Corn starch markets in the United States showed tightening spot liquidity and firmer producer sentiment through mid-March 2026, following a largely stable start in February. Market activity strengthened in the weeks leading into mid-March as bids and offers narrowed, and participants reassessed short-term supply risks. Seasonal processing rates remained broadly normal, while demand from packaging converters, snack-food manufacturers, and adhesive producers stayed steady. Converters supplying corrugated and linerboard sectors maintained regular shipments, supporting binder demand, while snack-food processors recorded a modest increase in offtake. Adhesive manufacturers largely relied on contracted volumes, keeping spot liquidity limited. The February assessment indicated a neutral trend for Corn Starch FOB Los Angeles, though sentiment turned firmer by mid-March. On the supply side, elevated maize feedstock and energy costs continued to pressure producer margins. Escalating geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, kept energy prices elevated, supporting firmer quotations and upward price expectations in the coming weeks.
