Potato market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The Egyptian potato market volume grew from 4.6 million tons in 2018 to 6.3 million tons in 2020. This initial expansion was supported by a national project to produce seed potatoes, which aimed to increase local supply and reduce reliance on imports from the European Union. The country's established role as a leading vegetable exporter, with potato shipments often exceeding 430,000 tons, provided a strong production foundation.

Market volume dipped to 5.9 million tons in 2021 before recovering to 6.4 million tons in 2022. The rebound was driven by shifting consumer preferences toward healthy diets that include potatoes, a trend accelerated by rising urbanization and disposable income across Egypt.

A significant surge brought the market to 8 million tons in 2023. This growth was primarily fueled by major investments in advanced agricultural and processing technologies, particularly for value-added products like fried potatoes, which expanded overall production capacity despite a sharp rise in seed potato prices that increased farming costs.

Production potato in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Egypt was among the world's leading potato producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 12th globally by production volume.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Egypt's potato production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 6 786 K t of potatoes, representing a 30.5% year-over-year growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 40.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Egypt's potato production value also grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 568 M $ US, reflecting a modest 7.9% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 53.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.4%.

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

Exports potato from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

Egypt's potato exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 600.8 K t, marking a moderate 7.5% year-over-year gain. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 23.7%, with an annualized decline of 8.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 503.2 K t, which saw the largest decline of 36.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Greece, and Lebanon were the main markets for Egypt's potato exports by volume. Russia accounted for 33.3% of exports, Greece for 12.0%, and Lebanon for 7.6%, together representing 53.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Egypt's potato exports amounted to 227.3 M $ US, showing a solid decline of 11.1% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 207.1 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 23.9%. Conversely, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, Greece, and Lebanon remained the primary markets for Egypt's potato exports by value. Russia accounted for 32.9% of exports, Greece for 12.2%, and Lebanon for 7.6%, collectively representing 52.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

Egypt's potato imports showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 114.9 K t, indicating an intense decline of 81.7% compared to 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 628.7 K t, which saw the largest increase of 386.2%. Overall, there was a 5.5-fold gap between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France were the main suppliers of potatoes to Egypt by volume. The United Kingdom accounted for 34.7% of imports, the Netherlands for 30.9%, and France for 16.2%, together forming 81.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Egypt's potato import value stood at 77.2 M $ US, down by 27.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 10%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 106.0 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 28.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France remained the principal suppliers of potatoes to Egypt by value. The United Kingdom accounted for 35.4% of imports, the Netherlands for 29.5%, and France for 16.7%, jointly accounting for 81.6% of total import value.

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

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