Wholesale Cassava Suppliers for US Buyers

US cassava production is minimal (primarily Florida and Puerto Rico for fresh ethnic markets). The vast majority of cassava products consumed in the US are imported: tapioca starch primarily from Thailand and Indonesia; cassava flour from Brazil (polvilho azedo/doce) and Nigeria; fresh roots from Costa Rica and Honduras for Caribbean and African-American ethnic markets. The gluten-free food market (valued at over $8 billion in the US) has significantly boosted cassava flour demand as a grain-free, Paleo-friendly flour substitute.

Bubble tea / boba: tapioca pearls (made from tapioca starch) are the primary ingredient in boba tea, a market that grew explosively in the US and now includes thousands of boba shops. Gluten-free baking: cassava flour (brands like Otto's Naturals, Anthony's) has become a mainstream item in natural grocery. Grain-free snacks: cassava tortilla chips (Siete Foods) and crackers are premium retail items. Thickening and texturizing: tapioca starch in puddings, soups, sauces, and frozen food manufacturing. African/Caribbean foodservice: fufu, gari, and eba are staple foods for West African diaspora communities.

Tapioca starch and cassava flour are regulated as food under FDA jurisdiction. Importers must comply with FSMA's Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP). Key FDA concerns: aflatoxin in dried cassava chips (FDA action level 20 ppb), sulphur dioxide residues in tapioca starch (if used as preservative, must meet FDA GRAS limits), and HCN in improperly processed cassava flour. All shipments require FDA Prior Notice. Organic cassava products require USDA NOP certification from the foreign producer and a valid transaction certificate.

Tapioca starch (HTSUS 1108.14.00): MFN rate free. Cassava flour (HTSUS 1106.20.90): MFN rate free. Dried cassava chips/pellets (HTSUS 0714.10.20): MFN rate 4.95 cents/kg. Fresh cassava (HTSUS 0714.10.10): MFN rate free. Thailand benefits from no preferential FTA with the US (GSP benefits for some tariff lines — verify current GSP status). Brazil and Nigeria: MFN rates apply. Most tariff lines for cassava products are low or free, making cassava highly trade-competitive.

Q: What tapioca starch specification should I use for boba pearl manufacturing? A: Specify: moisture ≤13%, starch content ≥85%, whiteness ≥88 (Kett WB-3000 or equivalent), viscosity (Brabender, 500 BU range), and HCN non-detectable. Food-grade certification (Thai FDA or equivalent), Halal if required. Premium boba manufacturers also specify origin (Thai preferred over Vietnamese for gel texture consistency).

Q: Is Otto's Naturals-type cassava flour available for private label? A: Yes. Brazilian polvilho doce (sweet cassava starch) and Nigerian-origin cassava flour are both used for premium gluten-free flour products. Request a grain-size distribution spec and confirm the absence of gluten cross-contamination. Several Brazilian exporters have USDA NOP organic certification.

Q: What are the main quality differences between Thai and Indonesian tapioca starch? A: Thai tapioca starch is generally considered the premium benchmark: consistently high whiteness, low moisture, and stable viscosity profile. Indonesian starch is slightly lower cost but can have more batch-to-batch variability in viscosity. Specify and test both to determine fit for your application.

Q: How do I source fresh cassava roots for US ethnic retail markets? A: Fresh cassava is imported primarily from Costa Rica, Honduras, and Ecuador. Look for suppliers with USDA APHIS phytosanitary certificates. Fresh roots are typically waxed to delay PPD (post-harvest physiological deterioration). Shelf life after waxing is 3–4 weeks at 0–5°C.

Q: Can I find USDA organic certified tapioca starch for my gluten-free product line? A: Yes. Several Thai and Indonesian processors hold USDA NOP organic certification. Require a valid NOP certificate and transaction certificate (TC) for each shipment. US organic label regulations require the TC be on file with the importer before the organic claim can be made on finished product packaging.