Potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Greek market for potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets fluctuated within a range of 4 900 to 5 300 tonnes. The initial period was influenced by overproduction of raw potatoes and a disorganized market, which led to large‑scale imports and practices such as illegal 'Hellenization' of products, creating pressure on domestic processors.

Market volume contracted to 4 335 tonnes in 2021, a year when the domestic potato harvest remained substantial but imported products maintained a strong presence. A partial recovery followed in 2022, lifting the market size to 4 980 tonnes.

Starting in 2023, the market expanded sharply, exceeding 7 700 tonnes that year. This surge was driven by a steep increase in imports, a trend that continued into 2024 as drought and high production costs constrained Greek potato cultivation. Simultaneously, Europe‑wide seed shortages and supply gaps prompted greater shipments from Egypt and Cyprus, while retail potato prices rose by up to 40% compared to 2021.

Production potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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, Greece produced 1.2 thousand tonnes of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets, representing a 9.4% decline compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets from Greece

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2019 to 2020, the peak-to-trough amplitude was 4.3 times. In 2020, Greece exported 140 tonnes of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets, marking a 76.9% loss compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 608 tonnes, with the largest increase that year reaching 272.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Albania were the main markets for Greece's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in kind. Cyprus accounted for 52.4% of exports, Bulgaria for 25.1%, and Albania for 11.1%, together making up 88.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets deliveries from Greece totalled 347 thousand US dollars, which is 31.0% less than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 229 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 504 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 120.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Albania formed the main cluster of markets for Greece's exports in value terms. Cyprus accounted for 52.0% of exports, Bulgaria for 17.0%, and Albania for 16.2%, together representing 85.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets to Greece

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Greece's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets totalled 4 096 tonnes, marking a significant decline of 12.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 26.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 3 781 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 32.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 23.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Germany, and Belgium were the principal destinations for Greece's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in kind. Bulgaria accounted for 52.2% of imports, Germany for 14.1%, and Belgium for 11.2%, together making up 77.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Greece's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets declined. In 2020, Greece imported a total of 4 109 thousand US dollars of these products, corresponding to a slight decline of 1.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 29.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 159 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 16.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria stood out as the main markets for Greece's imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 23.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 18.2%, and Bulgaria for 18.0%, together representing 59.5% of total flows.

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

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