Potato market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The Irish fresh potato market volume expanded from 354 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 464 thousand tonnes in 2019, a 31% increase. This growth was propelled by industry and EU-funded consumer promotion campaigns that revived demand, alongside the rising dominance of the Rooster variety, which accounted for 58% of plantings and became the preferred choice for households.

Market volume then contracted to 371 thousand tonnes in 2020 as the processing sector remained depressed, offsetting a pandemic-driven surge in fresh potato demand for home consumption. A strong recovery followed in 2021, with volume climbing to 476 thousand tonnes, supported by firm fresh markets in Europe and more active buying in the processing sector, while tight availability from increased stocks signaled sustained demand.

From 2022 onward, the market entered a period of decline, falling to 449 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 406 thousand tonnes in 2023. Successive weather shocks were the primary driver: drought and climate variability reduced yields by 10-15% in 2022, and poor conditions in 2023 further hampered harvests, causing shortages. Soaring input costs, including quadrupled electricity prices for cold storage, intensified pressure on growers, even as a €3.1 million government investment scheme aimed to bolster the seed and chipping potato sector.

Production potato in Ireland

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

In 2020, Ireland produced 300.2 thousand tonnes of potatoes, marking a 21.5% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 27.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 10.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 273.0 thousand tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 33.8% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2019 at 40.1%.

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

Exports potato from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Ireland's potato exports totaled 4,902 tonnes, down 10.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,700 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 5,444 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 41.4%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 220.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Ireland's potato exports in kind, accounting for 96.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Exports varied by 2.2 times, with the lowest point in 2018 and the highest in 2019. In 2020, Ireland's potato export volume amounted to 4,283 thousand US dollars, a 1.6% decrease compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,941 thousand US dollars, and the maximum in 2019 at 4,352 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 2.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 124.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in value terms was dominated by a single market: the United Kingdom, with a share of 95.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports potato to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Ireland's cross-border potato shipments declined. In 2020, Ireland imported 87,266 tonnes of potatoes, down 12.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 87,266 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom consistently accounted for 73.2% of total imports in kind, indicating a high concentration on this market, while the remainder was distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year uptick, Ireland's potato import volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 39,935 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp fall of 27.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 54,952 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 27.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (66.2% of imports in value terms), Belgium (13.1%), and France (5.2%) led the ranking of potato suppliers to Ireland, with their combined share reaching 84.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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