Frozen prepared potatoes market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, production of frozen prepared potatoes in Norway increased from 20 525 t to 25 899 t, and market volume grew similarly. This expansion was driven by agricultural innovations, including the development of new potato varieties with improved traits and taste, such as the Perlepoteten from Frosta, which aimed to meet evolving consumer demand. Concurrently, surveys revealed a strong consumer preference for Norwegian food, with 62% of the population choosing domestic products when possible, further stimulating the market for locally sourced frozen potatoes.

After peaking in 2019, production declined to 24 848 t in 2020 and fell sharply to 18 827 t by 2022. The significant drop in 2022 was primarily caused by extreme summer weather that reduced potato harvests and storage levels across the country. In response, the Norwegian Agricultural Authority introduced percentage tariffs on potato imports from September 2022 to bolster domestic production. Major processors like Hoff and Findus continued to invest in local production facilities, focusing on sustainable sourcing and short supply chains to maintain their market presence.

In subsequent years, the market faced continued pressures. Norwegian potato production fell by an estimated 16% in 2023 from the previous year, leading to depleted storage and prompting the authorities to set import duty rates to zero from September 2023 to ensure adequate supply. Ongoing research into disease-resistant, gene-edited potato varieties and sustained investment by large producers aimed to strengthen the sector's resilience. During this period, imports of frozen prepared potatoes rose steadily, reaching 443 t in 2025, indicating a growing reliance on foreign products to complement domestic supply.

Production frozen prepared potatoes in Norway

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Norway's production of frozen prepared potatoes declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 37 526 thousand US dollars, marking a modest 7.8% drop from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, production fell by 10%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2020, Norway produced 24 848 tonnes of frozen prepared potatoes, showing a modest 4.1% decrease from the year before. Production actually increased by 21.1% between 2018 and 2020, averaging 6.6% growth per year. The peak was in 2019 at 25 899 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 26.2% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports frozen prepared potatoes from Norway

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Exports peaked in 2019 at 18.1 tonnes, then fell to their lowest point in 2021 at 0.0 tonnes—a dramatic 6 041-fold difference. In 2021, Norway's exports amounted to 0.0 tonnes, down 99.9% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 96.1% of Norway's total exports of frozen prepared potatoes by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during this period. Exports reached their peak in 2019 at 64.1 thousand US dollars and hit their lowest point in 2021 at 0.1 thousand US dollars, a 513-fold difference. In 2021, cross-border shipments were valued at 0.1 thousand US dollars, down 99.0% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 69.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Sweden and the Netherlands were the main partners for exports by value, together making up 85.6% of total flows, with other countries accounting for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021

Imports frozen prepared potatoes to Norway

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Norway's imports of frozen prepared potatoes rebounded. In 2021, imports reached 146.7 tonnes, up 49.4% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 44.1%, averaging 12.9% per year. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 98.2 tonnes, with the largest decline of 3.3% also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands (32.5% of imports by volume), Belgium (31.5%), and Austria (19.0%) were the primary suppliers of frozen prepared potatoes to Norway, together representing 83.0% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed volatility over the observed years. Imports varied 1.7-fold between the minimum in 2020 at 187.4 thousand US dollars and the maximum in 2021 at 324.1 thousand US dollars. In 2021, Norway imported 324.1 thousand US dollars worth of frozen prepared potatoes, a dramatic 73.0% increase compared to 2020. The largest decline was in 2020 at 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, the Netherlands (28.6% of imports by value), Belgium (24.4%), and Austria (22.5%) stood out as the main sources for imports by value, collectively accounting for 75.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021