Starch Capsules Market Outlook:
Starch Capsules Market size was valued at USD 390.8 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 719.8 million by the end of 2035, rising at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period, i.e., 2026-2035. In 2026, the industry size of starch capsules is estimated at USD 415.4 million.
The global starch capsules market is witnessing immense growth fueled by the increasing adoption in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements. The demand for starch capsules is on the rise due to their vast consumer base, particularly in chronic disease management. The supply chain of starch raw materials to finished goods of capsules is globally integrated but faces various vulnerabilities, mainly in the production of hard empty capsules. As per the WTO report in November 2024, the U.S. imported pharmaceutical capsules from China was USD 49 million, which also includes starch capsules. The market is further driven by enhancing the mechanical stability and dissolution profiles of starch capsules to meet standards set by authorities.
International trade in starch capsules involves the export of raw materials like modified starches and the import of finished capsules for secondary pharmaceutical manufacturing. U.S. exports 42.1 million metric tons of corn to 58 countries, which highlights the availability of corn starch as a crucial raw material for the global market for starch capsules, according to a 2025 report by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council. On the other hand, corn starch is widely used in hard empty capsules in various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements, which makes the U.S. market as a critical supplier of starch-based capsules.
