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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in Southern Africa grew from 15,847 t to 20,592 t. This expansion was supported by ongoing research, cultivar development, and improved production practices, which enhanced potato yields and contributed to higher domestic output. At the same time, rising informal consumption of fresh potatoes and the advocacy role of Potatoes SA helped shape market conditions.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume declined to 17,173 t in 2021 and then dropped sharply to 6,508 t in 2022 and 3,885 t in 2023. This contraction coincided with global supply chain disruptions, including heat waves that affected potato quality and availability, reducing production. Regional trade dynamics, such as border closures in some African countries, also limited export opportunities and further pressured the market.

In 2024, despite frost in Limpopo that limited the growth of large potatoes, potato supplies remained stable with higher volumes than in 2023. Major retailers entered the potato segment, recognizing its importance in the informal economy, while consumer trends shifted toward processed potato products and potato-based vegan foods.

Production potato flour, flakes, granules and pellets in Southern 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

Southern Africa's production of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 17 847 tonnes, marking a 12.6% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Africa exported 622 tonnes of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets, a 27.5% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 51.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -21.6%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018, at 49.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 31.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Southern Africa's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets. Zimbabwe accounted for 17.8% of exports in kind, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha for 9.7%, and Zambia for 2.2%. Together, these three made up just 29.7% of total exports, with the rest spread across numerous smaller partners, each holding modest shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Southern Africa's exports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets were valued at 1 008 thousand US dollars, a slight decrease of 2.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 37%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 979 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 38.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, at 5.1%.

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

The country composition of Southern Africa's exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. Zimbabwe contributed 15.1% of export value, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 6.2%, and Zambia 3.4%. Combined, these three accounted for only 24.7% of total flows, with the remaining 75.3% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 3.4-fold difference between the low of 1 004 tonnes in 2018 and the high of 3 367 tonnes in 2020. In 2020, imports surged by 56.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, at 38.0%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, at 114.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main sources for Southern Africa's imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets in kind. Belgium accounted for 33.9% of imports, the Netherlands for 20.5%, and Germany for 16.5%. Together, they represented 70.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market. The period saw a peak in 2020 and a trough in 2018, with a three-fold swing between them. In 2020, imports of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets into Southern Africa amounted to 3 875 thousand US dollars, a 52.8% increase year-over-year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 1 300 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest decline of 47.5%. The biggest increase was in 2019, at 95.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of potato flour, flakes, granules, and pellets to Southern Africa in value terms. Belgium made up 30.0% of import value, Germany 18.0%, and the Netherlands 16.7%. Combined, they formed 64.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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