Frozen potatoes market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Central Asian frozen potato market began the period with the launch of the region's first frozen french fry and potato flake plant in Uzbekistan in late 2018, a development aimed at increasing local production capacity. Market volume initially dipped to 10,830 t in 2019 but then surged by 19% to 12,876 t in 2020, driven primarily by a sharp rise in imports.

In 2021, the market receded to 12,016 t. This decline coincided with unfavorable weather conditions in Russia and Belarus, key supplier regions, which reduced potato exports to Central Asia and tightened supply, likely affecting consumption volumes. The contraction accelerated in 2022, with the market shrinking by a further 19% to 9,682 t.

A partial recovery followed in 2023, as volume grew 14% to 10,990 t. During this year, Kazakhstan planned to launch a frozen french fry production facility with Iranian investment, while Uzbekistan faced a potato shortage due to poor harvests in neighboring countries and logistics constraints, factors that influenced regional trade and availability.

Production frozen potatoes in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

Central Asia's frozen potato production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 503 tonnes of frozen potatoes, marking a modest 6.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%. Production peaked in 2018 at 10 860 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports frozen potatoes from Central Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 12 230 times. In 2020, frozen potato exports from Central Asia totaled 40 tonnes, representing a dramatic year-over-year increase of 160 706.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia remained the primary buyer of frozen potatoes from Central Asia, accounting for 45.6% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile during these years. The period from 2017 to 2019 saw a peak-to-trough amplitude of 10 661 times. In 2020, frozen potato deliveries from Central Asia reached 37.4 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp year-over-year increase of 398 598.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia held the largest share of frozen potato exports from Central Asia in value terms, accounting for 69.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports frozen potatoes to Central Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 13.4-fold difference between the low of 2018 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Central Asia imported 3 414 tonnes of frozen potatoes, a dramatic 425.1% increase from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 255 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 55.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia dominated imports by volume, accounting for 83.3% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports reached their peak in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, with a 5.4-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Central Asia's frozen potato imports reached 253.4 thousand US dollars, which is 247.6% higher than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 72.9 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 65.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia (63.7% of imports in value terms), Belarus (5.0%), and Poland (3.1%) were the principal destinations for imports, jointly accounting for 71.8% of total flows.

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

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