Potato market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European potato market volume showed relative stability from 2018 to 2020, hovering around 105 million tonnes. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 provided a notable boost to demand, as consumers increased purchases of storable fresh potatoes, supporting the market volume at 105.6 million tonnes that year.

Following a decline to 101.1 million tonnes in 2021, the market settled at a slightly lower level of 100-101 million tonnes in 2022 and 2023. During this period, rising production, processing, and packaging costs contributed to higher potato prices. Concurrently, expanded cultivation areas in major producing countries like Germany set the stage for increased future harvests, while growing intra-EU export demand, particularly for processing potatoes, helped balance the market.

Looking at 2024, key developments included a significant potato harvest in Germany driven by further area expansion and a marked consumer shift towards fresh table potatoes, leading to the highest per-capita consumption in over a decade. Weather conditions affected supply, keeping prices firm for processing potatoes, and segments like frozen potato products experienced rising demand from quick-service restaurants.

Production potato in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, M t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2020, Europe produced 105.2 million tonnes of potatoes, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 7.4%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 103.3 million tonnes, marking the largest decline of 9.1% that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 2.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, M t

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, Europe's potato production value experienced a downturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 212.8 billion US dollars, representing a significant drop of 28.9% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 8.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.9%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 299.4 billion US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 18.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Exports potato from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Europe's potato export volume continued to rise for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 5 156 thousand tonnes, reflecting a moderate year-on-year increase of 4.8%. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 3 487 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 37.2%. The following year, 2019, recorded the largest increase of 41.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for potato exports in kind remained highly fragmented. Egypt accounted for 1.4% of exports, Algeria for 1.2%, and Azerbaijan for 0.9%, with these three countries together making up just 3.5% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, potato export values from Europe declined. In 2020, export volume totaled 2 708 million US dollars, showing a substantial decrease of 16.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 226 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 24.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, potato export values from Europe were not heavily concentrated. Egypt represented 3.0% of exports in value terms, Algeria 2.3%, and Morocco 0.9%, with these three countries together capturing only 6.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's potato import volumes amounted to 5 535 thousand tonnes, up by 23.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 22.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 4 499 thousand tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 22.8%. In contrast, 2018 recorded the highest volume at 5 831 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 29.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of potatoes to Europe in kind were Egypt, accounting for 5.6% of imports, Israel with 1.7%, and Cyprus at 0.8%. Together, these three countries comprised 8.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of increase, Europe's potato import values declined. In 2020, imports totaled 2 847 million US dollars, down by 18.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.3%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.7%. The peak value was in 2019 at 3 503 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 28.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, the country structure for potato imports in value terms remained highly diversified. Egypt represented 7.5% of imports, Israel 3.1%, and Cyprus 1.7%, with these three countries together accounting for only 12.3% of total flows. The remaining 87.7% was formed by a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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