Potato market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German potato market expanded steadily from 7 625 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 10 412 thousand tonnes in 2020. This growth was initially supported by a shift in consumer preferences toward fresh potatoes, which began in 2018/2019. The trend accelerated in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a surge in demand for fresh potatoes for home consumption, with reported per capita consumption rising by 13.4% compared to the previous year.

After reaching its peak, the market contracted over the next two years, falling to 9 860 thousand tonnes in 2021 and further to 9 044 thousand tonnes in 2022. The decline in 2022 was largely attributable to extreme weather events, including heatwaves and drought, which adversely affected potato yields and quality. However, the market rebounded in 2023, reaching 9 738 thousand tonnes, driven by a record potato harvest of over 11.6 million tonnes and historically high per capita consumption of 63.5 kg.

Production potato in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany maintained the 6th position globally in potato production volume.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Germany's potato production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 11 715 K t of potatoes, marking a 10.5% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 921 K t, which represented the largest decline of 23.9%. The following year, in 2019, production rebounded with the largest increase of 18.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's potato output was valued at 2 240 M $ US, showing a significant decrease of 10.4% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 3.4%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 1 805 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 22.2%. In contrast, the highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 500 M $ US, with the largest increase of 38.5%.

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

Exports potato from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Germany's cross-border shipments of potatoes increased. In 2020, exports reached 1 988 K t, reflecting a moderate gain of 5.5% compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 1 885 K t, following the largest decline of 4.4% in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy were the top buyers of potatoes from Germany, accounting for 43.1%, 18.3%, and 6.8% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 68.2% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of potato exports from Germany totaled 380.1 M $ US, indicating a substantial fall of 14.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.5%, with an annualized rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 444.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 15.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy were the three principal markets for Germany's potato exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 58.7% of total exports.

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

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

Imports potato to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany imported 684 K t of potatoes in 2020, which was 10.5% lower year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 764 K t, which experienced the largest increase of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Egypt were the leading sources for potato imports to Germany in kind, with shares of 47.4%, 13.4%, and 10.8%, respectively. Together, they made up 71.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany imported potatoes worth 256.5 M $ US, corresponding to a dramatic decline of 28.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 241.1 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 359.1 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 48.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Spain consistently served as the main sources for potato imports to Germany in value terms, with shares of 32.4%, 17.5%, and 13.5%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 63.3% of total import flows.

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

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