Frozen prepared potatoes market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

Starting in 2018, Swedish consumer interest in preparing potatoes by methods other than boiling began a sustained rise, growing 49% by 2023 and shifting demand away from table potatoes toward convenient frozen prepared products. This long-term trend in cooking habits created a favorable foundation for market expansion, supported by the strong presence of leading brands like Felix, which utilized Swedish-grown potatoes in its production facilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly accelerated market dynamics, increasing overall potato interest and prompting major brands such as Felix, Findus, and Dafgårds to launch new frozen products targeting demand for quick and healthier meal options. This surge, combined with a growing consumer focus on health and sustainability that influenced product development, helped drive physical market volume from 79 576 t in 2020 to 91 751 t in 2022. The market's value also rose, peaking at $108.1 million in 2021.

Subsequent years were shaped by deepening sustainability trends and regulatory developments. The EU organic production regulation (EU 2018/848) began affecting certification and operations for major producers like Orkla Foods Sverige AB, while marketing strategies increasingly emphasized environmental responsibility ahead of new data legislation. Continued innovation, fueled by a 50% increase in alternative potato cooking methods since 2018 and consumer interest in new varieties, guided the market landscape through 2024.

Production frozen prepared potatoes in Sweden

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports frozen prepared potatoes from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Sweden exported 1,499 tonnes of frozen prepared potatoes, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 40.7%. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 27.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.4%. The peak export volume occurred in 2019, reaching 2,527 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 32.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden's exports of frozen prepared potatoes were not dominated by any single market. Germany accounted for 16.0% of exports in kind, Denmark for 15.3%, and Finland for 13.8%, together making up 45.1% of the total. The remaining exports were spread across numerous smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of frozen prepared potatoes exported from Sweden was $3,074 thousand US, showing a sharp decrease of 40.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values dropped by 26.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $5,186 thousand US, which also experienced the largest annual rise of 32.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden's exports of frozen prepared potatoes in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Finland represented 14.7% of exports in value, Germany 13.2%, and Denmark 12.9%, collectively accounting for 40.8% of total flows. The rest was distributed among various other countries with smaller shares.

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

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

Imports frozen prepared potatoes to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year increase, Sweden's imports of frozen prepared potatoes declined. In 2020, imports stood at 69,635 tonnes, reflecting a gradual decrease of 6.7% from the previous year. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 74,668 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.6%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands and Belgium dominated Sweden's imports of frozen prepared potatoes in kind, together accounting for 90.2% of the total. The remaining share was spread across other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Sweden's imports of frozen prepared potatoes in value terms declined. In 2020, imports totaled $80,258 thousand US, indicating a moderate reduction of 8.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports increased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $80,258 thousand US, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Belgium were the clear leaders in Sweden's imports of frozen prepared potatoes in value terms, jointly making up 88.6% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares in the import market.

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

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