Potato market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The potato market volume in the GCC region showed considerable variability between 2018 and 2023. It expanded sharply to over 1 422 thousand tons in 2019, then contracted to around 1 179 thousand tons in 2020. The following years saw a gradual recovery, with the market reaching 1 344 thousand tons in 2022 before a slight decline to 1 267 thousand tons in 2023.

Domestic production grew consistently from 535 thousand tons in 2018 to 656 thousand tons in 2023, reducing reliance on imports. Imports, however, remained a significant component, peaking at 916 thousand tons in 2019 and fluctuating thereafter, indicating changing supply dynamics and trade flows.

In 2024, the market was influenced by a record increase in potato production within the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia where output rose by 47%. This was accompanied by the entry of new processing and export companies, such as Al-Alamiya, which focused on meeting specific private-label and packaging requirements for GCC markets. Additionally, investments in cold chain logistics and smart agriculture technologies supported both supply efficiency and product quality.

Production potato in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, potato production in the GCC region rebounded. In 2020, production reached 598.4 K t, marking a significant 13.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 528.9 K t, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 1.8%.

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

Exports potato from GCC

Exports in kind, K t

The export market demonstrated considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 8.4 K t and peaked in 2020 at 27.9 K t, representing a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, potato exports from GCC countries increased by 23.9% compared to 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 at 45.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 169.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, potato exports in volume terms showed significant geographical diversification. Iraq accounted for 14.4% of exports, Sri Lanka for 2.0%, and Azerbaijan for 1.0%, with these three countries together representing just 17.4% of total export flows. The remaining 82.6% was distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export values exhibited irregular fluctuations, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2018, with export volumes varying 2.4 times between these years. In 2020, GCC countries exported potatoes worth 12.0 M $ US, representing a 15.4% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 24.7%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018 at 138.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical distribution of potato export values showed a balanced rather than concentrated pattern. Iraq accounted for 11.8% of export value, Afghanistan for 3.4%, and Azerbaijan for 3.3%, with these three countries together representing 18.5% of total export flows. The remaining 81.5% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports potato to GCC

Imports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, potato imports to GCC countries declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 608.6 K t, representing a 33.5% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 915.6 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred that same year at 50.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Pakistan, Egypt, and Lebanon formed the core group of potato import sources for GCC countries. Pakistan accounted for 35.2% of import volume, Egypt for 16.4%, and Lebanon for 12.6%, with these three countries together representing 64.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Potato import values to GCC countries increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 212.0 M $ US, showing a modest 7.1% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values grew by 4.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 193.7 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred that same year at 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Pakistan, and Lebanon consistently occupied leading positions in the value structure of potato imports to GCC countries. Egypt accounted for 19.2% of import value, Pakistan for 19.0%, and Lebanon for 12.5%, with these three countries together representing 50.6% of total import flows.

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

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