Page 71 - FoodFocusThailand No.247 November_December 2026

SCOOPOOP
CASSAVA: SC

FROM FARM TO HIGH-VALUE

INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION

Tapioca (also known as cassava) is an economically important crop for Thailand’s agricultural and industrial
sectors. It is notable for its adaptability to differing environmental conditions and its ability to grow in relatively
low-fertility soils. As an important carbohydrate source, cassava is composed primarily of starch and can be
processed into a wide range of products.

Thailand’s cassava industry spans agriculture, crop 6) it is derived from non-genetically modified crops (non-
collection and storage, tapioca chip and pellet production, and GMO), depending on the source of the raw materials and the
the manufacture of native tapioca starch, modified starch, and relevant certification.
other value-added products. Tapioca products are used in food, In the food industry, tapioca starch serves several
animal feed, cosmetics, health products, pharmaceuticals, functional roles, including as a texturizer, thickener, gelling
paper, textiles, adhesives, chemicals, and energy. Cassava is agent, binder, emulsifier, encapsulating agent, and fat
therefore not merely a food crop or agricultural raw material; it replacer. It is used in a wide range of food products, including
is a bio-based feedstock with broad industrial potential. noodles, snacks, desserts, sauces, and other processed
Fresh cassava roots can be used in several ways, depending foods. It is also used in beverages and in health, beauty, and
on root quality, market demand, and the intended application. pharmaceutical products that require specific viscosity or texture
Processing generally falls into two main categories. The first characteristics.
is conversion into tapioca chips to extend shelf life and provide In non-food industries, tapioca starch is used as a raw material
raw material for downstream industries such as animal feed, in the production of paper, adhesives, textiles, and certain
energy, and fermentation. The second is processing into chemical products, where it serves as a binder and helps improve
native tapioca starch and modified starch, which can be product properties.
incorporated into a wide variety of food and non-food products. Beyond native starch, modified starches represent an
important category of value-added products. Tapioca starch can
Tapioca Chips: be modified through physical, chemical, or enzymatic methods
Production, Properties, and Applications to achieve properties tailored to specific applications, such as
Tapioca chips or cassava chips are produced by cleaning greater stability, improved resistance to heat and shear, and
fresh cassava roots, removing foreign matter, cutting the desired textural characteristics. The development of modified
roots into pieces, and sun-drying or otherwise reducing their starches therefore represents an important opportunity to move
moisture content to below 14%. This improves storage stability beyond commodity markets and into higher-value, specialized
and ease of use, as high moisture increases the risk of mold product segments.
growth and quality deterioration. Tapioca chips contain more
than 67% starch, making them a high-energy carbohydrate Opportunities for Thailand’s Cassava Industry
source suitable for animal feed. Because their protein content Thailand’s cassava industry benefits from continuously developed
is limited, they should be combined with ingredients that supply expertise in production and processing, together with a supply
protein, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients to create a chain extending from farmers and processing plants to animal-
balanced feed formulation. Tapioca chips can also serve as a feed producers, the ethanol industry, and the food and bio-based
fermentation feedstock, as their starch is converted into sugars product sectors. However, global competition and evolving
and subsequently used to produce ethanol or citric acid. Chip consumer demand require the industry to reduce its reliance on
quality is directly linked to root quality and processing conditions. basic products and place greater emphasis on value creation.
Key factors include moisture, starch content, foreign matter, One major opportunity lies in developing tapioca starches and
and fungal contamination, and appropriate storage practices products with specialized properties, including modified starches
that preserve nutritional value and processing performance. and functional ingredients for health-oriented foods. Another is the
comprehensive utilization of cassava and its by-products, aligned
Tapioca Starch: with the concepts of the bioeconomy and circular economy. Raw
Production, Properties, and Applications materials, by-products, and processing residues can be returned
Tapioca starch is highly important to Thailand’s tapioca- to productive use—for example, tapioca pulp can be used in
processing industry because of several distinctive properties: animal feed, energy production, or bio-based products—thereby
1) High purity, with low levels of impurities such as improving resource efficiency and reducing manufacturing waste.
protein, fat, and ash, making it suitable for further processing In the future, cassava has the potential to evolve from
or modification; an economic crop into a bio-based industrial feedstock.
2) A white appearance and a relatively neutral taste, Integrating applications across the food, feed, fuel, and
making it especially suitable as an ingredient in food products; functional food sectors will support the comprehensive
3) When heated, it forms a highly viscous paste that is utilization of cassava and create greater value throughout the
clearer than cereal-based starch pastes such as cornstarch; supply chain.
4) It has a low tendency to retrograde and retains water
well, providing good freeze–thaw stability and low syneresis;
5) It is gluten-free and can be used in products for people More Information Service Info C012
who are sensitive to gluten;
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