Potato market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, Ethiopia's potato market volume in thousand tons underwent a phase of contraction followed by recovery. Starting at 4 316 thousand tons, it fell to 3 813 thousand tons by 2020, then rebounded to over 4 100 thousand tons in 2022 before a slight decrease in 2023.

In value terms, the market demonstrated consistent growth, rising from 840 million USD in 2018 to 1 160 million USD in 2023. This increase occurred despite periodic dips in physical volume, suggesting changes in pricing or market structure.

With no imports and minimal exports, domestic production directly shaped market size, mirroring its fluctuations over the period.

Production potato in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Ethiopia ranked 19th globally in potato production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Ethiopia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3,845 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a slight decrease of 2.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4,344 thousand tonnes, which represented a 6.3% increase from the previous year. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with an 8.9% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, potato production in Ethiopia saw a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 867.9 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate decrease of 10.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 32.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 963.9 million US dollars, following a significant increase of 29.1% in 2018.

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

Exports potato from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.6-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2019. In 2020, potato exports from Ethiopia were recorded at 32,087 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 35.3% compared to 2019. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 49,580 tonnes, which represented a substantial increase of 78.4% from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, two countries—Djibouti and Somalia—accounted for the majority of Ethiopia's potato exports in volume, together representing 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Exports varied widely, with a fourfold difference between the trough in 2017 and the peak in 2019. In 2020, potato exports from Ethiopia were valued at 7,243 thousand US dollars, which is 40.0% lower than the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 12,076 thousand US dollars, following a dramatic increase of 123.2% from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Somalia and Djibouti were the two key markets for Ethiopia's potato exports in value terms, together accounting for 99.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

Noticeable fluctuations were observed in market performance during this period. Import volumes varied dramatically, with a 57-fold difference between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019. In 2020, potato imports into Ethiopia amounted to 12 tonnes, reflecting a decline of 69.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 tonne, which represented a 75.2% decrease from 2017. The maximum value was reached in 2019 at 38 tonnes, following an extraordinary increase of 5,560.5% from 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands remained the primary source for Ethiopia's potato imports in volume, with a share of 84.0% of total flows, while the remaining volume was distributed among numerous other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ethiopia's potato import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was recorded at 95 thousand US dollars, up by 255.3% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 1,117.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 130.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel (29.1% of imports in value terms), Italy (28.9% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (21.6% of imports in value terms) were the principal suppliers of potatoes to Ethiopia, jointly accounting for 79.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

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