Potato market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the Argentine potato market volume grew steadily from 2.5 million tons to nearly 3 million tons. This expansion was primarily driven by increasing per capita consumption, which reached around 52 kg per year, supported by recovering purchasing power and higher demand from the food service sector. The reopening of bars and restaurants after the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic further boosted demand, particularly for processed potato products, as consumers shifted toward convenient food options. Additionally, efforts to enhance productivity through improved coordination between public and private actors, such as the extension campaign led by the National University of Mar del Plata, contributed to sustaining production growth.

The trend reversed from 2022 onward, with market volume dropping to 2.2 million tons in 2022 and 2.1 million tons in 2023. A sharp decline in production, combined with persistent oversupply in the domestic market, exerted strong downward pressure on prices. More than 85% of production remained in the local market, leading to a price collapse that eroded grower profitability. By 2024, the crisis intensified as planted area expanded and favorable weather resulted in overproduction without adequate export outlets, causing potato prices to halve and forcing growers to abandon harvests in some provinces.

Production potato in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina was among the world's leading potato producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 26th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Argentina's potato production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 884 thousand tons of potatoes, marking a 10.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production rose by 17.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

Exports potato from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Argentina exported 60 711 tons of potatoes, showing a slight contraction of 0.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 39.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 40 417 tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 61 086 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 7.1% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 51.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Paraguay remained the leading buyer of Argentine potatoes, accounting for 82.0% of total exports in volume, while the remainder was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes reached their peak in 2019 and hit their lowest point in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Argentina's potato export value was recorded at 5 202 thousand US dollars, representing a 32.6% decrease compared to the previous year. The minimum value was in 2018 at 3 452 thousand US dollars, and the maximum was in 2019 at 7 718 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 45.8% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 123.6% surge.

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

During 2017-2020, two key markets—Paraguay and Brazil—together accounted for 97.1% of Argentina's total potato exports in value terms, with the remaining share spread across a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Imports potato to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 661 tons, while the highest was in 2017, resulting in a 10.2-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Argentina's potato import volume totaled 3 928 tons, showing a steep rise of 47.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 79.7% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Chile were the primary sources of Argentina's potato imports in volume, together representing 99.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import values reached their lowest point in 2019 at 430 thousand US dollars and their peak in 2017, showing an 18-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Argentina's potato import value reached 972 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep increase of 126.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 78.7% drop.

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

In 2017-2020, Brazil and Chile dominated Argentina's potato imports in value terms, with their combined share reaching 97.4% of total flows.

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

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