Potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The Finnish market for potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets expanded considerably from 2018 to 2024, with volume rising from 1 250 t to 2 118 t. Early in the period, the industry faced production challenges, illustrated by the Evijärvi potato flour plant, which contended with poor harvests, financial constraints, rising labor costs, and a shortage of skilled workers. This plant produced roughly one-seventh of the country's potato flour, underscoring the sector's concentration and its susceptibility to capacity issues.

Market volume dipped to 1 089 t in 2019 but then entered a sustained growth phase, peaking at 2 365 t in 2023. This expansion occurred alongside a steep drop in exports, which fell from 501 t in 2019 to merely 3 t by 2024, effectively channeling more output toward domestic consumption. In monetary terms, the market value jumped from $2.6 million to $7.3 million, indicating higher unit prices or a shift to more value-added product forms.

In 2024, volume declined to 2 118 t, influenced by shifts in the raw-material base. The cultivation area for starch potatoes increased, but a seed shortage limited plantings that year. Consumer behavior also shaped the market, with over 70% of buyers emphasizing price and half prioritizing domestic origin, guiding product development. Furthermore, suppliers like Finnamyl began offering organic potato flour from domestic starch potatoes, reflecting the market's segmentation and growing demand for organic options.

Production potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's production of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 221 thousand US dollars, marking a modest increase of 2.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 910 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.4%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 8.3% rise.

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

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

In 2020, Finland produced 1 351 tonnes of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets, showing a moderate decline of 7.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.1%, translating to an average annual drop of 4.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 210 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 22.1%. On the other hand, the largest increase was in 2019, with a 20.4% growth.

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

Exports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets from Finland

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Finland's export volume of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets reached 261.6 tonnes, representing a significant drop of 47.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 40.6%, with an average annual decrease of 15.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 501.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 63.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden and Estonia were the primary buyers of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets from Finland, together accounting for 86.4% of total exports in volume. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Finland's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets amounted to 607.6 thousand US dollars, down by 26.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 33.2%, with an average annual decline of 12.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a 5.2% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Estonia, and the Netherlands remained the key markets for Finland's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in value terms. Sweden accounted for 66.9% of exports, while Estonia and the Netherlands each held 12.3%. Together, these three countries made up 91.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets to Finland

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Import levels varied significantly, with a 3.4-fold difference between the low of 2019 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Finland imported 453.4 tonnes of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets, reflecting a sharp increase of 240.4% from 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 133.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 61.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland were the leading sources for imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets to Finland in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 49.9% of imports, Germany for 27.7%, and Poland for 20.1%. Combined, these three countries represented 97.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Finland's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets were valued at 488.4 thousand US dollars, up by 31.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 29%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 372.3 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland formed the main group of destinations for imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets to Finland in value terms. The Netherlands held 43.1% of imports, Germany 36.4%, and Poland 15.8%. Together, they accounted for 95.3% of total import flows.

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

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