Potato market in Estonia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the fresh potato market in Estonia experienced considerable shifts between 2018 and 2023. It started at 65 204 t in 2018, grew strongly to 83 864 t in 2019, and reached a peak of 89 020 t in 2020. A sharp decline followed in 2021, bringing the market down to 71 698 t, after which it recovered to 83 286 t in 2022 and stabilized near 82 932 t in 2023.

At the beginning of this period, the market was characterized by established consumer demand for fresh, high-quality potatoes, particularly early summer varieties like 'Solist'. Growers emphasized the use of disease-resistant cultivars, proper planting density, and careful soil management to meet quality standards, which supported domestic production and shaped the availability of both local and imported varieties.

Domestic production showed significant volatility, rising from 58 030 t in 2018 to 88 390 t in 2020 before falling to 66 270 t in 2021. These production swings, along with varying import and export volumes, were reflected in the overall market volume movements throughout the period.

Production potato in Estonia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of potato, 2018-2021

World map of production of potato, 2018-2021

Estonia's potato production saw a decline after two consecutive years of growth. In 2021, production totaled 66 270 tonnes, marking a 25.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production increased by 14.2% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 88 390 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019 at 38.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Estonia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports potato from Estonia

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.5-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Estonia exported 2 819 tonnes of potatoes, representing a sharp decline of 49.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 420 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 554.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Estonia's potato exports in volume terms were Czechia (19.8% of exports), Poland (18.9%), and Finland (17.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 55.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market experienced notable volatility during this timeframe. Export values varied significantly, with a 6.8-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019. In 2021, potato exports from Estonia amounted to 531 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 44.8% decrease from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 2 038 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 578.0%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2020 at 52.8%.

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

During 2018–2021, the primary destinations for Estonia's potato exports in value terms were Czechia (24.7% of exports), Finland (17.5%), and Latvia (15.7%). These three countries collectively represented 57.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports potato to Estonia

Imports in kind, t

Import trends showed instability throughout the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020, while the highest occurred in 2019, with a 1.8-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Estonia imported 8 247 tonnes of potatoes, representing a 31.9% increase from the previous year. The minimum volume was 6 252 tonnes in 2020, and the maximum was 11 154 tonnes in 2019. The largest decline happened in 2020 at 44.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 34.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the main suppliers of potatoes to Estonia in volume terms were Finland (42.3% of imports), Italy (15.3%), and Lithuania (14.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 72.5% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Estonia imported potatoes worth 2 578 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep increase of 57.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 9.4% overall, equivalent to an average annual rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 1 641 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 3 582 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020 at 54.2%.

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

Throughout 2018–2021, the key sources for Estonia's potato imports in value terms were Finland (27.6% of imports), Italy (15.1%), and Lithuania (14.5%). These three countries together accounted for 57.3% of total import value.

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

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