Gluten-free food producers are facing a hike in the price of a starch used to thicken free-from sauces.

Stockport-based EHL Ingredients said demand for arrowroot powder - used as a gluten-free thickening agent or alternative to cornstarch in products including soups and sauces - had grown 20% year on year. The increase in demand had come as poor weather affected crops in growing regions such as Brazil where cassava roots, one source of the starch, were considered a staple food.

EHL sales director Tasneem Backhouse said the business expected prices to rise by up to 5% in the next few months.and anticipated further increases over the coming 12 months.

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