Potato market in Central Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market volume in Central Asia grew consistently from 7.8 million tons in 2018 to 9.1 million tons in 2023, driven by state-led initiatives and private investment that introduced new varieties and farming technologies. This expansion was accelerated in 2019 with the opening of new production facilities and the entry of new market players, supported by legislative changes favoring local production and subsidies.

Despite pandemic-induced logistical disruptions in 2020, strengthened state support measures ensured production stability and continued growth. The market further evolved with the emergence of new segments such as organic potatoes, while tightened quality and labeling requirements from 2021 onward prompted industry modernization and higher standards.

A notable 7% surge in market volume occurred in 2022, fueled by enhanced public-private collaboration and new policies aimed at boosting exports. Growth moderated in 2023 as the market reached 9.1 million tons, yet the period saw continued investment in new production sites and stricter quality control regulations, maintaining market expansion.

Production potato in Central Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Central Asia has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 8 148 thousand tons of potatoes, representing a 2.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of potato output in Central Asia reached 3 232 million US dollars, up 5.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 16.1%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 388 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 9.9%. The most significant increase was in 2018, with a rise of 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports potato from Central Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 42.4 thousand tons and peaked in 2017, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of potatoes from Central Asia totaled 96.6 thousand tons, marking a sharp increase of 32.1% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 59.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 72.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Ukraine consistently held the top positions in the export structure by volume, together accounting for 1.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Potato exports from Central Asia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 38 320 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 36.5% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 18 934 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 54.1%. The most significant increase was in 2019, with a jump of 48.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the two main export destinations—Russia and Ukraine—together accounted for 2.3% of the total export value of potatoes from Central Asia.

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

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

Imports potato to Central Asia

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes varied 2.2 times, from a low of 104.9 thousand tons in 2019 to a high in 2020. In 2020, Central Asia's potato imports reached 233.0 thousand tons, representing a sharp gain of 122.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 50.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Central Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the import landscape by volume was diverse, with Pakistan (14.9% of imports), Russia (11.2% of imports), and the Netherlands (2.3% of imports) together forming only 28.4% of total flows. The remaining 71.6% came from many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, potato imports to Central Asia stood at 52 623 thousand US dollars, reflecting an abrupt increase of 63.7% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 32 154 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value was in 2018 at 56 690 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 43.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports by value were spread across many countries, with Pakistan (16.7% of imports), the Netherlands (12.5% of imports), and Russia (11.3% of imports) jointly accounting for only 40.6% of total flows.

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

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