Potato market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the Italian fresh or chilled potato market volume fluctuated between 1.86 million tons and 2.03 million tons, reaching its highest point in 2020 before a slight dip and a subsequent recovery in 2023. In value terms, the market expanded from $870 million to $1.19 billion, with a pronounced surge in 2023 when the market value jumped by over 20% to nearly $1.2 billion.

Over this period, domestic potato production in Italy declined from 1.31 million tons to 1.27 million tons, while imports grew substantially from 639 000 tons to 865 000 tons. Exports remained relatively stable at a low level, fluctuating between 73 000 and 120 000 tons. The rising import volume, particularly the sharp increase in 2023, was a key contributor to the overall market size growth in both volume and value.

Production potato in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Italy's potato production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 435 K t of potatoes, marking a modest 7.2% rise compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.5%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 308 K t, when output fell by 2.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's potato production value has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 877.8 M $ US, up by 5.9% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 34.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.4%.

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

Exports potato from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's potato exports amounted to 84.9 K t, representing a significant drop of 29.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 27.8%, averaging an annual decline of 10.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 83.2 K t, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 120.5 K t, when exports surged by 44.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Poland were the top destinations for Italy's potato exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 34.3% of exports, France for 13.1%, and Poland for 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented 55.6% of Italy's total potato export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's potato export value stood at 52.0 M $ US, showing a sharp decline of 30.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 46.4 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 74.6 M $ US, when exports jumped by 61.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany, France, and Poland remained Italy's key partners in potato export value. Germany held 34.5% of exports, France 13.5%, and Poland 5.5%. Collectively, these countries accounted for 53.5% of Italy's total potato export value.

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

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

Imports potato to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Italy's potato imports declined in 2020. Import volume reached 612.4 K t, reflecting a moderate decrease of 9.6% year-over-year. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 677.2 K t, when imports increased by 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Italy's potato imports in volume terms. France contributed 43.7% of imports, Germany 19.1%, and the Netherlands 12.5%. Together, these three countries made up 75.3% of Italy's total potato import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's potato import value totaled 207.6 M $ US, indicating a decline of 21.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 187.8 M $ US, while the peak was in 2019 at 264.8 M $ US, when imports rose by 41.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany consistently led Italy's potato import structure in value terms. France accounted for 39.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 19.3%, and Germany for 13.0%. These three countries jointly represented 71.4% of Italy's total potato import value.

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

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