Potato market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

Iran's fresh potato market volume showed modest growth to 3,073 thousand tons in 2019, supported by fresh supplies arriving from multiple regions like Gorgan and Isfahan, which helped maintain availability. However, a sharp contraction followed in 2020, with the market falling to 2,538 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by climatic damage that delayed the spring potato harvest, severely limiting domestic supply. Concurrently, a surge in exports further reduced the amount of product remaining for local consumption.

Market volume partially recovered to 2,660 thousand tons in 2021 as export volumes decreased from their peak. This shift coincided with rising concerns over uncontrolled exports, which authorities cited as a reason for potential market intervention. The following year, production plummeted, leading the market to shrink again to 2,468 thousand tons. In response to domestic shortages and price pressures, the government implemented a ban on potato exports and initiated a storage program across seven provinces to balance the market.

By 2023, the market volume had decreased further to 2,207 thousand tons. The overall period from 2018 was marked by a declining trend in domestic potato production, which was the fundamental driver behind the shrinking market size, despite various regulatory measures aimed at stabilizing supply.

Production potato in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran ranked 22nd globally in potato production.

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in Iran declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Iran produced 3 460 K t of potatoes, reflecting a slight decrease of 2.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.6%.

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

Exports potato from Iran

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest potato export volume was recorded in 2019 at 491.1 K t, while the highest was in 2020 at 923.3 K t, representing a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports increased by 88.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Iraq, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan—together accounted for 77.6% of Iran's total potato exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Iran's potato exports reached 126.8 M $ US, indicating a rise of 2.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 12.2%, with a CAGR of -4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 123.4 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 203.0 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 39.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a gain of 40.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Iraq (51.0% of exports in value terms), Afghanistan (16.1%), and Turkmenistan (15.4%) formed the core of Iran's potato exports by value, together accounting for 82.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Iran

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Potato imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Iran's potato import volume came to 1.8 K t, showing a sharp increase of 91.8% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 21.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (37.3% of imports in volume), Germany (36.1%), and Ireland (20.0%) were the largest suppliers of potatoes to Iran, together forming 93.4% of total imports in volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Potato imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, differing by 2.1 times. In 2020, Iran's potato imports were recorded at 3.5 M $ US, amounting to a dramatic gain of 87.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 20.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (39.5% of imports in value terms), Germany (38.0%), and Ireland (16.6%) formed the core of Iran's potato imports by value, together taking 94.1% of total flows.

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

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