Potato market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

Brazil's potato production demonstrated a clear upward trend from 2018 to 2023, climbing from 3 729 thousand tons to 4 189 thousand tons. This growth was primarily supported by the expansion of the frozen french fry processing industry, which consistently demanded more raw potatoes. Farmers responded by increasing the area planted for industrial use, a shift highlighted in 2021 when the total potato area rose by an estimated 3.4%, largely dedicated to supplying processors.

Strategic market moves by the global player McCain significantly influenced this expansion. Starting with acquisitions of local companies in 2018 and 2019, McCain later began constructing a new factory in Minas Gerais in 2022 to scale up domestic production. Concurrently, record-high potato productivity in 2023, driven by technological advances and improved farm management, delivered a substantial boost to overall output, ensuring ample supply for both fresh and processed market segments.

Production potato in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Brazil held the 20th position globally in potato production.

Top producers of potato, 2018-2021

World map of production of potato, 2018-2021

Brazil's potato production grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 3 853 thousand tons of potatoes, a modest increase of 2.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was in 2019, at 3 712 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 0.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports potato from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Brazil's potato exports totaled 6 440 tons, a 29.1% decrease from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 486 tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 80.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 265.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina dominated Brazil's potato export structure in volume terms, accounting for 78.7% of total flows, while numerous smaller partners made up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.8-fold difference. In 2021, Brazil's potato exports in value terms amounted to 2 024 thousand US dollars, a decline of 32.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 621 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 66.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 2 983 thousand US dollars, marking the largest increase of 380.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina and Uruguay were the clear leaders in Brazil's export partner structure in value terms, with other countries collectively forming the remaining share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Brazil in value, 2018-2021

Imports potato to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes were at their lowest in 2018 and reached their highest in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.5 times. In 2021, potato imports into Brazil amounted to 6 910 tons, a sharp decrease of 47.4% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 26 942 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 552.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 51.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina and the Netherlands dominated Brazil's potato imports in volume terms, together accounting for 85.8% of total flows, while other destinations had smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes varied 2.6 times from the low in 2018 to the high in 2019. In 2021, foreign potato supplies to Brazil registered 9 021 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a limited contraction of 8.7% from a year earlier. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 829 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 160.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 33.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands and Argentina dominated Brazil's imports in value terms, together accounting for 83.2% of total flows, with other destinations having smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Brazil in value, 2018-2021