Frozen potatoes market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The frozen potato market in Southern Europe experienced a contraction between 2019 and 2020, with its size falling from $105.9 million to $88.4 million. This decline was primarily caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated movement restrictions, which significantly reduced demand from the food service sector. Although increased retail demand for packaged frozen potato products provided some offset, the overall market volume shrank.

From 2021 onward, the market entered a phase of rapid expansion, more than doubling to reach $196.1 million by 2023. This growth was driven by the expansion of potato cultivation in Europe, which increased production and contractual demand. Significant investments by major players like McCain to expand frozen french fry production capacity further fueled this growth. Concurrently, rising consumer interest in healthier, sustainable, and innovative products, including organic and non-GMO frozen potato options, supported the market's strong performance.

Production frozen potatoes in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 14 175.0 tonnes of frozen potatoes, then peaked in 2020 at 30 768.9 tonnes, representing a 2.2-fold increase. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 48.8%, while 2020 saw a significant rise of 87.6% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Frozen potato production in Southern Europe grew for the second year in a row. Output was valued at 8 445 thousand US dollars in 2018, then increased to 14 187 thousand US dollars in 2020, up 35.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.1%, averaging 0.7% annually. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 39.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports frozen potatoes from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit a low of 34.8 thousand tonnes in 2018, then climbed to 67.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, a 1.9-fold difference. The sharpest drop was in 2018 at 31.8%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase of 76.9%. In 2020, exports rose by 9.6% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Romania, and France were the largest buyers of frozen potatoes from Southern Europe, accounting for 54.4% of total exports in volume. Germany led with 20.8%, followed by Romania at 17.8% and France at 15.8%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The market experienced an unstable trend over the period. Exports in value terms were at 20.7 million US dollars in 2018, peaked at 39.3 million in 2019, then fell to 31.1 million in 2020, showing a 1.9-fold amplitude. The largest increase was in 2019 at 89.3%, while 2020 saw a decline of 20.7% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Belgium were the main destinations for frozen potato exports from Southern Europe in value terms, together making up 51.9% of total flows. Germany accounted for 21.9%, France for 20.0%, and Belgium for 10.0%.

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

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

Imports frozen potatoes to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Frozen potato imports into Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. Imports peaked in 2018 at 201.4 thousand tonnes, then dropped to 165.2 thousand tonnes in 2020, down 16.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the key partners for frozen potato imports into Southern Europe in volume, together accounting for 78.1% of total flows. France dominated with 57.9%, followed by the Netherlands at 10.7% and Germany at 9.4%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, frozen potato imports into Southern Europe declined. Imports reached a high of 123.7 million US dollars in 2019, then fell to 104.5 million in 2020, down 15.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.6%, averaging 1.8% annually. The largest rise was in 2018 at 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium were the principal markets for frozen potato imports into Southern Europe in value terms, together representing 81.9% of total imports.

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

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