carrefour and Monoprix offer extensive ethnic food sections with cassava roots and fufu flour. Additionally, France is Europe’s largest producer of organic processed foods, as per Agence Bio, and cassava’s clean label status aligns with organic certification requirements. Companies like Bel Group use cassava starch in plant-based cheese alternatives to avoid synthetic thickeners.

Italy Cassava Market Analysis

Italy's cassava market growth is propelled by the rising gluten-free consumption, artisanal food innovation, and growing ethnic food demand. According to the research, over 220,000 diagnosed patients and an estimated 2 million gluten-avoiding individuals for alternative flours. Italian gluten-free pasta brands like Le Veneziane and Bionaturae use cassava starch to improve elasticity and cooking tolerance. Additionally, Italy’s large Brazilian and Nigerian communities, estimated at 150000 and 90000 respectively by ISTA, maintain demand for traditional cassava productsSpecialityty stores in Min Rom and Turin stock frozen roots and fufu flour, catering to home cooks.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

The European cassava market features moderate competition among global agribusinesses, European starch cooperatives, and specialised importers, each navigating a landscape defined by strict safety standards and niche demand drivers. The market is not dominated by volume but by technical capability, regulatory compliance and application expertise. Large players leverage scale and integrated supply chains to serve industrial and food sectors, while smaller firms focus on ethnic retail or organic segments. Competition centres on consistent quality, toxin control and functional performance rather than price alone. The absence of local cultivation makes import reliability and documentation critical differentiators. As gluten-free, plant-based and sustainable feed trends accelerate demand, companies that combine scientific validation, traceability and clean label positioning gain an advantage.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS

Some of the notable key players in the European cassava market are

• • Psaltry International Company
• • American Key Food Products
• • Grain Millers Inc.
• • Ingredion Inc. (Kerr Concentrates)
• • Archer Daniels Midland Company
• • Parchem
• • Cargill
• • Tate & Lyle PLC

Top Players in the Market

• Cargill Incorporated is a global agribusiness leader with significant involvement in the European cassava market through its supply of native cassava starch and flour to food, feed, and industrial sectors. The company sources cassava from certified sustainable supply chains in Thailand and Vietnam, ensuring compliance with EU regulations on cyanogenic glycosides and traceability. Globally, Cargill leverages its extensive logistics network to deliver consistent quality cassava derivatives to European manufacturers. In Europe, the company has strengthened its position by aligning its cassava portfolio with the European Commission’s clean label and allergen-free food initiatives.
• Tereos Group is a major European cooperative specialising in starch and plant-based ingredients with a strategic focus on alternative crops, including cassava. The company supplies native cassava starch to food processors and industrial clients across Western Europeemphasising traceability and functional performance. Tereos contributes to the global market by promoting cassava as a resilient non-cereal starch source aligned with EU agricultural diversification goals.
• Ingredion Incorporated is a leading global ingredient solutions provider that supplies functional cassava starches and flours to European food and beverage manufacturers. The company focuses on clean label and plant-based applications, leveraging cassava’s neutral taste and binding properties to replace modified starches and synthetic additives. Global, ly Ingredion drives innovation in cassava processing to enhance viscosity stability and digestibility for specialised diets. In Europe, the company has deepened its market engagement by certifying its cassava ingredients under EU organic and gluten-free standards. Ingredion introduced a pre-gelatinised cassava starch for instant plant-based sauces and soups, enabling faster rehydration and smoother texture in ready meal formulations aligned with European convenience food trends.

Top Strategies Used by the Key Market Players

Key players in the European cassava market prioritise regulatory compliance by ensuring all imports meet European Food Safety Authority limits for cyanogenic glycosides and adhere to allergen labelling rules. They invest in traceability systems, including blockchain and third-party certifications, to build trust with food manufacturers and retailers. Companies develop clean-label and functional cassava ingredients tailored for gluten-free, plant-based based and industrial applications to meet evolving consumer and regulatory demands. Strategic partnership with the European food-processing institution enhances product validation and market access. Vendors also diversify sourcing from multiple tropical regions to mitigate supply chain risks and ensure consistent quality. These strategies collectively address Europe’s unique blend of safety requirements, healthconsciousnesss and industrial functionality expectations.

MARKET SEGMENTATION

This research report on the European cassava market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on categories.

By Product Type

• Cassava Roots
• Cassava Chips
• Cassava Flour
• Native Cassava Starch
• Other product types

By Form

• Fresh
• Dried
• Frozen

By End Use Industry

• Food and Beverage
• Animal Feed
• Industrial
• Biofuels
• Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care

By Country

• UK
• France
• Spain
• Germany
• Italy
• Russia
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• Turkey
• Czech Republic
• Rest of Europe