Potato market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek potato market opened the period with overproduction and ample warehouse stocks in 2018, which depressed prices. Imports of Egyptian potatoes added to the supply, compressing margins for local producers. Despite these pressures, market volume grew to 636 300 tons in 2019 before contracting to 576 700 tons in 2020.

A sustained drop in cultivation area led to a sharp production decline in 2021, pulling the market size down to 511 300 tons. Although yield per hectare rose due to more intensive farming systems, it could not offset the overall reduction. The market rebounded to 569 800 tons in 2022 largely through higher imports, but fell again to 498 000 tons in 2023 as domestic output plummeted further.

By 2024, drought and increased production costs limited domestic output to just over 300 000 tons, while potato imports from Egypt, Cyprus and France rose significantly. The practice of selling imported potatoes as Greek-labeled product exacerbated pressure on local growers, whose prices fell below production costs. With cultivation area shrinking below 10 000 hectares, the Greek potato sector faced severe economic strain.

Production potato in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2019, Greece produced 470.3 thousand tons of potatoes, but this figure dropped to 450.6 thousand tons in 2020, marking a 4.2% decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, potato production in Greece fell by 9.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 6.8% reduction, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 1.0%.

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

Exports potato from Greece

Exports in kind, K t

Potato exports from Greece have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 54.7 thousand tons, showing a strong increase of 15.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 45.4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 13.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 28.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 25.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase, with exports jumping by 69.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria were the top destinations for Greek potato exports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 31.1% of exports, Romania for 28.4%, and Bulgaria for 13.4%. Together, these three countries made up 72.9% of Greece's total potato export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The potato export market in Greece showed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 12.4 million US dollars, then peaked in 2019 at 24.3 million US dollars, representing a two-fold increase. In 2020, the value of potato exports fell to 17.0 million US dollars, a 30.0% drop from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 97.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria dominated Greece's potato exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 70.2% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports potato to Greece

Imports in kind, K t

Potato imports into Greece declined in 2020, totaling 180.8 thousand tons, which was a 15.3% decrease from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 146.5 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 213.3 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 17.7% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 45.6% rise.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Egypt, Cyprus, and France were the primary sources for potato imports into Greece in volume terms, together representing 78.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, potato imports into Greece decreased. In 2020, imports amounted to 73.2 million US dollars, down by 34.3% compared to 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 111.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 46.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Cyprus, and France were the main markets for potato imports into Greece in value terms, collectively making up 77.8% of total import value.

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

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