Potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Chile showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. After a decline in 2019, it recovered in 2020 but fell again in 2021. A sharp expansion to 14 823 t occurred in 2022, primarily driven by a substantial increase in imports of potato flour and prepared potato products, particularly from the Netherlands and Germany, amid global supply chain pressures and rising costs for fertilizers and energy linked to the Russia-Ukraine war. The market then contracted by over 26% in 2023, as a surge in wholesale potato prices and a reduction in certified seed potato planting area, especially in the Los Lagos Region, constrained domestic production and import volumes.

Regulatory measures affected market operations early in the period. In 2018, the implementation of Law No. 20,949 standardized the format of potato sacks to 25 kg, altering product presentation in wholesale and retail channels. Chile's reliance on imported processed potato products became more pronounced, with import values and volumes for items like potato flour rising significantly during 2022. This import dependency intersected with global factors, as international flour price increases affected local production costs for potato-derived goods.

Domestic production faced ongoing pressure from input cost inflation and variable agricultural conditions. While export values for fresh and processed potatoes grew in 2023, the domestic market volume was more directly influenced by the availability and price of imported potato flour and raw materials. The overall market trajectory highlights its sensitivity to international trade flows, local crop area decisions, and external price shocks in key inputs.

Production potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Chile ranked 24th globally in potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets production from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2018-2021

World map of production of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2018-2021

In 2021, Chile produced 4 935 tonnes of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets, a 19.7% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.7%. The highest production level was in 2020 at 6 144 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.6%.

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

Exports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets from Chile

Exports in kind, t

Chile's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets grew for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 112 tonnes—a 128.6% increase from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports surged by 303.9%, with a CAGR of 59.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Venezuela and Bolivia remained the top export markets in volume terms, jointly accounting for 88.4% of total flows, while other partners played a smaller role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Chile's export value of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets rose for the third straight year in 2021, reaching 116 thousand US dollars—a 26.8% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value grew by 70.2%, with a CAGR of 19.4%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Bolivia and Venezuela were the leading export destinations in value terms, together making up 85.5% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets to Chile

Imports in kind, t

Chile's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets increased for the second consecutive year in 2021, reaching 6 942 tonnes—a 0.6% rise from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports declined by 7.1%, with a CAGR of -2.4%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 6 369 tonnes, which saw the largest annual drop of 14.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 8.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (36.3% of import volume), the Netherlands (33.0%), and Russia (13.2%) were the main suppliers of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets to Chile, together comprising 82.4% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Chile's import value of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets was 9 272 thousand US dollars, a 0.9% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 5%, with a CAGR of -1.7%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 9 192 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 6.5%, while the highest value was in 2019 at 9 832 thousand US dollars.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany (37.3% of import value), the Netherlands (32.0%), and Russia (11.9%) were the largest suppliers of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets to Chile in value terms, together forming 81.1% of total import value.

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

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