This document discusses trends in global trade of carbohydrates like cassava, and what this means for cassava value chains. It notes that Asia and Africa import carbohydrates while the Americas and Europe export them. Trade in cassava peaked in the 1980s but has declined, though intra-Asian trade remains strong from Thailand to China. Africa has potential to develop cassava value chains if incomes rise and coastal demand grows. Chinese support for corn affected Asian cassava prices and trade flows. The best outlook is for regions importing feed grains, where cassava can compete as a local crop.