Market research

Potato market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the potato market volume in Eastern Africa stabilized between 10.7 and 11.1 million tonnes. Climate variability, including high temperatures and droughts, influenced yields, while the identified poor agricultural practices such as mono-cropping and insufficient disease control limited production growth during these years.

The market rebounded to 11.3 million tonnes in 2021, primarily due to government interventions aimed at price stabilization and the increased use of cold storage to reduce post-harvest losses. However, in 2022, quality issues affecting supply to fast-food chains contributed to a slight contraction, bringing the market size to 11.0 million tonnes.

A notable expansion followed in 2023, with the market reaching 11.7 million tonnes. This growth was driven by rising demand for processed potatoes from the expanding fast-food industry and improved coordination among key institutions for certification and market access. Factors such as ongoing irrigation expansion continued to support productivity into 2024.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production potato in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Potato production in Eastern Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 10 734 thousand tonnes, showing no significant change from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 11 064 thousand tonnes, which marked a 12.5% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.5%	(2.8%)	(0.1%)	3.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of potato output in Eastern Africa was 4 452 million US dollars, representing an 8.5% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 20.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%. The largest decrease was in 2018, down 16.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, up 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.2%)	3.3%	(8.5%)	(7.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports potato from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Eastern Africa's potato export volume reached 30 748 tonnes, showing a slight year-over-year decline of 1.7%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 26 660 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 15.9%. The biggest increase was in 2019, with a 17.3% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.9%)	17.3%	(1.7%)	(1.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa exported 12 751 thousand US dollars worth of potatoes in 2020, reflecting a moderate year-over-year decline of 9.8%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 29.6%, with an average annual decrease of 11.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 11 344 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 37.4%. The biggest increase was in 2019, up 24.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(37.4%)	24.7%	(9.8%)	(11.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Qatar was the main market for potato exports from Eastern Africa, accounting for 0.9% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports potato to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After two years of contraction, foreign potato supplies to Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, the region imported approximately 48 805 tonnes, up 39.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 42.4%, with an average annual decline of 16.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 34 958 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, down 38.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(38.5%)	(32.9%)	39.6%	(16.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier portfolio for potato imports to Eastern Africa was diverse. South Africa contributed 21.3% of imports by volume, India 11.7%, and the Netherlands 2.3%, together making up 35.3% of total imports. Many other countries had smaller but notable shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of potato imports to Eastern Africa totaled 40 331 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 15.6% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 2.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 34 881 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 44 315 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, down 21.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.4%	(21.3%)	15.6%	0.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa, India, and the Netherlands were the primary suppliers of potatoes to Eastern Africa in value terms. South Africa accounted for 59.2% of imports, India for 10.3%, and the Netherlands for 3.8%, together making up 73.3% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io