Frozen prepared potatoes market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian frozen prepared potato market volume reached 248.8 thousand tons in 2018 and grew to 251.1 thousand tons in 2019, supported by strong demand from expanding fast-food chains, a growing foodservice sector, and rising consumer preference for quick-preparation products. However, in 2020, market volume dropped sharply to 208.6 thousand tons.

A recovery followed in 2021, with volume returning to 252.6 thousand tons, and then a significant expansion to 303.7 thousand tons in 2022. In value terms, the market increased from 282.0 million dollars in 2018 to 379.6 million dollars in 2022. High import levels of around 287 thousand tons in 2023 and 286.8 thousand tons in 2024 indicated sustained demand. This was underpinned by rising at-home consumption of frozen potatoes, which became the second most preferred frozen product, and product innovations such as Pizzoli's launch of oven-bakeable fries without added oil. The ongoing expansion of fast-food outlets, particularly McDonald’s, also contributed to out-of-home consumption.

Production frozen prepared potatoes in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, Italy's output of frozen prepared potatoes reached its peak value of 1 826 K $ US. However, by 2020, production had declined to 1 376 K $ US, marking a 24.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 21.7%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 7.8%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production grew by 3.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy's production of frozen prepared potatoes peaked in 2019 at 2 175 t. In 2020, output dropped sharply to 1 503 t, representing a significant 30.9% decline from the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 29.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.0%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a growth of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports frozen prepared potatoes from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of frozen prepared potatoes in kind grew for two consecutive years before declining in 2020. In 2019, exports reached their highest level at 3.2 K t. The following year, exports fell slightly to 3.2 K t, a decrease of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 37.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when exports surged by 38.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's exports of frozen prepared potatoes in kind were highly diversified. The top three destinations—Malta (25.9% of exports), France (15.4%), and Japan (7.4%)—collectively accounted for just 48.7% of total export flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position in the export structure during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's exports of frozen prepared potatoes in value terms remained nearly unchanged in 2020 at 6.0 M $ US, compared to 6.2 M $ US in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 19.8%, with a CAGR of 6.2%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 6.2 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with growth of 23.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's frozen prepared potatoes were exported to a wide range of markets. Even the largest destinations—France, Malta, and Japan—together represented only 44.0% of total export value, indicating a diversified export structure.

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

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

Imports frozen prepared potatoes to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of frozen prepared potatoes in kind peaked in 2019 at 252.1 K t. In 2020, imports fell to 210.3 K t, a decrease of 16.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 16.2%, with a CAGR of -5.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a modest growth of 0.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's imports of frozen prepared potatoes in kind were heavily concentrated among three main suppliers. The Netherlands (31.2% of imports), Belgium (28.2%), and France (21.1%) together accounted for 80.4% of total import volumes, making them the primary sources.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's imports of frozen prepared potatoes in value terms declined in 2020. Imports peaked in 2019 at 298.6 M $ US, then fell to 240.6 M $ US in 2020, a substantial decrease of 19.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 13.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 4.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with growth of 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's imports of frozen prepared potatoes in value terms were dominated by three key suppliers. The Netherlands (31.8% of import value), France (30.2%), and Belgium (21.0%) together absorbed 83.1% of total import value, solidifying their positions as the main sources.

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

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