Frozen potatoes market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

After a contraction to 113 thousand tons in 2019, linked to price pressures in key markets like Kenya which indicated softened demand, the frozen potato market in Sub-Saharan Africa entered a phase of expansion. Growth resumed in 2020 and accelerated sharply in 2021, with the market volume reaching 132.3 thousand tons. This surge was primarily driven by the widespread adoption of drought-tolerant and late blight-resistant potato varieties across the region, which lowered raw material costs and significantly boosted the supply of potatoes available for processing into frozen products.

The market stabilized near 130 thousand tons in 2022, influenced by a slight dip in overall potato production in South Africa that temporarily constrained the supply base. This period also saw the expansion of local processing facilities and cold chain infrastructure, which helped maintain market stability. Strong growth returned in 2023, with consumption climbing to 136.3 thousand tons. This increase was fueled by a pronounced consumer shift from fresh to processed and frozen potato products, a trend propelled by ongoing urbanization and the rapid expansion of quick-service restaurant chains. Concurrent investments in refrigerated logistics further supported this growth by enhancing product quality and distribution.

Production frozen potatoes in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

World map of production of frozen potatoes, 2017-2020

Sub-Saharan Africa's frozen potato production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 112.0 thousand tonnes of frozen potatoes, marking a moderate 5.2% increase compared to 2019. Production grew by 2.5% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 103.0 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 5.7% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports frozen potatoes from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 40-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 8 008 tonnes of frozen potatoes, representing a steep 32.6% decline compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 297 tonnes, while the maximum reached 11 877 tonnes in 2019. The largest decline of 72.2% occurred in 2018, followed by the largest increase of 3 894.0% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign frozen potato supplies from Sub-Saharan Africa reached 7 740 thousand US dollars, marking an intense 34.4% year-over-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 32.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 12.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 11 799 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 14.7% occurring that same year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was centered on the Netherlands, which accounted for 0.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports frozen potatoes to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of frozen potatoes to Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 14 624 tonnes, representing a 20.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 51.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -21.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner portfolio for frozen potato imports to Sub-Saharan Africa was quite broad. The Netherlands accounted for 15.6% of imports in kind, Belgium for 10.6%, and Morocco for 6.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 32.2% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Frozen potato imports to Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 8 895 thousand US dollars worth of frozen potatoes, down 42.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 60.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -26.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, imports in value terms of frozen potatoes to Sub-Saharan Africa were spread relatively evenly. The Netherlands accounted for 9.2% of imports in value terms, Belgium for 8.3%, and Morocco for 1.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 19.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020