Potato market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The Finnish potato market volume increased from 593.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 625.9 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was driven by strong consumer preference for domestic early potatoes, which arrived in stores as a key seasonal product and boosted overall demand for fresh potatoes.

From 2021 onward, the market contracted, falling to 497.2 thousand tons by 2023. This period saw a sustained reduction in market volume, reflecting challenges in production and consumption.

In 2024, potato blight control emerged as a significant factor, with research projects like PERUSTA investigating treatment methods. Consumer trends continued to favor domestic early potatoes, while geopolitical issues and energy costs influenced production expenses.

Production potato in Finland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Finland's potato production increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 624.4 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a 0.9% rise compared to 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 600.3 thousand tonnes, which represented a 1.9% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with production growing by 3.1%.

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

Exports potato from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Finland exported 7 288 tonnes of potatoes in 2020, showing a modest increase of 4.8% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 558 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2019 at 6 954 tonnes. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.7%, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, falling by 39.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 47.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Estonia, and Russia were the main buyers of Finnish potatoes, accounting for 63.7% of total exports by volume. Sweden led with 34.4% of exports, followed by Estonia at 15.2% and Russia at 14.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Finland's potato exports declined in value. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 114 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 55.4% year-on-year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 6 983 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 37.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 30.8%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sweden, Russia, and Estonia were the key partners for Finland's potato exports by value, together representing 69.4% of total flows. Sweden accounted for 39.8% of export value, Russia for 20.6%, and Estonia for 9.0%.

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

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

Imports potato to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Finland's potato imports showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market. In 2020, the country imported 4 737 tonnes of potatoes, a slight increase of 0.7% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 4 737 tonnes, while the peak was in 2017, with imports 2.4 times higher than the 2018 low. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 58.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2019, rising by 83.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands—together absorbed 79.3% of Finland's total potato imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Finland's potato imports increased in value. In 2020, imports reached approximately 5 011 thousand US dollars, a limited uptick of 9.9% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 559 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 31.2%, with an average annual decline of 11.7%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, falling by 34.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands formed the core of Finland's potato imports by value, together accounting for 73.6% of total flows. Sweden led with 47.2% of import value, followed by Denmark at 18.1% and the Netherlands at 8.3%.

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

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