Frozen potatoes market in Canada

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen potato market in Canada began the period at 1 202 thousand tonnes in 2018, then contracted to 1 096 thousand tonnes by 2020. This decline was directly linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the hotel, restaurant, and institutional sector, a key channel for frozen potato consumption.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, with market size reaching 1 231 thousand tonnes. This recovery was fueled by growing retail sales in Quebec, where major retailers reported increased market share for potato-based products, including snack items that gained popularity during the pandemic.

Market volume then fluctuated near 1 218-1 271 thousand tonnes in 2022-2023. Regional factors played a role: abundant supplies from Western Canada and the United States pressured prices and trade flows in 2022, while in 2023, volumes were redirected from West to East to meet processing plant demand. Simultaneously, a broader consumer shift toward frozen vegetables for convenience and longer shelf life provided underlying support for the market.

Production frozen potatoes in Canada

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Canada was the leading producer of frozen potatoes from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

Canada's frozen potato production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 096 thousand tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 201 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 2.8%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant drop of 6.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Canada in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports frozen potatoes from Canada

Exports in kind, t

Canada's frozen potato exports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 1 025 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 99.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 476.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 79.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Canada's frozen potato exports in volume, accounting for 89.5% of total shipments, while other destinations played a relatively minor role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Canada's frozen potato exports in value terms rose for the third straight year. In 2020, export value reached 949 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 137.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 307%, with an average annual rate of 59.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017–2020, the United States absorbed 85.6% of Canada's total frozen potato export value, with the remainder distributed among a variety of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Canada in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen potatoes to Canada

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Canada imported 1 636 tonnes of frozen potatoes, a sharp decrease of 40.7% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 87.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary source for Canada's frozen potato imports in volume, making up 78.6% of total imports, while other origins contributed less significantly.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Imports hit their minimum in 2017 and their maximum in 2019, with a 3.9-fold variation over this period. In 2020, the import value for frozen potatoes in Canada was 1 810 thousand US dollars, which is 61.7% lower than the previous year. The most notable increase was in 2018 at 117.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017–2020, the United States remained the dominant partner for Canada's frozen potato imports in value, holding an 83.6% share of total flows, with other markets forming a long tail of smaller contributors.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Canada in value, 2017-2020