Potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Eastern Africa expanded from 12.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 14.5 thousand tons in 2019. This growth was driven by government subsidies for agricultural inputs, which tripled potato productivity, and the introduction of new high-yield potato varieties from the International Potato Center. The adoption of the Rwanda Soil Information System technology also provided precise fertilizer recommendations, boosting production efficiency.

In 2020, market volume contracted sharply to 10.3 thousand tons. This decline occurred despite an increase in cultivated area, as reported challenges in production efficiency led to lower output. The market then stabilized, with volumes around 10.5 thousand tons in 2021 and 2022, before rebounding to 12.1 thousand tons in 2023. The recovery in 2023 was supported by a surge in imports, which reached 4.1 thousand tons.

During 2024, the government signed a multimillion-dollar investment deal with a Nigerian investor to revamp the potato industry and launched a new strategic plan focusing on potato value chains, which includes measures to expand cultivation and improve practices.

Production potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets, 2017-2020

Eastern Africa's production of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, the region produced 10 076 tonnes, marking a 29.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 312 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 16.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Eastern Africa's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets rebounded. In 2020, the region exported 30.1 tonnes, an 8.7% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 31%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 27.7 tonnes, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 29.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo led Eastern Africa's export structure in volume, accounting for 37.0% of exports. Canada followed with 11.7%, and Sudan with 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented 58.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market for potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets from Eastern Africa showed volatility during the observed period. In 2020, export value reached 53.0 thousand US dollars, a significant 164.8% increase from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 103.4 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 20.0 thousand US dollars, resulting in a 5.2-fold variation between these years. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 80.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Eastern Africa's export value, contributing 55.0% of total exports. Sudan accounted for 12.8%, and Belgium for 4.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 72.1% of export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The import market for potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in Eastern Africa exhibited volatility. In 2020, the region imported a total volume, indicating a 14.2% year-on-year decrease. The highest import volume was observed in 2017, with the lowest in 2018, showing a 2.1-fold gap between these years. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 140.9 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 52.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 85.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Eastern Africa's import structure in volume was balanced rather than concentrated. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 14.4% of imports, Spain for 12.3%, and India for 11.8%. Together, these three countries represented 38.5% of total import flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 61.5%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled 329.1 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 8.2% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 23.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 222.1 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 48.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 37.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets to Eastern Africa in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Spain accounted for 20.7% of imports, South Africa for 14.3%, and France for 13.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 48.2% of total import flows.

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

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